If you've ever visited one of these doctors, you know what I'm talking about. They get you lying on your back on a narrow table, with nothing to hold onto and no room to roll on your side, and at the end of the exam they tell you to go ahead and "sit up."

Or what really got me was the pain management doctor, who sees thousands of back patients a year, getting me face down on the operating table and asking me to lift up and reposition myself without rolling onto my side. That's when he finally got a "What's with you people?!" reaction out of me.

Those of you who are new to back pain, don't be afraid to tell doctors what you need. You'll find that physical therapists and MRI technicians know that you're going to need assistance, but doctors haven't a clue.

That is true. I have had a bunch of MRI's and XRays. Those techs always hold their arms out for me to grab on to but the doctors don't. Very interesting.

Yes, you've definitely gotta speak up for yourself. When I have my post-op x-rays, I always ask to have them standing up. The tech usually says they like to do them lying down and figures that's the end of the discussion. I have to explain to them that I have protruding hardware and will be in extreme pain if they want me to lie on my back on that hard table. I think they've flagged my chart now, so I just ask and they do it.

My PTist won't even LET me lie flat on my back on her padded table!

And I found an unexpected back friend in, of all doctors, my ob/gyn. When I had to go in at only three months post-op, I was sitting there without the brace on when he came in and sat down to chat. I asked him if the exam table was able to go flat, rather than the curvey angle they keep it at. He jumped up and adjusted it and asked me what else he could do. He carefully helped me up and down on the table so gently. It took a lot of tries to find an ob/gyn I liked. I thought he was a keeper, and he proved me right!

The doctor who did my upper GI series, though, who told me I had to turn all the way over to coat my stomach with the goop, turning from my back to my stomach and back again... He stood there ho-humming like I was taking too long and was wasting his time. Sheesh! He could have helped support me a little! He knew I had a back problem!

There are winners and losers out there!

Emily :wave:

I've found physical therapists to be the best, most understanding, and definitely most helpful! Mine are absolutely great. Although my various docs have not asked me to anything (as far as moving or situating in certain positions) that hurt too much; sometimes I tell them I will try to do it anyway if it would help them figure something out and they've said not to push it. Or I feel like such a dolt when I have to visit the gyno while in agony from either stenosis in the past or now with sciatica. That is quite the lovely experience! <not>.

I actually have dentist appt in 2 weeks for a teeth cleaning. I'm thinking this appt may have to be cancelled.