Had my MRI and Xrays

Hi White Beard,

I hope you are feeling a little better today! Your symptoms are sure scaring me as well! I hope you were able to talk to your doc, despite your hesitancy.

Skeye

I have been trying to get a hold of my Doctor, with no luck, I went in today to get another MRI of the Thorasic spine this time, and a bone scan, they gave me the injection right after the MRI and then I had to come back in 3 hours for the scan, they did a full body scan then went back and did a scan of just my spine.

While I was there I went up to the pain clinic to see if I could see my doctor, and see if he could increase my Percocet, I explained that my left arm was really getting bad, and I had been trying to get in contact with him for 2 or 3 days now. They said he was doing a epidural procedure, and would be in surgery in the early afternoon, but they wrote everything down and they said he would call me before the end of the day! We shall see!!!!! They told me not to take more of the percocet than what I was prescribed for break through. (To Late! for that) Anyway it was a good thing I stopped by, I told them I had my monthly refill appointment this coming Thursday at 815, they didn't have it down and it wasn't in the computer, I showed them the card they gave me for it, from my last appointment. Well they made me a new appointment at 830 that same day. Last time they did that I went up there for my refill appointment and they didn't have me down and I had to really raise cain to get them to let me see the Doctor and get my refill. He was really great about but he does have a couple of flakes that work at the front desk. I am being really nice by calling them FLAKES!! This is the third time this has happened, in 6 or so years, so it isn't really that bad I suppose, but it still is a hassle!!!.

Well it is 3:15 no call yet, I have plenty of meds, so it is no problem there, but I really would like to know what that MRI that I had last week showed and why I am having all this pain in my arm and neck! The MRI folks today would not release the results to me, they told me I had to talk to my doctor! I have been wearing my Cervical collar when I sleep and sometimes during the day and that helps some. I am being extremely careful till I find out what is going on! I am getting a little frustrated, I usually don't have any problem getitng in touch with him, I personally think he is getting to big of a patient load!

Anyway I will keep you posted as I find out!

White Beard

White Beard,
That really IS frustrating, and then some. And usually if we haven't heard by mid afternoon on a friday...well, I usually find I can forget about it until Monday.

There is some kind of policy my doctor (especially the hospital) has that they won't release the MRI results to me until I've had a chance to talk to my doctor. I have to go to the hospital and sign a separate release and have them sent to me, but they usually send them after about a 10 day wait, assuming you've talked with your doctor by then. In a way, I used to like having to pick up the actual films, because there was always a report inside and yes, I cheated and opened it and made myself a copy and then brought it to the doctor! At least that way I could formulate my questions in advance. We really should have that right.

Now with everything on CD I usually get a copy for myself, and often have to mail one to my NS who's about 3 hours away. I have to make sure the report is already on the CD along with the MRI images. My NS, who is younger and ok about patient's having lots of access to info (when I see him in person, he puts it the MRI on the computer and explains everything that's on the screen) anyway, he usually asks me if I looked at it. He actually expects that I did! Now I try to upload the stuff, but you can't on a Mac, only on a PC. So I couldn't access the report on the last MRI until I got it in the mail. Long story just to ask if you got a copy of the MRI (the disk) and if you have a PC can you upload it and see if the report is on it? Otherwise, can you sign a release and request the hospital (or wherever the MRI was done) send you a copy of the report. They may have a waiting period, but at least you'll get it.

I hate those nuclear medicine things. The injection, the waiting, and that tight, narrow table! Makes an MRI table seem like a recliner!

Anyway, glad you have enough meds for the weekend, and please let us know when you find out results!

PaLady

Well I heard from them, my Docs nurse called at 5:45 this evening, she said the Doc was not back and could not give me a new script, nor authorize me to take more than prescribed, but she wanted me to see the Doc, but the earliest is 9AM Tuesday, I told I already had an appointment with him on Thursday for med refill, but she said that is all he does is med refills that day, and Tues, they would have the results of this last MRI and also the Bones Scan, he would have everything but the EMG studies which I don't get done till the 2nd of June. So I will see him Tuesday morning, when I have had bad pain before I have told him that I have taken extra percocets for the break through and he actually told me that of all his patients, he said he never had to worry about me abusing my meds! I don't take any more than I absolutely have to! I hate the wait, it is frustrating but, I am glad they got back with me. Hopefully Tuesday I will get some answers and I hope relief!

I do want to Thank You all again for your caring and concern, You know it means allot to me. You guys really are My Family and MY Friends!

 I Thank-You All so much!

White Beard

THank-You Anice, I hope your feeling better too! You know in away we really are all in the same boat, we all have our pain, and we are all just trying to manage it and to get on with our lives the best we can. It sure is nice that we all have each other to help us along! I know for me it would be might unpleasant, more likely really unbearable, not have all of you here giving me support and encouragement! I am not sure what I would do without you!

What a GREAT place this forum really is!

White Beard

WhiteBeard and Laurie, I agree with everything you both said. I couldn't have said it any better. This forum has meant everything to me and has helped me so much. I am grateful for all of you and I am glad that I have you all in my life, just like a new family!!

WhiteBeard, I hope you are doing okay. I am thinking about you and wishing you well. Tuesday is getting closer. I am sure it has been a long weekend. But hang in there. You will get all your results soon. We are all with you in our thoughts.
Anice