I been thinking hard about this , If I could find me a neurosurgeon who would be willing to take a look at me I would feel a whole lot better about my injury. I really like my Orthopedic spine specialist , but I been thinking maybe since I'm having serious issues with my nerves a neuro would be a better Dr. to see at this point.
Would my Ortho have to know about my visit ? I wouldn't want him to find out that I don't trust his opinion. My Dr. has told me before that I was fused and a worker's comp Dr. told me I wasn't , well the workers comp Dr. was right. I wasn't fused at the time. For the spine itself I like the orthopedic Dr. but with the nerves and muscle I'm starting to think the neuro would hold an edge. Whats your opinion on this ?
I think that is a great idea shawley!!! When I first injured my back I went to ortho's but since been going only to neuro's. Don't know alot about the difference but.....You could gain a whole new perspective. Maybe its the answer you've been looking for. Hurry up and make an appointment so you can find out. Beach time soon.
Shawley, I can certainly understand your loyalty to your Ortho, but the mere fact that you feel that your Otho may not have the "expertise" in neurology, which appears to be the issue, is reason enough to seek another opinion. I truly believe that your Dr. would certainly understand. As far as him not finding out, that maybe an issue when the Neuro wants to review you medical history. I say talk to your Dr. and let him know that want to cover all the basis where your back is concerned and tell him your intention to investigate your injury by way of a Neuologist. It never hurts to have a second opinion. Who knows what a neurologist could bring to the table as far as a diagnosis and treatment. I truly think your Dr. wont have a problem with your quest to find a solution to your pain, and if he truly cares about your well being, he will support your decision to at least speak with a Neuro. I think its wonderful that you have such a great deal of respect for your Ortho, but if you try to hide your intentions from him, he may take that as you going behind his back. Keep him in the loop. I hope that you do fnd out whats going on and that some type of treatment can be discovered. Good luck to you.
Porter,
Thanks for the advise , I think it would be a good decision to get another opinion , it's just very hard to get into seeing doctor's after you have already had surgeries but I'm going to do a little reaserch and find one. As long as worker's comp doesn't mind forking over the bill ? My surgeon should understand.
Yvette and Pepper ,
I think I'm going to try and find a neuro ,it's going to be hard to find one but I'll look everywhere. Thanks for the support.
Gotta run/crawl a long time buddy want me to go to lowes with him ,I better take him up on it. I haven't seen him for a couple months,..
C-Ya and thanks
Can't go have to take the kid to the dentist after school. Told him another day/month ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by shawley
Porter,
Thanks for the advise , I think it would be a good decision to get another opinion , it's just very hard to get into seeing doctor's after you have already had surgeries but I'm going to do a little reaserch and find one. As long as worker's comp doesn't mind forking over the bill ? My surgeon should understand.
Yvette and Pepper ,
I think I'm going to try and find a neuro ,it's going to be hard to find one but I'll look everywhere. Thanks for the support.
Gotta run/crawl a long time buddy want me to go to lowes with him ,I better take him up on it. I haven't seen him for a couple months,..
C-Ya and thanks
hey shawley.i do think you may have a good idea here,just make certain it IS an actual neurosurgeon and not just a neurologist.or,and i really think this may be an even better idea,have you ever seen a physiatrist?they are not a form of shrink,they are physical medicine type docs who have a very high level of knowlege on how the body works at the nerve and muscle level.this was the type of doc i saw when i was transfered to acute rehab after my spinal cord surgery was done at one hospital and after a few weeks, i was sent to a rehab hospital to try and get my leg and my left hand back again.i lost them during the surgery.
