please help - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

matt3507 · 03-25-2009, 12:07 AM

Hi all:
I haven't posted here for 3+ months. I'm sorry I haven't been here to support you folks. I just got so depressed I didn't talk to anybody or even read here anymore. I just kind of gave up for a while, but I am going to try to fix myself again.

My doctor moved last year and I visited two other doctors since and all I got was the crap beat out of me and told there is nothing wrong - you know, "buck up kid". After seeing those two guys my pain was beyond what I could bear. I went from screaming on the floor wishing for death, to rage, to housebound depression. I started reading here again the past 2 weeks and now I am going to try to be proactive again. My wife is starting to get depressed now. I have to do something.

I have 2 main questions:
I asked for my medical records from my old doctor and I got the one from my first visit and the last 3 visits. I saw her at least 25 times in 2+ years. Does she have to give me all her records? Do I have the right ask for them? Can I make her give them to me?

Also here is my MRI report from July 2006:
IMPRESSION:
1. The C5-6 disc is moderately narrowed and dehydrated. There is a right subarticular disc protrusion with some reactive osteophytic spurring. There are some hypertrophic uncovertebral degenerative changes on the right with moderate neural foraminal stenosis on the right. The left neural foramen is widely patent.
2. The C7-T1 disc is mildly narrowed and dehydrated. Their is a mild disc bulge. There are some hypertrophic uncovertebral degenerative changes on the left with severe neural foraminal stenosis on the left. The right neural foramin is widely patent. there is mild facet arthrosis at this level.

So my PCP said I needed surgery. I went to a neurosurgeon and he said "there is nothing I can do for you as far as your nerves go". I found a pain doc. and tried 5 different physical therapists and tried different meds. The first physical therapist manipulated my neck and gave me traction and that is when the headaches started and have only gone away a few times since. I get SO MAD when I think about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was (is still) like a nightmare. I was so healthy. I can't help but feel like there is something mechanical going on.

I get numbness in my left pinky and ring finger up to my elbow off and on. My main complaints, though, are stabbing pains/spasms in both shoulder blades and headaches. Triggers are random, but lifting anything over 5-6 pounds will always get me. It is living hell. I can't function. It is the worst pain I have ever experienced. I won't go into what this has done to my life since 6-06, but there is no resemblance to who I used to be.

Sorry for the novel. Any help/opinion/suggestion is welcome. I remember feelbad, sammy, pepper, and many other extremely tough individuals. I am sorry I haven't been around and I want to know how you are doing also.

want a good out · 03-25-2009, 04:59 AM

Hi Matt, Sorry you are having such a hard time of it. It is my understanding that when conservative therapy fails it is time for surgery. If the one Dr. was not helpful, you could find another one. I would/did let only someone that I thought was the best do me. You may have to travel a little ways to get good care, but it will be worth it. There are 6 hospitals closer to me than the one I went to. It is the best in my opinion for me. I expect the surgery I had will have a good outcome. I had to search around about 20 years ago to have my ankle reconstructed and ran into a couple of dr that said they would only fuse it. I was 25 and very vain and that was not an option at the time. I had a great outcome then and am ready to have another great outcome with ny neck. I can't get over NOT waking up in pain!!! I have a snowmobile that I haven't ridden in 4 years... I'm going to ride it painfree, carefully this winter. I hope this helps. Also I have been on wellbutrin for about 8 mo. now and was suggested by my Dr (FP) for the pain.... or so she said...
Hang inthere, determine your desire and go after it. Accept nothing less than that.
It was the 3rd neck Dr that I finally went with. The first (bad Dr.) said you need nothing done, the 2nd said to live with the pain and the 3rd told me all he could do to help me. I know now had to be ready for it too. I'm glad the first Dr said nothing was wrong, she doesn't ahve good outcomes. I went to her as that is whom my ins. would cover. Bad news, 4 years of h%ll. Anyway, I'm 6 weeks post op and going to start PT friday... Good luck in your search for a Dr. whom you feel good about.

want a good out · 03-25-2009, 05:05 AM

I have 2 main questions:
I asked for my medical records from my old doctor and I got the one from my first visit and the last 3 visits. I saw her at least 25 times in 2+ years. Does she have to give me all her records? Do I have the right ask for them? Can I make her give them to me?

Yes, you may have to pay for them though. You might ahve to seek legal consul to get them.

The Dr whom fixed my neck didn't care about records from the past. He asked me what I had done and took my word for it. He did want a recent MRI (with in a year) which I already had and any x-rays again recent. I had to wait 3 months to see him though. Well worth it from how I feel right now.

sammyo1 · 03-25-2009, 05:39 AM

Matt I have often thought about you.
I had the same thing happen with PT, any one around my neck triggered headaches bad. That should tell the doctors something right there.
When did you see the neurosurgeon?
You need to go back to a surgeon, Ortho or a different Neuro. I made the same mistake took one surgeons opinion. That nerve comment throws me, I dont know what he meant by that one.
Have you tried the ESIs with a PM?
You definantly have something really going on & that MRI is to old. MRIs dont always show it all.
Are you on anything for the pain?

I am really mad on your behalf, that happens to often we are sent to PT & it makes it worse.
You have to get into another surgeon here asap & let then evaluate things from scratch. You will have to make it clear you have no quality of life here.
Usually when all treatements are exhausted through other doctors & PMs surgery is recommended. The tingling & other symptoms are a warning.
I had the headaches the last few weeks before surgery & did not think I would make it. You cant be left to suffer. You just let the surgeon you get in with know your PCP thought you needed surgery & you need another opinion. Often people will get 2 or even 3.
Marcia (feelbad) I am sure will pop on & understand the MRI more so, but I know she is going to say the same its to old to know whats going on in there now. EVEn if an new is done & its not pinpointing whats causing all the pain then there are other tests. Doctors can rely to much on MRIs alone.
You are going to take you life back & starting now. See if you can get the name of a new surgeon & start from there.
As far as your records you should be able to retrieve them all, if not another doctor should be able to do so. Hang in there Matt & dont give up. God bless, Sammy

matt3507 · 03-26-2009, 08:52 PM

wago,

Thanks for the response! I was so down. Knowing that you kept looking and found a good doc. will keep me looking. Tell me about your neck/surgery if you bored. I need to hear a GOOD neck story.

Thx again, Matt