idlesongbird

I recently had a cervical MRI. This was done because I had a history of a protrusion at C5-C6 and have recently been experiencing cog fog, numbness and tingling in hands and feet, muscle weakness in legs and arms, and severe fatigue. My neuro thought perhaps it was either transverse myelitis or spinal stenosis. Yesterday the neuro's nurse practitioner called to tell me that the MRI showed some stenosis but "not to bad" and that the Neuro wanted me to goto physical therapy.

I went for my first visit today and was just totally frustrated. To start off with my eval was done by a student, from what I can tell by the paper work, and I never once saw a liscensed therapist. I'm not sure but I think a liscensed professional must be in the room. At least that's what I remember when I was in Nursing school.

She gave me an exercise for my neck (which by the way has never been painful since the symptoms started two months ago). I am supposed to do the exercise every two hours but when I do my neck really does hurt. So I have decided to not continue the exercise for now. She also informed me that I was too young to have spinal stenosis (I'm 33) and that it had to be a bulging disc and that is what the exercise was designed for.

The PT never addressed my gait issues or muscle weakness as this was not ordered by the neuro. She also told me that my muscle weakness was probably due to my Fibromyalgia and that I needed to start exercising. At this point I started to cry and told her that my mother has to drive 45 miles every weekend to take me grocery shopping as I can't do it by myself and that I am only able to work 30-36 hours a week vs the 40 I'm scheduled for. To top it off I found out that the Neuro only ordered 3 visits. I have been through PT many times and have never gone for only 3 visits.

I am going to call the PT director on Monday for clarification on the whole student doing an evaluation thing. I just find it disconcerting that that is going on. If that is how this hospital treats a fellow employee, I can't imagine what goes on to unsuspecting patients. I am also supposed to call my Neuro on Monday to schedule a follow-up post treatment.

I am just a little confused right now as to what he is thinking. I find it hard to believe that he would expect much improvement from 3 visits. It has left me wondering if he thinks something else is going on besides spinal stenosis (which is how I feel). I'm trying not to think too much about that right now cause I can only get that answer when I'm face to face with him.

Sorry this is such a long post but I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening....Jenn