my physiatrist was the man in charge of all my care,all of it,and he was amazing as far as the level of overall knowledge of the nerves and muscles and could tell me just by looking at like my hand and the way i was using it,just what intrinsic(fine motor) muscles i had most likely lost.i did lose eight of them,which was confirmed using EMG later.its just another option that i really do think you could benefit from.your present ortho also wouldn't really have a huge problem with this either,unless he really has an ego.but this is just another specialist who really should be in on your recovery.the thing is,even as much as you could try and keep seeing any other doc from your current one,trust me here when i say,they WILL find out one way or another.theres just too much coordination that has to go on between the two docs offices to avod it.just tell your ortho that you would like to consult with a physiatrist about finding out at the basic level how things really are inside that area and see if they could help improve your condition.he really should not have any sort of problem with you seeing a physiatrist or a neurosurgeon either.this is your body not his,and if you feel you could possibly benefit in some way from seeing some other type of specialist,it IS your choice to do so.a physiatrist can also possibly give you ideas as to whether or not you actually need some sort of PT to improve your muscle tone in a particular area.this is what they do,they just evaluate your entire structure down to the nerve level.just look up what a physiatrist actually does and see if this would be something you could really benefit from.without the expertise of the wonderful one i have,i honestly would not be walking today but sitting in a wheelchair typing this to you right now.just check into it and see what you think.just another option for you.good luck shawley,marcia
__________________
3-22-01,herniated C-6-7
11-20-01,placement of hardware for failed fusion
9-22-03,removal of cavernous hemangioma that was inside spinal cord. Neuro damage to L hand L leg and R leg.
Feelbad ,
Thank you for your input , I never thought about a physiatrist yet , I have found a neurosurgeon in the yellow pages I'm going to give a call to..I see my ortho Dr. on the 8th. Think I should call the neuro now or wait after my visit to talk to neuro ?
I just want to make sure nothing is causing my pain other than what my ortho is telling me . Scar tissue ..plus I don't know if I even fused yet. Personally if my ortho told me I was fused I would find it hard to believe him after what happened this past summer.
I just want to make sure nothing is causing my pain other than what my ortho is telling me . Scar tissue ..plus I don't know if I even fused yet. Personally if my ortho told me I was fused I would find it hard to believe him after what happened this past summer.
Not to be blunt - sometimes I can be -- this is exactly why you need to do this Shawley. The meds are another thing too!!
I am counting on you to be better for our trip you know?!
Pepper I'm having a terrible day today . I feel so depressed today for some reason ? Listen to me your the one fresh out of surgery and I'm crying ! Jeesh what a guy !
I know I have to get another opinion ,and I want it to be from a Neurosurgeon also but there is only one in my area and when you shake his hand his hands shake like crazzy , plus he loves butchering people . Don't care for him. I'll ask my surgeon if he know's any .
I'm ready for trip let me tell you. The med part I will have under control soon as I get a Dr. to treat me. Only 2 still so far..I won't cave in .
How are you today ? Sore I bet..I hate when the incision heals and starts to get itchy ..EEK..that stinks. When I used to go to bed I would just fall onto my side , I never heard of the trash bag idea. I'm so clumbsy I'd probably fall on the floor. Betcha your tired of that brace already?
well I have to go soak in my own pitty , talk to ya later.
Shawley -- You get yourself back up and stop feeling sorry for yourself or I will come on over and whack you with my walker. LOL
Seriously, I am so sorry you are down. I so completely understand why you feel that way because I went thru many days like that before my surgery. When my laminectomy failed and caused me more problems......I cried like a big baby until I realized that I had to be strong for my family and pick myself back up. It was the roughest thing I had to do.
I had to gain control of the situation and I think you are doing a fantastic job trying to regain control of your situation with your meds and now seeking a second opinion. You are taking the proper steps and I think it is the best thing you can do not only for yourself but your family.
I wish I knew what to say to you and had some magical words of wisdom for you. You have gone thru so much and deserve a break.
If you are having problems finding a neurosurgeon....how about a spinal surgeon??
Do you think coming off the meds could be affecting your mood??
Please know that I am here for you and that I care.
Take care honey ( I just called you honey!!) LOL!! Shush don't tell my hubby!!
Thanks Pepper ,
I hate feeling bad for myself but you know how tired ya get dealing with this day in and day out..Some day's I feel happy ,some I don't..
I called a Neuro's office yesterday ,I ask her if the doc would see a patient that had surgery already , she said as long as it wasn't a fusion he will ...What the heck ! I ask her why and she said that because ortho's use different types of hardware than neuro's do ..I about laughed in her face..What a crock ! I begged her that I just want an opinion about why I'm having nerve pain. SORRY she said. Told me to see another orthopedic Dr. She ask me why don't they give you nerve blocks , I said they did and didn't work , she ask then why the stimulator ? I told her the Dr. said he thinks I would benefit from it..She didn't sound so convinced it would..Atleast she didn't hang up on me. I thanked her for listening anyway.
