In Reply to: Re: Seeing Specialist posted by PatG on December 12, 2000 at 12:37:14:
: : I went to my Dr.'s appointment and he is sending me to see a specialist...I am very glad about this. The problem is that I couldnt get a appointment to see hime till 1/18/01. My Dr. did not give me any more pain medication b/c I still have some...In my opinion not nearly enough to last me over a month...I have 12 Lor tabs and about 20 Tylenolw/ codine..and my muscle relaxers...I am in so much pain that I can't even barley get out of bed...My neck pain is horrible and when I talked to my dr. about it he said that he wouldnt give me another MRI...that the specialist could...and that my injuries are in my L3 L4 L5 and S1... So he dosnt know why my neck hurts...(Its hurt the whole time--along w/ my mid back)I am so frustrated with this pain...What can I do in the meantime to make myself more comfortable...Also does anyone have any pointers for when I see the specialist to make sure that I don't waste my time and that I get everything done that I need...???Please Help! I am feeling desperate...
: Dear Shawn Marie: I had neck fusion at C5-6 in June, 2000. I had been complaining about my neck for years. First they tried physical therapy; that kind of helped the first time. Then I went to a new doctor; tried physical therapy again. Then, I looked up on a wall, and felt something like "soft tissue" "mush" in my neck. Then, it felt like my throat was spasming, as if I was getting strangled. I went back to my doctor and they did an MRI of my neck. They made me wait 5 weeks to go to a neurosurgeon. When I saw my neurosurgeon, the first thing we tried (I was asked if I wanted to try these first rather than surgery)was epidural steroid injections into the cervical area. It took 4 weeks just to see the injection guy; then it was a series of 3 shots every 3 weeks or so. DIDN'T WORK!! This doctor who did the injection said that they made me wait to see my neurosurgeon on purpose! Why? He stated that often times with neck problems, they go away. Shawn Marie, from your description, it don't think yours is going to go away. I had a calicified disk (which meant it was turning to bone; duh! I'd been complaining for years!) and a huge bone spur sticking into the main spinal nerve. Thus, neck fusion was done. Do you have numbness and tingling down your arms? Or anywhere across the shoulders? This is a sign of a pinched nerve. To help with the burning, I would ice my neck and that would help for a while. Regarding the pain meds, wait until you get close (but not totally gone) to running out of the meds. (Doctors are weird when it comes to narcotics.) Then, you will have to call your doctor for more pain medication to see you through Christmas. Try to explain that you can barely move your neck to his nurse, as that is who I'd ask for first. The nurse can talk directly to your doctor, if you want to try to handle things over the phone. Don't just talk to a receptionist; they don't really get to the doctor like the nurse can. I have found doctors don't talk over the phone, usually. You need good strong meds to get you through until you see the specialist. Also, don't wait until too close to Christmas, as the doctor may be going on vacation during that time. Ask his nurse about that, too.
: Start making a list of questions, as you think of them, to ask the specialist. Write down a description of your pain during these weeks before you see a specialist. You have until 1-18-01 to describe your pain. What makes it hurt the most? What kind of pain (stabbing, aching, shooting)? These are questions you will be asked. Hope I've been of some help to you. If you have more questions, please ask. Take care, PatG
Thanks Pat G. I really appreciate all of your advice and I think I will start documenting what makes me hurt the most and when. I am sorry that you had to wait so long to have your neck fixed...how is your pain now? I hope all is well...and Thanks again