It started about 5 months ago when I was splitting wood and got a burning sensation throughout my back. It has been off and on ever since then, more on then off unfortunately. The pain starts in my lower back and goes up on each side of the spine in between the shoulder blades. On the days where it isnt as painful, it is extremly stiff throughout my whole back. On other days I have the same burning sensation as when it started along with shooting aching pain in my lower and middle back. I originally went to my primary care physician and it was diagnosed as a back sprain/strain. I went back to him several times as it would not go away. He then referred me to an orthopedic. Ive had an X-ray and MRI done. The first orthopedic’s diagnosis was muscular.(ie- muscle spasms) I’ve been through PT, Chiropractor, Tenz unit, and SEVERAL meds. The only meds that have helped is a combination of 800mg IBprof. and a generic pain killer. The Orthopedic basically told me I was fine and nothing was wrong with me, and that he still thought it was muscular and it would just go away one day. (This is after 4 months of dealing with it.) Not to mention I dont think this doctor liked cops, as he was rather rude to me. He basically told me the medicine he prescribed (Neurontin, Robaxin, Tramadol, Flexeril) should be working and that he ” didnt feel comfortable giving a cop a narcotic.” He said he would send me to a pain management doctor(Phychiatrist). This isnt mental and I just want the pain to go away. I would be perfectly fine if I didnt have to pop another pill.

I then went to another doctor who believed it may be arthritis. (Im 26yrs old!) She gave me indomethacin and stated if it worked she wanted to run some more tests. Well of course the medicine didnt.

I then went to another orthopedic who works in the same doctors office as the first one to get a 3rd opinion. He doesnt see anything in the MRI and wants to get a Bone Scan. He basically told me that if nothing shows up in the bone scan there’s nothing that can be done and I would just have to minimize the pain myself.

I dont want anything to be seriously wrong, I just want to pinpoint the problem and fix it. Being a cop, our schedules are crazy as is and Im only averaging about 3-4hrs a night/day. This is not only affecting my personal life, its also affecting my work.

At this point I am so lost. I have been athletic all my life and have always healed from injuries. I feel as though nobody believes me. Doctors take 2 minutes to look at the films and just say “your fine”. If any one has any suggestions or has dealt with something similar please let me know what you did. ANY help would be greatly appriciated.

Again, sorry for the long post.

The Ultram online