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Bipolar and degenerative disk disease/ pain management: possible triggers
HighnLoLita posted:
I struggled with bipolar all of my life, I was diagnosed at age 13. I am 42 now. I attempted suicide a number of times, the last attempt was 2 and a half years ago. Today I am stable and very grateful to be alive. Six months ago, I started having low back pain, neck pain and headaches. My MD aware of my bipolar disorder and medication she prescribed me Ibuprophen 800 and then later vicodin. When it became chronic the dr ordered an MRI of my low back and found two mild protruding disks and sitting on a nerve, it wasn't until later that I started having siatic pain in my leg. After seeing an orthopedic he ordered an MRI of my neck that found 3 more protruding disks, bone spurs and narrowing of the spine. That was when they diagnosed me with Degenerative disk disease. That orthopedic refered me to a partner to evaluate me for pain shots. Due to my bipolar issue the drs would not give any medication and said he would not give me any shots. I went back to my MD and she gave me vicodin and refered me to a pain management spine clinic. I went there and they refered me to another pain management dr. They said he would know exactly what to do and that he took my insurance. When I called to set up an appointment, I was told he did not take my insurance but, I can pay cash. I'm on a fixed income and as much as I would like to, I cannot pay $260 per visit for a chronic pain issue. I am so frusterated, in allot of pain, and depressed. These dr's say they are worried about my bipolar issue but, without pain management, I don't have a quality of life, I don't enjoy anything anymore. Now I'm worried, if I can't have pain management and no one wants to help me, I'm not worried about "bipolar", I'm worried about suicide for relief. Today I am not suicidal but, I am very depressed and would like to know what an expert thinks. Thank you.
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Bipolar and degenerative disk disease/ pain management: possible triggersI struggled with bipolar all of my life, I was diagnosed at age 13. I am 42 now. I attempted suicide a number of times, the last attempt was 2 and a half years ago. Today I am stable and very grateful to be alive. Six months ago, I started having low back pain, neck pain and headaches. My MD aware of my bipolar disorder and medication she prescribed me Ibuprophen 800 and then later vicodin. When it became chronic the dr ordered an MRI of my low back and found two mild protruding disks and sitting on a nerve, it wasn't until later that I started having siatic pain in my leg. After seeing an orthopedic he ordered an MRI of my neck that found 3 more protruding disks, bone spurs and narrowing of the spine. That was when they diagnosed me with Degenerative disk disease. That orthopedic refered me to a partner to evaluate me for pain shots. Due to my bipolar issue the drs would not give any medication and said he would not give me any shots. I went back to my MD and she gave me vicodin and refered me to a pain management spine clinic. I went there and they refered me to another pain management dr. They said he would know exactly what to do and that he took my insurance. When I called to set up an appointment, I was told he did not take my insurance but, I can pay cash. I'm on a fixed income and as much as I would like to, I cannot pay $260 per visit for a chronic pain issue. I am so frusterated, in allot of pain, and depressed. These dr's say they are worried about my bipolar issue but, without pain management, I don't have a quality of life, I don't enjoy anything anymore. Now I'm worried, if I can't have pain management and no one wants to help me, I'm not worried about "bipolar", I'm worried about suicide for relief. Today I am not suicidal but, I am very depressed and would like to know what an expert thinks. Thank you.
HighnLoLita responded:
Oh yea, I forgot to mention that I did go to pt for 6 weeks with no relief so a new order was not necessary at this time. And I do have an appointment to have a nerve test to see if I also have fibromyalgia to add to the list of chronic disorders. Why wont a pain management dr help me. It seems to me all these drs are doing is getting as much as they can from my insurance but, not really interested in helping me at all. If I don't find a pain management dr, I'm afraid my MD is going to stop medication. How do I find a pain management dr that knows how to treat a bipolar person???
Report This| Share this:Bipolar and degenerative disk disease/ pain management: possible triggersOh yea, I forgot to mention that I did go to pt for 6 weeks with no relief so a new order was not necessary at this time. And I do have an appointment to have a nerve test to see if I also have fibromyalgia to add to the list of chronic disorders. Why wont a pain management dr help me. It seems to me all these drs are doing is getting as much as they can from my insurance but, not really interested in helping me at all. If I don't find a pain management dr, I'm afraid my MD is going to stop medication. How do I find a pain management dr that knows how to treat a bipolar person???
jasongitar replied to HighnLoLita's response:
Hello, Hope this message reaches you. I have had bipolar 2 all my life as well, and felt most of the major symptoms when I was 13 also. I have also had major back pain issues since I was about 14. The only thing that I found that truly worked for me, and you may not buy it, is exercise. Lifting even light weights and a little bit of cardio will do the trick. I know its hard to believe but it works like magic every time. I think it has something to do with the endorphins released targeting the inflamed parts of your body when you exercise. I know the last thing you want to do when you are feeling really depressed and feeling major back pain is exercise, but give it 2 weeks and I guarantee you, you will feel some relief, of course talk to your doctor about it and ease into it slowly at first, but like I said before it works like magic for me.
Report This| Share this:Bipolar and degenerative disk disease/ pain management: possible triggersHello, Hope this message reaches you. I have had bipolar 2 all my life as well, and felt most of the major symptoms when I was 13 also. I have also had major back pain issues since I was about 14. The only thing that I found that truly worked for me, and you may not buy it, is exercise. Lifting even light weights and a little bit of cardio will do the trick. I know its hard to believe but it works like magic every time. I think it has something to do with the endorphins released targeting the inflamed parts of your body when you exercise. I know the last thing you want to do when you are feeling really depressed and feeling major back pain is exercise, but give it 2 weeks and I guarantee you, you will feel some relief, of course talk to your doctor about it and ease into it slowly at first, but like I said before it works like magic for me.
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