I would greatly appreciate any advice given!

Infections
1

I am so frustrated I don't know what to do or what specialty of medical professional to see about this.  These "episodes" started for me when I was 22, after a bad car accident & lower back surgery.  After the surgery, I got a blister type thing on my lower back, I was already in pain from the surgery, and chalked it off as a staple or stitch working it's way out.  Over the years, and multiple doctors, all they can tell me is that it is recurring shingles.  I have been on the anti-viral meds, and even had the shingles injection.  But, it keeps getting worse & worse.  With me it attacks the nerves in my lower back, down my legs, and now my hips.  It puts me down!  Right now, I'm really struggling.  A couple of months ago, I woke up and couldn't hardly move.  My hips wouldn't hardly allow me to walk.  Just to breathe hurt.  It feels like my hip joints "catch" if that makes sense.  I went to the Dr., had MRI's & x-rays, they say I have bad arthritis in my hips & bulging disc's & scar tissue.  I've totally drained, no energy & extremely tired.  I've seen a rheumatologist, (oops spell ck), no help.  I've been through a series of steroid/cortisone injections, very little help.  I'm still working every day, and commuting 3-4 hours a day, and it's killing me.  And then, aha!  I got two little spots on my back.  The pain mgmt doc told me it was shingles (again) and that 30 percent of people have recurring shingles.  When this episode with my hips started 2 mo's ago, I didn't know what was wrong with me, and thought it was arthritis, or I just over did it. Now, I'm at my wits end.  The pain is getting worse instead of better.  I started the anti-viral pills that I had on hand, because the Dr that prescribed them for me about 10 ago, on a daily basis, didn't think I needed to be on them any longer.  I just don't know what to do or what specialty of Dr to see.  Has this happened to anyone else?  Can anyone tell me what type of Dr can help me?????   I'm in so much pain, I'm desperate at this point.  I'm an active person normally, and not a pain pill head.  I just need relief from all this. The doc's just aren't getting it right.      

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Start with one thing at a time. Thr is a good start to help with hip issues if needed. Discs have painful issue also should be addressed by specialists.

i had disc repair then both hips replaced after about 6 months it was nice to live without constant severe pain. 

 

3

Dear C,

Obviously, your case is complex, but the different types of pain going on need to be addressed.

You injured your back at age 22.

You had a laminectomy-fusion at that time?

You developed shingles, which often occurs at the site of trauma and or surgery.

Is the shingles on one side or both sides?

How often does the shingles occur?

Do you have chronic pain when you don't have Shingles?

Do you have sciatica?

Are you walking with a cane or walker?

How old are you, now?

Which Antiviral are you on, now?

Where do you live?

I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States and have had Herpes Zoster-Shingles in my right ear, throat, and mouthevery 3-5 weeks for the past 22 years and twice in my right eye. It has now escalated to my right scalp.

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana