About a year and a half ago, I had been having 2-3 wk periods where I was incapable of doing any thing as far as motion due to back and leg pain every few months. My then Gp sent me for an MRI which found a concentric bulging disc at L4-5 after several episodes. I was then diagnosed with DDD.

I have done 3 rounds of PT, and they only made it worse instead of better-the electric stimulation unit caused some serios agony-even at the lowest setting, so I refused that part after the first time. I did all the little exercises, and deep breathing, and even some traction. (6wks x 3 rotations.)

About 3 months ago, my back started up again, and the pain was more severe than ever-I went to my new GP -after the pain did not get any better even with rest and painkillers (those helped considerably in the past.) She sent me for a new Mri. (below)

I can't seem to do any of my normal activities-housework, standing, walking, or sitting without a huge increase in the pain

I get low back pain, and pain in my buttocks which shoots down both legs. Also get some mid-back pain, but the low back is much worse. About 8 wks ago, my bladder and bowels started leaking a bit as well. And the last 2 wks or so, it has been difficult to empty them.

The pain is also causing my BP to skyrocket as well-usually 90/50-now138/87

I am 31 yrs old, 6 ft, and 198lbs, and also suffer from fibromyalgia.
Any advice?

Will update after I get the report from the thoracic MRI on thurs.

I got this report 2 weeks ago from the MRI I had done a month ago.

MRI lumbar spine:

Multiplanar sequencing performed. No IV contrast administered.

Indication: Radiculopathy. Low back pain

Findings: There is disc desiccation involving L3-4, L4-5. There is no evidence of focal vertebral body height loss or marrow edema. The conus appears to be high riding and is higher than T12. I would reccomend correlation with thoracic spine MRI to delineate the conus and it's integrity.

L1-2: There is no evidence of disc protrusion. There is mild facet hypertrophy. There is sparing of the neural foramina and no central spine stenosis.

L2-3: There is no evidence of disc protrusion. There is mild facet hypertrophy. There is sparing of the neural foramina and no central spine stenosis.

L3-4: Broad-based posterior disc bulge and mild thecal sac deformity. There is facet hypertrophy and ligamentum flavium thickening. There is mild bilateral neural foraminal encroachment and no central spinal canal stenosis.

L4-5: Broad-based posterior disc bulge. There is facet hypertrophy and ligamentum flavium thickening. There is sparing of the neural foramina and mild central spinal canal stenosis.

L5-S1: There is epidural lipomatosis. There is broad-based posterior disc bulge. There is facet hypertrophy and ligamentum flavium thickening.There is sparing of the neural foramina and mild central spinal canal narrowing primarily due to epidural lipomatosis.

Impression: The conus higher than T12. Correlation with thoracic MRI advised. Mild degenerative features otherwise outlined as described above.