I wanted a neuro because I think they would be more detailed about nerves and stuff ,unlike a ortho , just bone /joints. So it look's like I'll try to find me another Ortho for a second opinion.
I have my meds under control , just need to drop down a mg or two.
The weather people are calling for possible flooding around our area thursday/Friday because of rain and the snow we have ,I'll probably get stuck in it knowing my luck..
It may be because of the meds ? Hey don't you go getiin your hubby mad at you by calling another man honey . My wife is very jelous ,I don't know why ? She has an anxiety disorder and I'm trying to get her to go for meds. Her Dr. told her she had an anxiety problem and she came home crying because she thought it was a mental thing ,I told her it was a imbalance in her body is all. She is going for meds soon because she has to do a nursing program and get up in front of other students and she knows she won't be able. Now can you understand why I can't tell her about my problem ? She flips out about the little things..
Thanks Pepper , you are always there for me. I give ya a hug back if I could.
Awwhh Shawley, I am sorry your feeling so bad. What can we do to cheer you up? Listen we are only allowed five minutes a day to feel sorry for ourselves, and I think your five minutes is up. Now be pro-active.
Quit talking about what you cant do and focus on what you can do. Okay so that neuro is shakey...lets just forget him. Look further out even if you have to drive a couple hours to get there. Find out who the best spine specialists are and call and make an appointment TODAY you know it takes along time to get in, so hurry up....and quit putting it off.
I am sure not getting to go with your friend didn't help. Can you go somewhere today, can you call him and say... GET ME OUT OF HERE? And I know why you love lowes..jimi johnson is my driver lol.
I to have had bouts of anxiety so I know how your wife feels, if she wants to talk about it tell me and we can talk on the other board here.
Okay so now lets focus on what you can do.....Now that's my pms lecture. vette
PS see there was a reason I got post phoned lol
Last edited by yvette777; 02-28-2007 at 05:44 AM.
Reason: I can't spell
just an FYI here shawley.if you have your primary doc actually refer you to a neurosurgeon for a consult,it may go much better than just calling up one yourself.it is just coming from another doc that makes the difference vs coming from just a plain old patient thing?it carries a bit more weight thats all.and there IS always the physiatrist too.good luck shawley,i know all this ongoing crap can get you down and make you crazy,but you just gotta pull yourself up and continue on with the fight.i have to give myself this little pep talk like every morning sometimes.it all just really sucks to have to live from doc to doc appt and hoping for some answers.hang in there hon,Marcia
__________________
3-22-01,herniated C-6-7
11-20-01,placement of hardware for failed fusion
9-22-03,removal of cavernous hemangioma that was inside spinal cord. Neuro damage to L hand L leg and R leg.
Marcia,
I have searched everywhere for a spine specialist and let me tell you around here it is very difficult finding a surgeon after you already had surgery/fusion . Alot of Dr.'s are leaving PA. because the insurance is way to high here for them because everyone seem's to be sueing them. I think that's one reason their all saying can't help ya. I'm on worker's comp so seeing a physiatrist might be hard for me , and with very little income I couldn't afford out of the pocket expense. I'll have to check into that. But for now I need a second opinion on my spine. Thanks Marcia
Yvette ,
Will you let me whine already . I need more than 5 minutes ,I'm a big boy. Like I said to Marcia It doesnt matter how far I go unless out of state I'm going to have trouble finding a Dr. who will look at me or my films. I had a real tuff time finding the Ortho I have now , I have been turned away from 4 different doctor's in my area since my origanal fusion. I found my surgeon that works 2 1/2 hours from my home.
It's hard to get someone to get me out of here , all my people work during the week ,plus I don't really feel like going out anyway /anymore.
That friend of mine is a Jimmy fan . I like Gordon my good friend that always comes around got me watching racing when Jeffy was a rookie ,I just drank beer and waited for the crash..Now I'm a die hard fan. I used to go to the races every year, mostly Michigan speedway or Martinsville. I been to alot of different tracks . My wife and I were thinking If I feel ok this fall to go to Dover again. I was there in 2001 right after the highjacking's took place. JR. won with his baseball car. We were kinda worried then about terrorist attack on a race. I know what your thinking...Ewww a Gordo fan..Even my sister say's that , she like JR.. he's ok I don't mind him or Jimmy ,I just don't care much for Tony Stewart.( punk)
Hey, just to let you know my chocolate lab's name is Dale Earnhardt and my yellow is jimi jo johnson(shes a girl) and they had puppys and they got race care names lol. My drivers are jimi johnson and matt kenseth, my hubby is the dale fan. He is so caught up in it all, he won't even talk to me when my cars win...so for the last two seasons, it really makes him mad when my cars come in together first and second - He says I am a sore winner...lol. I appreciate the races more when we can go than watching them here. But we have a big screen and its good.
