Question
i was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc ( lumbar) when i was 17, i am now 27.  Since then i have had problems on and off but for the past year i have had a severe bout of pain to the point where i cannot walk or hold my own weight.  i struggle with sitting and sleeping at night.  This has happened every 3 months since last november.  usually i am back to normal within 3 weeks.  i had another MRI scan in november 2005 which showed the disc was still prolapsed and showed as black on the scan for about 2-3 of my lower discs. At the moment i am walking ok but not for long and still cannot move my back very much without severe pain. the pain also appears down my legs and in my bottom around my cocyx.  this is the fourth week now and I am still off work as I have quite a busy job with lots of driving, stairs and carrying folders ( I am a college lecturer).
i am also a dance teacher but have been unable to take part in any classes since this pain started.  I have started having accupuncture to see if that helps. The specialist says he wont operate on me as I am young and it probably wouldn't make any difference. When my back is really bad and i have to lie down i get pains in my stomach - it aches and hurts when i breathe. ( feels as though all my organs have sunk to the bottom).
I have been takin co-codomol,ibroprufen and muscle relaxants.I have also been wearing heat packs to comfort my back. These tablets have helped a bit but i am relunctant to become reliant on these long term. i also have problems in my right shoulder with pain and was given steroid injections 4 times to see if it got rid of it. I have sdtarted having pain again after about 6 months of being relatively pain free.

I am young and at the moment i feel my life revolves around my back and i cant do things with worry of my back going again.  surely after 10 years of this there must be something that can be done.  I feel that none of the doctors are interested.I dont want to wait until i am older as it is affecting my life now.  The pain was so bad last week that I was asking my husband whther or not we should call ambulance,  i was screaming in pain and I never do that.
please help me to understand what my options are and what your view is.
thank you for your time
catherine

Answer
Without a proper exam I am just speculating, but it sounds like the bulge in the disc is causing a lot of your problems.  If a surgeon told you he won't operate, it must not be that bad of a disc.  I would have to see the MRI to make a more accurate diagnosis.  You are correct in not wanting to get "hooked" on the medications, they can do a lot of damage to your system.  I strongly suggest getting an evaluation from a chiropractor.  I am part of a group of chiropractors located all over the world that use a low force technique (little "popping/cracking") to help with situations like yours.  If you are interested, go to www.sorsi.com to locate a doctor near you.  If you are in Minnesota near the Twin Cities or if you have any other questions or concerns, please email me.

Dr. Starbuck