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Saw surgeon again, don't like the news

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Posted 10/20/2012 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All -

I finally saw "my" surgeon again, for the first time in months, a couple of days ago.  I was looking at my MRI that was up on the screen when he walked in, and I could tell he didn't like the fact that I didn't budge and he had to walk around me....I'm getting so perverse in my old age devil but really...this guy is such a prima donna, how could I help it?

Then he got all irritable with me because I asked him why one side of the MRI looked so different from the other.  He was about to leave and come back when his assistant got something different up on the screen, but knowing that would solve nothing, I assured him that if he said it was normal, fine.  eyes NOT the kind of doc who cares if his patients understand anything.

Anyway, when I asked if there were any particular exercises I should be doing, he said, "I would be very careful.  Some people can do anything, but you are like a porcelain doll."  I asked if I would have more disc problems, and he said, "probably."  The only exercises he recommended above and beyond my PT were toe-and-heel-walking.

My PCP had said I should ask him what he thought about stem-cell injections, knowing this guy does them (my regular doc has had them in his knee.)  He said, "Well, now that - yeah - I'd inject your lower 3 discs."  Fat chance.  I'll be lucky to have health insurance at all next month.  sad

Debbie 

Posted 10/20/2012 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
Shoot! I can't stand a doctor who's like that!

I have DD & FD and I know the pain you're going through, and to have to deal with that snob too. :P (to him) (O;
Posted 10/21/2012 5:26 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Joy.

I remembered something else he said...that he thinks I have a lot of nerve damage. Ok, now it occurs to me to ask how he came to this conclusion...(by what he saw when he did the surgery? Or just what I tell him?) And just what does "very careful" mean, anyway?

I wish every doc could be like my PCP - he'll tell me this stuff. And he actually welcomes discussion about it. I realize the relationship is different, it's ongoing and broader, but - dang it! I'm going to call and ask his assistant.

By the way, you said you have facet disease - I had a facetectomy while he did the discectomy - I wonder if that means I have it too? I could Google this (and probably will) - but how exactly does this manifest?

Thanks again :)

Debbie
Posted 10/21/2012 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie, I'm sorry your appointment was disapointing. Calling to get a explanation sounds like a good thing. Too bad your doc wasn't more forthcoming with info for you.

Having degenerative disc disease, we are always at risk. Our discs can become unstable. It doesn't take a lot to throw our backs out of alignment.

I don't know much about facetectomy , but I think it is a procedure to help stabilize the facet joint when they are doing a laminectomy or discectomy.

Good luck, my friend :)

Hugs, Robin
Posted 10/21/2012 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Robin. Yeah, I know you do understand - all too well!

Debbie
Posted 10/21/2012 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Mine came from a car wreck I had as a young woman.
I was in the back seat of the car and we were hit on my side of the car. It messed up my back for 6 months. I couldn't walk without my right leg giving out from under me without warning. I should of gone to the ER after the accident but I was too focused on my parents (mom hurt her hand and dad his shoulders). Plus I had a phobia of ERs then.

The back doctor thinks it cause arthritis to develop there.

Degenerative Facet is when the facets start to split and crack too.

My MRI shows the joint looking like you took two separated pieces of playdough and smash the ends together. It's kind of smooshed and pushed out around the edges with no disk inbetween. It's very cracked and ragged looking.
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