I'll let you have more than your dang five minutes. I just want you to focus on finding the help and not letting it get you down, that you can't. Cause you can and you will. Only invision the good, stay focused and you will..okay I promise. You might have to pull alot of strings, talk to alot of people etc drive extra but you will you have just got to overcome this obstacle. You know we can't let this stuff get us down, we have to keep fighting till we find the answers or the doctors that listen. We are our own advocates here.
Now all that being said i think you've had atleast a half an hour...lets focus on what we can find. What major city do you live by...maybe people here can help.
MAybe start a new thread...needing to find neursorugeon in BFE whereever!! Come on buddy you can do it!!!
Remember this, if you think you are defeated you are!!! And you aren't!!
I have a black Lab , wouldn't give it a name like Earnhardt tho..Yuk ! I don't mind JR. but the ole man I couldn't stand.
No I'm positive, kind of . I just hate the thought of going through all this again. Used to be a surgery every year if I have one this year it will be a surgery every year since 2004 twice in 2005. plus an ankle surgery to repair ligaments. I'm still searching for another Dr. maybe I'll ask my surgeon for another Dr.'s opinion.
I'm done crying today time to suck it up and be a big boy again
Hey Shawley I have a black lab to...i had to have the whole set of colors and a brindle mastiff. When watching that race last weekend, when that guy hit the wall, I just feel my back so bad, and wonder how do these guys possibly not get back injurys' harness or not....
Okay now don't make me feel bad wasn't trying to pick on you. Just snap you into positivinedeness
I watched this show the other day on the law of attraction, and it really inspired me...don't know if you've heard about it. So i have a really optimistic attitude and want to share that with my buddy. Thinking we have to expect what we want...and nothing less.
Hey Yvette ,you can smack me around I don't mind , I know your just playing..I used to have a white lab (yellow) but my wife made me give him to a friend because he shed in the house , we have dark hardwood floor's and that white hair stuck out like a sore thumb ,my wife isn't a animal lover like me. But she like this black lab we have because he's so loveable and sad looking , he's my bestest buddy in the world..Gosh I don't know how I will act if he ever die's on me. .
Well you know I am a dog groomer right? Have I got the best thing in the whole world that your wife will love, its called the furminator, you need to go to a groomer to get it done the best way and it will quit the shedding for about six weeks, they all differ a little, but when you have to start sweeping up dog hair again, you'llknow its time. I use to tell people with labs about it and they would look at me like I was on crack. Then I would use it on their dogs and every single one came back over and over and over...Its the only way that I could hande over five hundred lbs of dogs running staying in the house. I promiseif you try it your wife will love me forever.
I googled neuros in penn and saw what you were talking about....I will check on something else that might be an idea for you to check into.
have to take the kid to the dentist after school. Told him another day/month ?
..I about laughed in her face..What a crock ! I begged her that I just want an opinion about why I'm having nerve pain. SORRY she said. Told me to see another orthopedic Dr. 
She ask me why don't they give you nerve blocks , I said they did and didn't work , she ask then why the stimulator ? I told her the Dr. said he thinks I would benefit from it..She didn't sound so convinced it would..Atleast she didn't hang up on me. I thanked her for listening anyway.
. My wife is very jelous ,I don't know why ? She has an anxiety disorder and I'm trying to get her to go for meds. Her Dr. told her she had an anxiety problem and she came home crying because she thought it was a mental thing ,I told her it was a imbalance in her body is all. She is going for meds soon because she has to do a nursing program and get up in front of other students and she knows she won't be able. Now can you understand why I can't tell her about my problem ? She flips out about the little things..
Hey Shawley I have a black lab to...i had to have the whole set of colors and a brindle mastiff. When watching that race last weekend, when that guy hit the wall, I just feel my back so bad, and wonder how do these guys possibly not get back injurys' harness or not....
