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ChronicPainConnection.com

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Tuesday, December, 01, 2009
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I have arthritis, or degenerative disc disease, of my lower back also.  Degenerative disc disease is considered a type of arthritis, and I believe that is probably what you have.  I've had 3 back sugeries, two for a herniated disc at level L4-L5 (the disc between the lumbar disc #4 and #5), and after the nerve pain came back, in my legs, back and arms, my doctors came up with other diagnoses.  A few doctors told me my pain is nerve damage from chronic exposure (over 16 years) to chemical solvents on my job (I was an industrial lab tech).  Basically, I am in chronic pain with sharp pains shooting down my legs and arms, with burning, and "pins and needles" type pain also.  My third surgery was an implantation of a spinal neurostimulator to help ease the pain in my back and legs.  This was in 2002; it worked well for about 6 months, now it is worthless.  In my opinion, don't let any doctor talk you into having this device implanted in your spine.  Like you, I am on Neurontin (gabapentin), 900 mg. three times a day.  You have to get the 600 mg. tablets and take 1 and a half (they break apart very easily).  This does help ease my pain, decreasing the "shooting" and "stabbing" type pain.  I had been taking Lyrica (something new like Neurontin), but I had a very bad reaction from it due to taking an antidepressant with it (Pamelor).  I now take Cymbalta, an antidepressant.  This drug is also prescribed for neuropathic pain.  This medicine also helps.  With mild opioid pain medications also, taken strictly according to my doctor's directions, I am able to function very well.  It takes many months, sometimes years, to come up with a plan with a good pain management doctor that is effective.  Yours pain profile may not be as complicated as mine (I hope it is not), so maybe just one or two of the meds I take may help you considerably (or maybe different meds may be more helpful).  It is important to note that I had XRays, CAT scans, MRIs, myelograms, and nerve conduction studies to diagnose and properly treat my chronic pain.  I suggest you find a good Pain Management Doctor, have all the necessary tests, and receive the proper, effective medications.  Physical therapy is very, very helpful. But do not see a chiropractor.  In my opinion, the most serious problem they can handle is maybe a pulled muscle.  Remember, chiropractors call themselves "doctors", but they did not go to medical school!  I saw one, and he really messed up my back so bad, I had to have the second surgery I mentioned before.  All the diagnostic tests you will receive will help zero in on the cause of your pain, and then, with hope, successful treatment will result. 
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