ive had chronic pain for over 10 years. i have degenerative disc disease which cost me my job in december. i had many mris over the last 10 years and the latest shows improvement but the pain is still excruciating. can time and rest improve degenerative disc disease? i spend all my time in bed,when i get up the pain intensifies and ive fallen many times. both my knees are shot and i have a herniated disc in my neck. ive tried physical therapy but it didnt help. i lost most of my friends and my marriage from being so miserable all the time. i was on oxycontin for many years but my doctor had legal trouble and cut me off. my pain hasnt gone away just because he got sued. he use to be compassionate and caring but now its like he doesnt care. im worried if i go to another doctor he or she will think im just a drug seeker.i just want pain relief and to be normal again. does anyone have any advice for me?i dont know what to do.
Q: recent mri shows improvement but pain is worse than ever
I think you have to look for another doctor. If your doctor had legal troubles because he was over prescribing pain killers then he's not the right one for your situation. This drug can be prescribed long term for patients who need it. You have a long term problem with pain; other pain killers don't work, this one does - you have a great case to make for using this drug.
I suggest you try and find someone who specializes in pain - a pain specialist. Perhaps there's a pain center in your city. With your pain problems this is the kind of physician you need.
At the bottom of the below URL there's a box you can fill in to find pain specialists in your area.
http://www.pain.com/
Good luck!
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