Lower Back and hip pain

Sorespot · 03-09-2004, 08:40 AM

Hi all ,
I am new to this board . I have read through most the posts on this topic.
I'm hoping I can get some information.

I have been experiencing pain in my lower back and lefthip for several years since I slipped and fell on ice. I have also fallen about 5 times in the last 3 yrs.
I have been to the Dr's and had xrays done and they always tell me they are normal.Or that they think I have a pulled muscle and give me pain meds. I have back pain 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Last week it really started hurting me alot. So I went to the chiropractor(bosses idea) in hopes that it was just my back and hip being out of allignment. Right after I left the chiropractor it started hurting worse than it did before I went.
I am in constant pain . It doesn't stop hurting even when I sit.I can't sleep because it hurts so much. I have taken over the counter pain meds but they are not working. My job requires me to stand almost the whole time.

Heres my dillema.. The last Dr I went to told me I should get an MRI done. But I had been in the ER for 5 hrs already and was really tired and irritated.
I don't have insurance at all.
So I have 3 questions.. What could be causing my back and hip pain? How much do MRI's cost in Texas ( where Im from) , and is there a program I could sign up for for a discounted MRI price?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Josie115 · 03-09-2004, 11:35 AM

Wow, you are in need of some advice here. I can't tell you about lack of insurance and costs of mri's but I can tell you that you'll need one. I have the same pain it sounds like that you do. I've had the mri's and plain ole regular exrays.. I have ddd in the L4-5, S1. I also have it in the thoracic area and all the other things that go along with it. Narrowing, spondy, spurs etc. I am opting at the moment for pain managment and as long as I can walk and sleep, will put surgery off. I had herniated discs 20 years ago. I am getting good pain management from my doctor. I would see if you could find a decent doc with pain managment experience to work with you. One way or another you will need the mri. Go to the pain managment board and read the posts there. Someone will be along with good advice about getting treatment. Good luck.

Sorespot · 03-09-2004, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josie115

Wow, you are in need of some advice here. I can't tell you about lack of insurance and costs of mri's but I can tell you that you'll need one. I have the same pain it sounds like that you do. I've had the mri's and plain ole regular exrays.. I have ddd in the L4-5, S1. I also have it in the thoracic area and all the other things that go along with it. Narrowing, spondy, spurs etc. I am opting at the moment for pain managment and as long as I can walk and sleep, will put surgery off. I had herniated discs 20 years ago. I am getting good pain management from my doctor. I would see if you could find a decent doc with pain managment experience to work with you. One way or another you will need the mri. Go to the pain managment board and read the posts there. Someone will be along with good advice about getting treatment. Good luck.

Thank you for your input. it is greatly appreciated. i called around to all the MRI Centers here in my town and they all quoted me a price of $1600.00 with no hidden fees / with radiologist fees included. So I guess thats out.
I am going over to the pain management board to see if I can get some ideas on how to lessen the pain until i can afford this MRI.
May God bless you and Keep you safe.

Sore Spot

jbabbit · 03-11-2004, 11:08 PM

I live in Texas and Im not sure where you live but I live in Southeast Texas and for people that do not have insurance around here the Dr will refer you to Galveston University Medical Center and they will do testing there. Ask your dr to help you out with that. If you are not around here maybe where you're at there is another public hospital that you can be referred to.

sivyaleah · 03-12-2004, 02:29 PM

I also recommend finding yourself a doctor who will help with pain management. I have a similar problem which also has no clear cause, tho I was found to have a congenital narrowing of the lower spinal column with a small bone spur and small herniated disk. My prior orthopedist was very medication averse. I finally dumped him and found another. After looking over my charts, films, etc he put me on Arthrotec 2 times a day and Neurontin at night which has helped more than I could have hoped for. Finding the right fit between doctor and patient is a key element to getting better and/or well.

Good luck!
Laurie