Renee016

Hi, Eartha. Your are DEFINATELY correct! That MRI belongs to you and you have a right to request it!! But please don't have it sent to another doctor - you keep it and bring it with you when needed. I learned this the hard way - I had multiple-level thoracic and lumbar fusion for scoliosis 20 years ago and not a single x-ray of what my back looked like before surgery! Also, I needed them when I was pregnant if I was to have an epidural. I always advise everyone to get copies of EVERYTHING - x-rays, blood-test results -doctors are only required to keep them for seven years and you never know when you might need these things. Plus, you don't want to have to repeat stuff if you don't have to either.

Oh well, as you can see, this is a very touchy subject for me. I hope you feel better soon and please don't feel guilty for wanting a second opinion. As my doctor put it, if it was him, he'd get one.

Take care
Renee

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1982 Fusion surgery for scoliosis with stainless steel Harrington Rod (T5 - L3) using pelvic bone for grafting
1999 Neck problems began
2001 Cervical Kyphosis
2002 Diagnosed with Epstein-Barr (level was 7+) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
2003 3 Herniated Cervical Discs - C4 thru C7. One disc (C5-6) pressing on the spinal cord (no nerve root compression) causing leg weakness, tingling, burning and numbness - diagnosed with myelopathy and ACDF recommended.
2/24/03 One-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy with donor bone and titanium plate (C5-6)
Post 2/03 - Symptoms returned and worsening. Weakness in my legs is like walking against a 50 mph wind - pain in lower back and all the way down my right leg to the ankle - vertigo, muscle spasms in trunk and legs
7/03 EEG, BAERS and MRI of brain all normal
7/03 MRI of lumbar spine showed mild herniated disc (L4/5) with moderate to severe DDD and edema in the endplates. HOLDING OUT FOR ARTIFICIAL DISC REPLACEMENT!