Hi, I don't have much advice but I just wanted to say I'm sorry they are having trouble identifying the source of your pain. Don't give up. Try another doctor. Your NS is very honest and helpful in helping you manage the pain but it doesn't mean that another doctor can't help you.

I would think some will tell you to have your NS refer you to a Pain Mgmt specialist. It doesn't mean a life of drugs but they may be able to offer you other pain mgmt options.

In the meantime, has the NS sent you to PT to at least teach you how to keep your core muscles strong? There are also tips to 'unload' the stress on the discs that might offer you some relief.

I would avoid bending, twisting, lifting...all things that irritate the situation.

I hope you are able to get an answer...don't give up. We all know the pain you are having is real. Just because they don't have tests to prove anything doesn't mean it isn't there. It just means the surgeon is wise and doesn't want to operate as 'exploratory' because that has it's own risks.

I agree with DNice. I think a pain Dr would be of help to you. Also, maybe you should get a second opinion. Maybe try an Ortho and see what happens with that appt. It never hurts to have a second opinion, especially if your current NS has nothing to offer you except meds.
I dont have much to offer you, except encouraging words. I hope you can find some answers to your pain. Take Care, Robin

I just wanted to offer you some encouragement. Pain management doctors have a *lot* of tricks up their sleeves and many are great diagnosticians, so I feel confident that the right doctor can diagnose what is going on and come up with a targeted treatment to hopefully get you feeling better.

I'd recommend finding a pain management specialist who is a board certified physiatrist.

Best of luck, and just know that there is help and hope

It would be good to get a referral from your Primary Dr. to a Pain Management Dr. as stated above in another post. The PM Dr. can assess your back properly and may be able to help you.
One thing though I know it's hard not to cross your legs but best if you don't and use a small stool under your feet while sitting at a desk or 2 phone books. I use a small plastic stool from the dollar store and it takes the pressure off the back. Take care. Charry

I'm sorry it has taken a while to get back to these replies. I appreciate the input and encouragement.

I have actually been to the Pain Management doc, he gave me a shot in the disc area and it seemed to help. Then he started to talk about cutting the nerve as a possibility to relieve the pain. However when he did it the same procedure the second time, just to be sure... it rendered my right leg useless for about 2 days. I couldn't put pressure on it. After that went away I did have some relief. But since the result was "questionable" he refused to do anything further. He then began harping on the fact I am on strong meds and that was that~

I saw a Ortho Surgeon who said he did not think the muscle tear had anything to do with my low back pain. That was that!

Then I did go see a 2nd Ortho Doc who did more sports type injuries and he gave me a shot into my rear-end, about in the center. It was a bit helpful but I am worried about getting this type of shot too often. So I am still just the way I am and have been.

Now I found out that SSDI denied my reconsideration request, but NEVER notified me or my attorney! So I have to request an appeal and ask for "Just Cause" to see the Administrative Law Judge for a hearing. Apparently this was decided in JULY 09!! Despite my atty sending records, address changes and such AFTER July. Only when she called them in March 2010 did they say it was a closed case. Remember this is my second time around in a filing, but all these months have been wasted.

I can't imagine what people do who can't work and don't have family to help them~ My son and I would be homeless if not for my family. We live on his Child support and that's all.

And I do try to keep my feet up on a stool when I sit and am at the point where I just don't go anywhere if I know I have to walk more than 10 minutes or so. I haven't' been to a mall in years, don't go grocery shopping and such. And at the same time I know I don't get enough physical activity. I am only a little over 100 lbs and the meds take away my appetite.

It's not easy to manage and incorporate taking care of myself in to my days the way I should when my son and granddaughter ( who lives here) need so much. I do for them first and then just collapse at night and do very little for myself. It's a horrible and unhealthy cycle. But very hard to break.

Thanks again for listening to me whine. I did get a private message from someone with the same type of symptoms and maybe he and I can come up with some more ideas or thoughts for each other too.

Peace and Happy Spring to all.

I tried to read all the posts, but I'm in a hurry---did you say you have or had not had a discogram yet? Perhaps you have a leaking disc or two?

And so sorry about being denied the SSDI. What a b*tch.