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Posted 3/20/2013 5:13 PM (GMT 0)

 

I was diagnosed with DDD-Herniated Disc L-4 – L-5  in 1998 when I lived in ny & I had health insurance then.

Went t pt, chiropractor, pain management.  The meds I was taking was tramadol from the pm dr.

I live in PA now & I don’t have any health insurance, my symptoms are the same as they were in 1998.

I am taking OTC medication, advil, iceing my back.

Does anyone’s pain move throughout the day & also if my back really hurts one day the next day or 2 I get another symptom pain in my calf & big toe numbness.  When one pain moves it goes to another area.

I am back to not being able to drive or even be a passenger,I can’t stand up too long & forget about sitting.

I called a PM here in PA & I was told they can’t see me because I don’t have insurance, the PM Dr. was the only treatment that gave me some relief in 1998

My pain never totally went away but I was some what able to function

 

Thanks for listening

Val

Posted 3/20/2013 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Val and Welcome to Healing Well Chronic Pain Forum, You know if you have a herniated disk at L4/5 the pain you experience in your calf and foot could very well be caused by that bad disk at L4/5. So yes your pain can move around, allot of times when you have a herniated disk, that herniation can impinge on the nerve root coming out of the spinal cord and that impingement can cause pain any where along the path of that nerve, and that can be all the way down to the toes. If your having lots of leg and foot pain, it might be a good idea to see a Doctor, about it. Especially if you are having any weakness in that leg and if you are falling.

I do wish you well and again I Welcome you to the Forum.

White Beard

Posted 3/20/2013 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Val, I live in PA my self. If you are not working you can get Medicaid if you do work you can apply for Medicare You would not believe what they have done for me.I have a pain pump after breaking my back and doing damage to my spine. It was all very easy. Wayne
Posted 3/20/2013 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
I also highly recommend Medicare, no matter what you have read about it the phone staff. is incredibly polite and informative. Best of luck!
Posted 3/20/2013 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Val!…and Welcome to the Chronic Pain forum!

I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering, and even more sympathetic to learn that you are without insurance. I would certainly look into the Medicaid claim by Wayne, as it looks like you need to be seen by a Dr. The numbness you describe in your toes can certainly be caused by problems in the lumbar area of the spine. It may be that a Dr will script you pain meds after a thorough exam. There is a chance that you may need surgery as well.

Again, Welcome and Enjoy the forum!

SE
Posted 3/21/2013 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
val, welcome to hw cp, sorry you need to be here.

sounds like you are going through a lot, and without the ability to see a doctor and having no insurance must make it extra tough. I feel for you.

please never give up hope, perhaps there will be an answer for you soon to improve your situation

david in sc
Posted 3/21/2013 8:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Val and welcome to the forum for chronic pain.

Sorry to hear your having such a difficult time.

As others said I would look into the qualifications of your Medicaid program there.

Also try other PM Drs. For one to refuse to see you without any insurance tells me 2 things immediately,he uses some expensive testing and labs your not likely able to afford if you can't pay for insurance.

Your best bet is going to be a teaching hospital or university hospital. Payment is based on need and ability.

As for just using tramadol? Most urgent treatment facilities and free or low pay clinics dont have a problem prescribing it short term.

Good luck and try the Medicaid program 1st if you haven't already.

Vickie
Posted 3/21/2013 11:06 AM (GMT 0)
HI Wayne again, to tell you more of what medicare has done for me, I broke my femur and my arm,when I hurt my spine they gave me a penal implant, now the pain pump. I happened to see what the charge was and it was 125.OOO. I am sure the Dr's and hospital wont get that but what a price.I don't know if I am allowed to do this, but if you or anyone else wants to email me it's [email protected]. Good heath to every one. Wayne Pittsburgh , PA
Posted 3/21/2013 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All !!!
Thanks so much for listening & the replies.
I do not work, so I would to apply for Medicaid. I have seen a general practitioner Dr. here in the past. He charges $50.00 for a visit & when I had seen him 1 yr ago because my back pain was acting up & gave him my history, told him I use to take Tramadol when I lived in NY he just refused to perscibe it to me. He gave my a perscription for Motrin. He didn't send me for a mri or any tests because I didn't have insurance. He gave me a PM Dr.s name but I didn't go because I couldn't afford it. I did feel better in a few weeks & I was able to function so I never persued any further. Now the pain is back & I don't even want to bother going back to him.
I found a site online where I think I can apply for Medicaid. I live with my boy friend & he is barely working & he can't help me right now.
I have been making some extra money petsitting but now I had to cancel all my clients.

Thanks all again & hope everyone is having a low pain day!
Posted 3/21/2013 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
If you can't do your previous job, or can't continue your previous career due to your injuries, apply for SS disability. You can work if you are on disability, if it is something easy like petsitting, it just adjusts the amount you get, since your disability would prevent you from getting most physically demanding jobs, or the jobs you have held in the past. But, applying for medicare/Medicaid/SS Disability can be a long road. Be prepared.

In the meantime, do an online search for free or sliding scale clinics in your area. I live in very rural south Louisiana, and I've got like 5 in a 20 mile radius. They are out there. The clinic I go to has dental and mental care, as well as a discount pharmacy that beats the pants off of the major chain pharmacies. It's 15 minutes away. I also go to the state "charity" system as it was called back in the day. It's basically one of LSU's teaching hospitals now, and there are some hoops to jump through, but if you keep that stuff organized, you can eventually navigate the system.

Just so you know, most of the clinics don't do pain meds, but it's a good way to set up a primary care doctor cheaply, and all of your previous medical information, like your former PM's stuff, can be requested by them. Then when any kind of coverage kicks in, that doc, who would be familiar with your care by then, can write any referrals you need.

And if you get a good doc at one of the free/sliding scale clinics, keep 'em, as the clinics usually accept insurances and medicare/medicaid as well. Puts a little money back into the practice to help them out. If I ever hit the lottery, they are getting one heckuva donation from me. Saved my butt with the dental and mental stuff, and I've even seen a regular doc there for stuff like sinus infections and other basic stuff, as I can walk in and get seen there, but I have to get an appointment or go to the ER at the hospital. It's worth the $25 to save waiting all day to be seen.
Posted 3/21/2013 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi LivingColor

Thank you for the advise!

I still am getting some income coming in, I can still pet sit the clients who have pet birds & they bring their birds to my house with their cages when the owners go away on vacation.  I have a parakeet & a canary here now who I am taking care of but I had to cancel my dogs & cats clients since I have to drive to their houses plus letting the dogs out.  Cats are easier but I can't drive to their houses

I also have 2 dogs of my own, a cat, a cockatiel bird, a conure bird & a bearded dragon.

My boyfriend finally got a painting job in Long Island NY ( he is a painting/wallcoverings contractor) so he is staying with his aunt because its too far for him to drive back & fourth, he will be home on the weekend.

Its nice to know people care, sometimes I feel like I am the only one with pain.

Today I am thankful that the numbness is stopping in my big toe, now its tingling in my lower back left side area.  Everyday the pain is somewhere else & never wants to stop but I know from previous times & shouldn't rely on the pain to completely go away just be able to function normally & try to enjoy life.

 

Posted 3/21/2013 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
I have had Chronic Pain for YEARS.  Yes my pain travels like its there for hours then moves.  Mine is nerve related.  I do have back problems but the traveling pain isnt from that.  

I have been to so many dr's in the past 2.5yrs for other health issues and now have an appt w/a Rheumatologist mid apr.      

PA doesn't offer medical assistance or the county you are in?     

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