Question
I have suffered with low back pain for over twenty years.  Getting anyone to believe that my pain is severe and dibilitating has been a constant struggle.  In the last few years, it has progressed to the point where I am always aware of it.  Sleeping is a nightmare, getting out of the bed is even worse.  I know through previous testing that I now have sacrilization at L5-S1 (the last radiologist reported that I didn't even have an L5!), I have subluxation and scoliosis, a disc herniation at L4-L5, and spondylosis.  The herniated disc at L5-S1 has apparently disappeared along with the disc.  It's all so frustratng!  All they ever want to do is take the same x-rays and MRI's over and over, with different results every time.  I take so much OTC medicine that God forbid I should bump myself, the bruise bleeds for days!  I have now resorted to seedy drug deals by my friendly neighborhood crack-head in order to get some refief from the pain!  What kills me is how an obvious drug addict can get pain medication but I can't.  How do all these people get scripts for vicodin, lortab, etc., just to get high when I need something for real honest to God pain?  It's wrecking my life.  I've lost jobs and am currently employed only part time.  I can't work effectively because of chronic sleep deprivation.  The good news is my nerves are so damaged that I no longer have sciatica.

Answer
Hi Jeannie,
I am so sorry that you are in such pain and on top of that being victimized by the system.
I need to know a little bit more about your situation before I can give you adequate advice. What kind of doctor's have you been going to? A lot of doctors do not know enough about pain management or has ancient, outdated ideas about pain management so a lot of times it's best to go to a pain management specialist.
How much of your history of pain is documented? You will usually need a well documented history in order to get in to see a good reputable pain specialist.
Does your pain have a diagnosed cause? A lot of doctors are very shy about prescribing pain killers for pain that they can not find the cause of.
Have you ever been labeled a 'Drug seeker' by a local hospital, other doctors or local authorities? This is a real problem for undertreated pain patients. People who are having trouble getting relief from their pain will often do things that are considered 'Drug seeking behavior' like doctor shopping, frequent trips to the emergency room looking for pain medicine, is preoccupied with obtaining pain medicine, asking for a medicine by name and even buying drugs off the streets. It is called 'Pseudoaddiction'. It is not exactly the drugs people in pain are looking for, it's relief from the pain they really want. Most doctors don't understand pseudoaddiction or don't believe it exists. Once it gets documented in a patient's file, it becomes even harder for this person to get pain relief.
The best advice I can give you right now is to just keep going to doctors until you find one who will believe you, although that is considered 'doctor shopping'.
Remember, it is your right to ask for and receive medicine to get relief from your pain.
You can e-mail me at [email protected] and I may be able to give you better advice that will help you get the pain relief you need.
Tracy
P.S Here is a website that you might want to check out;
http://www.painfoundation.org/PainAid/page.asp?file=page_home.htm

And here is a website that might be helpful in finding a pain specialist in your area;
http://www.painmed.org/membership/