It started during my second pregnancy and went away a couple months after the birth of my son. Then it returned when I was pregnant with my 3rd child and got rapidly worst. After my daughter was born it just continued to get a lot worst. I had an MRI and was told I had Degenerative Disc Disease. I’ve been able to get a little physical therapy, unfortunately not a lot due to the lack of insurance. The pain has now spread to my hip. I don’t know if the pain in my hip is connected to the back pain or if it’s something completely different. But I’ve started having a hard time walking and try really hard not to leave the house because I’m so scared of having a pain attack out in public. I’m only 28 years old and have developed horrible depression from being in so much pain. I have kind of gotten used to the constant pain and have been able to manage it with pain meds, unfortunately the pain attacks are so intense I haven’t been able to get relief. I took percocet for the pain and then the doctor added extra oxycodone in addition because after 8 months I became tolerant, plus the pain increased. She recently suggested prescribing oxycontin but I’d prefer not to go that route. I’m hoping with insurance and physical therapy I can start getting relief and wean off the narcotics. I also take muscle relaxers and naproxen, plus anti-depressants. She also put me on Lyrica. I’m having some bad side affects but I’ve only been on it for a few days so I’m hoping they get more mild, I haven’t noticed a difference in the pain yet. I’ve also tried marijuana but didn’t really feel it helped me too much, maybe to be able to sleep at night. I’ve tried ice packs, hot baths, icy hot, tiger balm, ibuprofen, herbal teas, juicing, deep breathing, meditation. Flexeril completely knocks me out so I had to stop taking it.

I’d like to find a doctor who will help me get better control of the pain and give advice on what I can do other then just keep taking more pills. I’ve been doing yoga and stretching but I’m still having a lot of pain. I’d like a doctor who isn’t opposed to painkillers either. I’m hoping to find other ways to get pain control, but untill that happens I have a 3 year old, 2 year old, and 8 month old with a husband who works 75 hours a week and absolutely no one to help me. So I need to have some kind of pain management. I was told I’d never be completely pain free, but I just want to be able to take my kids to the park, and zoo, do normal housework and stop feeling like a complete failure as a wife and mother. It’s really hard for me, I used to play all these sports and run 8 miles a day, even completing marathons, now I can barely make it up the stairs without tears. So if you know of a good doctor, please let me know. Or if you have any advice, I would really appreciate it. Acupuncture, supplements, stretches, I will be grateful for any advice. Thank you!

Due to a recent change in state law, the Department of Health Care Services will no longer pay for some Medi-Cal benefits for most adults ages 21 and older. This change of law goes into effect on July 1, 2009.

Availability of the following Medi-Cal benefits has changed for adults: dental services, acupuncture services, audiology services, speech therapy services, chiropractic services, optometric and optician services, podiatric services, psychology services, and incontinence creams and washes. All other Medi-Cal services will remain unchanged at this time.

The following Medi-Cal beneficiaries will continue to receive these benefits:

If you or a family member qualify for Medi-Cal services and are under 21 years of age, or reside in a nursing facility, your benefits and services will not change.
If you are pregnant, you will continue to receive pregnancy-related services, and services for the treatment of other conditions that might complicate the pregnancy.
In May and June 2009, the Department of Health Care Services will provide additional information directly to health care providers and Medi-Cal beneficiaries and will notify many other interested parties. Information on the Department of Health Care Services website will be updated as it comes available, and updated information will also be placed on the Medi-Cal website at http://www.medi-cal.ca.gov.