29F L5-S1 herniated disc & spondylosis
I’m honestly starting to lose faith and could really use advice from anyone who has dealt with chronic lumbar back pain.
I’ve done physical therapy, lumbar epidural steroid injections, medial branch block injections, medications like gabapentin and muscle relaxers, and even hydrocodone/oxycodone and none of it has helped. The pain is constant and centered in my low back/butt area. Sitting, bending backward, standing too long… basically every position eventually makes it worse.
What’s frustrating is that the pain doesn’t really radiate down my leg like classic sciatica. It just stays deep in my back and never lets up. Even the injections that were supposed to “confirm” things didn’t provide relief.
At this point I feel stuck mentally and physically. After seeing 6 different medical professionals, I’ve stated to lose all faith. I’m exhausted from trying things that don’t work and hearing “give it more time.” One spine specialist told me that I should consider an artificial disc replacement in my 30’s. I’m currently 29 and don’t understand why I need to be in this amount of pain for years before something is done. Has anyone been through something similar and eventually found answers or relief? Different diagnoses, treatments, lifestyle changes, specialists, exercises, literally anything.
I’m not looking for miracle cures, just hoping to hear from people who understand this because it’s getting hard to stay optimistic. Any advice is greatly appreciated.