DrugBuyers.Com: Problem disc at T7-T8

Just went for an MRI and found out I have a bad disc at T7 and T8 (this was caused from an auto accident in 1992, which is a new problem from an old injury.) As I have already undergone years of PT, chiro (which has always been excruciatingly painful when "adjusting" this area of my spine) and massage therapy. The doc called it "degenerative disc disease/disorder" (can't recall which.)

Now, as I'm sure many of you can relate, this has been causing pain likened to a hot knife sticking in the middle of my back. It is not worsened with any particular movement, but gets seriously painful after too long at the computer or walking too long. The pain level is always about a 4 (has been for awhile now) but when I try to go to work or sit at the computer or in certain kinds of chairs for even a half hour, the pain escalates to a 7 or 8 and takes hours of lying down to get back to a "tolerable" level.

The doc gave me Flexeril (which makes me really drowsy, but does nothing for the pain) and is going to refer me to a pain clinic for management. I've never been to a PM doc before, and I really don't care WHAT they do for me so long as it allows me to work and lead a productive life.

My questions are:

1) What has worked for others with disc issues in this part of your back? Doc said surgery would be through the chest and take months to recover from. I simply cannot do that right now. I also want to avoid benzos at all costs.

2) Do most of you find PM docs helpful?

3) I was rated after the accident (but didn't have the disc problem at the time...it was soft tissue damage only at that point) with a 10.XXXXXXX permanent partial disability. Would a DDD issue be enough to qualify for SSI? I have never applied.

I've decided that if this pain is not relieved soon, I will simply resort to going on the methadone program (no hassles with getting meds) as I am already on a low dose of methadone anyway.

Input is much appreciated.

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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.