Question
I have been to see 2 neurosurgeons because lower back pain and nerve damage from accident I recieved at work.  First Dr said that I need surgery to relieve pressure on nerve and then I can go back to doing same job, but work comp wanted 2nd opinion so sent to their Dr and he said that nerve damage was not bad enough for surgery just need to take medicine.  I do not like pain meds that were given...to strong so they gave me Lyrica...which I thought was for fibromyalgia or nerve pain caused by diabetes or shingles...it also has a lot of side effects.  They told me before all this that if the opinions were different that I could see a 3rd Dr to find out which one he agrees with but now they just want me to take meds.  I do not want to take meds.  If it is something that can be fixed by surgery then fix it. If surgery will not help then what will other than meds? The first Dr says that work comp just wants him to give meds and keep pts happy and they do not give him any problems but when someone is really hurt and needs surgery they make it so hard to get it that they usually give up and give in and if I can't take meds then he will have to release me b/c the ins will not allow him to help me any other way.  What should I do?  Should I give in and take these meds? WIll the Lyrica help? (the side effects are terrible) Should I fight to get that 3rd opinion?

Answer
The key to getting the outcome you want is to ask the right questions.

If your real question, here, is, "What can I do to heal my condition?"

the answers I recommend take the form of articles I have prepared.

See somatics.com/back_pain.htm
somatics.com/back_pain_Q&A.htm
somatics.com/whiplash.htm

If your real questions are about pain meds or seeing another physician, that's outside my scope of expertise.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold