I guess I must be totally nuts now

[yasmina27]

I've had lower back pain for many years. Last year around this time, it got worse & I saw my dr. I'd been to chiros numerous times, and while it felt good, their treatments never had any lasting effects - I always had to go 2-3 x's/week. So last year, I had an MRI done which showed a moderate bulge and degeneration in the lumbar region. Saw a physiatrist, who sent me to PT and gave steroids (which caused severe leg cramps).

At the end of Jan this year (in DC at the march!) my lower back had been aching again, and all of a sudden, the pain started shooting down my right leg. At first, it improved when I walked, which made work OK - I'm a middle school teacher. I had another MRI last week, which showed (according to the dr. who read it) a large, broad bulge, severe degeneration, and a benign synovial cyst, all in the L4-L5-S1 area. Now it hurts almost 100% of the time, plus I get tingling when I stand up.

So yesterday, I went to see a neurosurgeon. According to him, last year's MRI was normal, and I only have a slight slip of a disc this year. His diagnosis - "sometimes back pain occurs for no reason". He prescribed more PT and refused prescriptions for pain. He was rude, condescending and in his eyes, I could see him thinking "oh yeah, just another hysterical, pre-menopausal woman". I left in tears.

I go back to my PCP on Mon. to explore further options. I'm planning to get a second opinion.

Anyone ever had an experience like this? Total denial of your problem?

[murielm99]

1. Most of the people who post here,

regardless of their condition, have experienced total denial of their problem.

The fibromialgia (sp) people seem to have it the worst.

Many of us have heard that it is "all in our head."

My problem was diagnosed correctly, by a very good GP. However, my endocrinologist is crap. On several occasions, when I have described symptoms to her, she says that she has never heard of such a thing. That is her exact phrase. Usually, I can find the information online. But since I am paying her, I try asking her first.

I am sorry that you have experienced this. I hope you find someone who treats you better.

[lizerdbits]

3. Is it some endocrinologist thing?

I had one laugh in my face when I told him my diet and exercise routine. I'm not small so I must be a liar who stuffs my face with junk all day (actually have high testosterone levels that other doctors told me makes losing weight pretty hard for women). All I do is have my annual pap unless I'm really sick and go to a GP. I'm tired of being treated like shit and leaving in tears.

[murielm99]

4. I think it is an endocrinologist thing.

The one I go to hasn't learned or changed since she went to med school -- or so it seems to me.

I hear complaints from many people who have to see an endocrinologist. I know people with thyroid conditions who have fired two or three before they find one they like.

I do plan to let mine know what I think of her services. I have not done so yet because I have to find a nice way to say it. I would like her to learn from the experience.

But yes, I think most endos are crap. There are so few of them they think they have a captive audience.

[lizerdbits]

5. I am lucky to live in a densely populated area

It probably wouldn't be hard for me to find another one in a decent distance but he was the last straw. I had been treated like that by so many gynos that after him I just gave up and decided I'd probably be happier not seeing anyone for my issues and I was right. I found a doctor who monitored me while I stopped taking an antidepressant that was making some symptoms worse so while not completely better I'm much improved.

Good luck finding one who's helpful! :hi:

[mopinko]

2. oh, yeah. 52 years worth.

ok, it didn't start until i was about 10. but like muriel says- us fibro sufferers have had a long, long fight.
get a second opinion, of course. if that doc is right, that radiologist should be fired. doubt that, tho. really, i have seen a few really, clearly mentally impaired docs. he sounds like one. is this a "corporate owned" doc- part of a hospital staff? report him. write to your state certification board. docs like this deserve everything you can dish out to them.

[Warpy]

7. Refusal to treat pain is now a big deal

but the complaint should be restricted to that.

Really.

[Warpy]

6. Neurosurgeons generally have the bedside manner

of a puff adder with a bellyache. That's not unusual. I worked with them for many years and found few who are kind. You don't hire them for personality. You hire them for skill.

What is unusual is to dismiss a patient in pain. Tell your PCP that your pain is real, that you want a second opinion, and if the HMO won't go for it, you need a referral to a pain specialist. Offhand, I'd say a neurologist has a lot more experience reading films, and that he might have been more accurate describing the seriousness of your problem than your PCP was.

In the meantime, take the PT. The longer you can delay surgery, the better off you'll be. The success rate on lumbar disc surgery has improved, but it's not 100%. PT can increase function and decrease pain if you keep up the practice they suggest at home.

A mild opiate or a synthetic like Ultram will help you function at work. Just don't try to be pain free 100% of the time and don't take the meds to prevent pain you don't already have because that's how people run into trouble. You're looking for function, not perfection.

Backs are buggers. Untreated pain can ruin your life. Make sure you insist on appropriate treatment and good luck.

(in the meantime, ice works a LOT better than heat does.)