Ugh! I am SO irritated right now! I have been having pretty bad low back and had an MRI done several weeks ago. I have 3 bulging discs, an annular tear, and an atypical hemangiona (whatever that is). Had a consult with spine specialist today who actually lectured me for about 20-30 minutes about the pain meds I’m on thru my rheumatologist and how I should wean off of them and how their office could help me do that! He said I shouldn’t be having the amount of pain I do and if I got off my meds I’d probably be 90% better. Are you kidding me? I can’t imagine NOT having any pain control. I was hoping to maybe get an epidural and instead I got a lecture. I’ve never experienced anything like this before! I definitely will not be returning to that doctor. So discouraging 
HI mrsg,
They must have had one of their techniques in mind? I know that these particular Doctors have helped many people, however I have been to 5 different ones, they are very fast talking, pushy, and don't tell you much except their way is the best way and that they can help you! And maybe they can, however it is always best if you know ALL of their procedures, and can figure out that every procedure they do has it's limits, so then they go to other procedures, much more drastic, costly, painful measures.
My biggest problem was that they could never get me numb for these long needles they inject into your nerve root in the spinal cord, and it ended up only making me much, much worse! It's a wonder I don't have them broken off inside me, the way I jumped and screamed. Perhaps they never took the time to get me numb, like my Dentist does, but I pray to God every day that I will NEVER have to ever go back!
My Rheumatologist has no problem with me taking up to 30 MG of morphine at a time for severe pain, however he did warn me that the Oxaprozin has to be cut back to 1200 mg a day as they will cause kidney and liver damage. They are just like super advil.
BTW, of all the procedures, the epiderals helped more than anything, but there are some risks there too, always are, I know! They want to put you on such a low dose pain med that you HAVE to have their procedures, that's where their big money is! Well, if I'm gonna take a pain med, I want to take enough to actually help! Otherwise, why bother? Slippery bunch, in my personal opinion.
I hope you can get some relief, my Rheum prescribed a spray for me, Ethyl Chloride, it is an anestethic, and it numbs you for a couple of hours, doesn't take all the pain away, nothing does, but it surely helps and makes it possible to take short trips in the car when I absolutely have to!
Back pain is just the worst, I have Spinal stenosis, DDD, DFD, joint damage,(the SI joints being the worst) bulging discs, discs collapsed on one side or the other, Scoliosis... all as a result of being rear-ended in car accidents, Psoriatic Arthritis, the spondylitis type, which means that though this autoimmune disease attacks every cell of the body, it's primary aim is the spine!
I feel for you girlfriend! Hope you can find some substantial relief somewhere!
Mrsg,
I am very sorry you had such a negative pain management appointment. My pain specialist is a spine specialist and they are very proactive, not only with medications but additional therapies. I have though been to my share of discouraging medical providers. I hope you won't think all spine specialist are negative and rude. I don't know where I would be without mine. Maybe your Rheumatologist could recommend someone else? I know how painful bulging discs can be, I really hope you get some relief soon.
I have 5 bulging disc and I had a tear on right shoulder, that thank God was repair. Before the repair I couldn’t move my arm at all, and now it’s perfect. I don’t know where you leave, but the Dr. That help me with my tear is a Dr. From Colombia Presbyterian in NY. Really good doctor. Now, for my bulging disks I went to a new pain management that gave me Butrans patches for the pain. And no complains about the patches at all. The patches stays in the area where u put them for 7 days. You don’t have to remember to take any meds.
I hope you find some Dr. That could help you. I know your pain.
Soft and caring hugs.
http://www.drugs.com/pro/butrans-patch.html
Hi yndidav,
Glad you have a good PM Doctor, I surely missed on that one, unless I am just one of those people who was simply not helped by the procedures. I have heard of others getting good results with this Butran's Patch. So sorry about your back, it's not a pleasant experience to have this kind of pain!
Wishing you all well,
SK
I understand! I had a rheumatologist want a urine sample without even asking about my symptoms. And the spine surgeon just told me my back pain will just “go away” when the. MRI showed bulging discs on 5 different vertebrae. Its so hard to get help even from physicians. Keep looking for someone who will at least listen and try to understand what helps and what doesn’t. Good luck!
Please let the doctor know all of this!!! He needs to learn that fibro is painful and getting off meds does not work most of the time. The bulging discs and annular tear alone are enuff to need meds. Sheesh! Set this dope straight.
Thank you all for the support and advice! You all are wonderful 
Grrrrrr sounds too familiar! So sympathetic some docs not! Just ignore ones like that and visit the ones who help. I’ve had to put mine in check so many times. Another option which actually works if you have to be confrontational. Something we’d rather do without when we’re in so much pain and heavily fatigued.
Good luck! They will listen!