Hi Denise and welcome! 
I absolutely agree, you need to see a back specialist. I had low back pain for 4 years, finally went to a highly recommended doc, who ordered an MRI and had me diagnosed immediately.
I just had an IDET on Monday and am still recovering, but am hoping to be finally free of this back pain for the first time in years.....
So there is hope. But first, you need to go to a specialist. Get a recommendation for the BEST one in your area, and wait as long as is necessary to get in to see them.
Good luck!  Telzey
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4 years of back pain, but was still able to work and maintain moderate activity (hiking, low-impact aerobic exercise)
Annular tear L5-S1 diagnosed 5/02 via MRI
IDET 12/2/02
1/26/03 Posterior disc prolapse occurs after sitting too long after walking. Causes new pain down left leg.
3/1/03 Leg pain reduced with exercises from the book "Treat Your Own Back" by Robin McKenzie.
3/9/03 Severe, new buttock and thigh pain and numbness starts.
3/25/03 Used McKenzie techniques to treat buttock and thigh pain -- pain reduced
4/4/03 Started physical therapy
5/8/03 Still worse than pre-IDET, but showing slow improvement with PT, McKenzie exercises, yoga, and Hanna Somatics exercises
5/30/03 PT suggests buttock and thigh pain may be from facet joint
7/6/03 Still worse than pre-IDET due to leg and thigh pain and numbness, and have become so inactive I can't tell whether back pain is better. Can't stand for any length of time, can't walk long, run at all, or do any aerobic activity. I regret agreeing to the IDET and wish I had had more patience with the natural healing process of my disc!
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severe back pain 
Linear Mode
