Much, much, much easier said than done! Especially when you’ve tried every procedure over the last 20 years and pain meds are the only thing that really helps. This bullshit political war on opiates/opioids is killing us chronic pain sufferers. I don’t care how many drug abusers are addicted or die from overdosing. The millions suffering from chronic pain should come before the 115 opioid over dose deaths every day, from people breaking the law! Sorry but 3 years of no pain control has robbed me of my Compassion.

@A MyChronicPainTeam Member Hi Diane, welcome to the group. Sciatica sure hurts, I know that one. Sciatica is from a pinched nerve. Instead of covering it with pain meds that really don't work unless you take enough to kill a horse, the best way to treat it is to reduce the inflammation. (swelling that irritates the nerves). If Anti-inflammatories (Advil, Aleve) don't work then the next step is injections to reduce the inflammation. Then the next step is surgery. If you are looking only for pain pills you might not have a chance for relief.
When you say just a phone call: does that mean you haven't been to a doctor lately? been to a doctor so they could do tests and such? After 13 yrs. there are many changes and improvements of what can be done. I'm sorry you hurt but you can't live in the past. What was used then has changed. It sounds like you have been talking to people and using their experience instead of getting treatment for you. I'm sure this isn't what you wanted to hear but please give it a thought. After you see an up to date doctor they can probably refer you to one that uses other treatments, like meds, but need to know your full history and possibly old dr. records. Work with them and you 'll be amazed. xo

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A MyChron...

Depends on what kind of injection. for some the pain med in the spine can work wonders, others of us, not so much.

I totally understand. It's sad that if you have real pain it becomes a real problem to get the medicines that you need to function or just feel better.

If you’ve had a pain management doctor that never offered steroid injections, spinal blocks, ablation etc etc? Then it’s a miracle. I’ve seen a few PM doctors over the years and injections are their first and most often used treatments. The bad thing is that it’s part of the game! It’s where they make their money so if you want/need pain meds you’ll get occasional injections. They mark off a room for injections that becomes a “surgical center” that’s one room down from your exam room. That way they can bill for all sorts of things! I don’t really have a problem with doing what the doctors say if it helps in any way. I had dozens of injections and only had one that ever had immediate and lasting affects. It’s really tough for people like me that have tried everything over the last 20 years and pain meds are the only thing that helps. Going to a new doctor they want to try everything and when you say pain meds are the only thing that helps, you immediately become a drug seeker.