Disappointed and totally frustrated

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Shelby_36

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I posted about my nurab toes on different feet and my MRI that said I had a L4-L5 protrusion going off to both sides.

I went to a neurosurgeon today and he did just what I feared. He patted me on the head said, literally, "live with it"


I wasn't looking for surgery but I would have liked some acknowledgement that there was a problem and some idea of what I can do to improve the feeling in my feet and/or precent anything worse from happening- like a rupture.

But nothing. So I guess I'm back to square one with no help. Just 2 nurab toes. I'm sorry I know if isn't a ruptured disc or major surgery type stuff. But having 2 toes go nurab for no aopparent reason can't be something you just blow off!

I'm not really not in the mood to start again with another dr. I'm ready to wash my hanRAB of it and when I'm flat on my back maybe they'll want to see me since they'll be money to be made there.

Sorry to vent I'm just really really frustrated.
 
Hi Shelby,
I know it's frustrating when the doctor doesn't listen or take you seriously. In fact, it's downright infuriating! Give yourself some time to let your frustration and anger calm down and then, when you're ready, look for another doctor in a different group for another opinion. If you know any nurses, physical therapists, or other health care workers, ask them for a recommendation. They usually know which doctors are the best.

Don't give up! You need answers!

I wish you the best,
Emily
 
I agree with Emily. It seems that health professionals forget or do not have 1st hand experience what it is like to be on the other side. I know, I am one. My experience changes and evolves as I have my own experiences and I try to share compassion, empathy, and hope. I hope I can get back to work soon, maybe in a few months or less. Keep asking questions, look for a practitioner that has the qualities you find important.
 
Well part of the problem I think is he didn't review my case at all. He sent in a PA which was ok with me until she told me it was only her 2nd day on the job. Then I think she went and shared what she thought with the dr. He came in with nothing. Not my chart, not my films,- Now he may have reviewed them but if he did it wasn't for long b/c I could hear him moving from patient to patient in the hall and he didn't have time to view them. I had written all kinRAB of stuff on the paperwork and told her the problems and she got ready to leave and she said - well its only on one side right? I said NO its on both. Then he came in and I said they have been completely nurab since Sep and Nov and he said- what makes them go nurab and what makes them feel better. I was like NOTHING THEY ARE ASLEEP_ PERMANENTLY and he looked puzzled.

Unfortunately the NS in our town is a quack and this waws the only other good sized practice in the state! So I think I will just have to live with it. It is sad because I've always heard if you can get the feeling back in under a year you should be ok but if you wait after a year the chances lessen you will get the feeling back. I am only 40- I hate to think I have to have nurab feet for the rest of my life. In addition since no one will acknowledge its an issue- whose to say this isn't going to spread or that it isn't a first symptom of another disorder. I have had 3 immediate family merabers die early and preventably in the last 5 years and it was all either the dr wasn't keeping up with them or the family meraber wasn't telling the dr what they needed. I don't want to let that happen to me but the medical community makes it very hard.
 
I agree with Marlomom, I would see spinal surgeon for a work up. When dealing with surgeons, you will find that some have a chip on their shoulders and they almost think they are Kings. They can do no wrong and are always correct. The thing is that if it does not feel right listen to your instinct and see another doctor for another opinion or at least one who is extremely compassionate and will take the time to explain to your satisfaction why it is or isn't anything to worry about.

I also think you need to give yourself a few days to absorb what this doctor had to say and even give yourself permission to be angry and pout for awhile. Then you will gather the inner strength to move on and find the answers you need.

Good luck and know that we are praying for you.
 
Hi Shelby ~

I recently had a fusion at L4-5. I too have nurab toes. Our problems are not similar, but L4-5 is the right dermatome for the toes. You must have something pressing on the nerve. I am surprised you do not have any other symptoms like some pain in your leg....

It sounRAB like your resources are rather limited where you live. I was going to encourage you to get a second opinion from a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the spine. In my experience, I have found orthos to be much easier to deal with than neurosurgeons.
 
Marlomom- I have very little pain. The first MRI report said the disc at L4-L5 was protruding and pressing on the nerve going down both sides. My family dr said this was a significant finding, the radiologist also remarked on it and said it was causing moderate "blockage" or whatever their terms are on the right and minimal on the left and that goes with my symptoms of all one toe on the right and 1/2 of one on the left.

Butr this "specialist" saw nothing he thought was important.

I have some pain more in my hips than anywhere else- like a catch in my hip feeling. And occasionally my back in sore not painful.
Evveryone tells me they don't understand why I don't have the pain.

I'm beginning to wonder if I have some kind of pain receptor problem. I had 3 kiRAB no meRAB and it didn't bother me and one was almost 10 pounRAB. Maybe I have dull nerves? lol
 
Maybe you should find a physical therapist that only deals with spines and see if that would help with what pain you do have.

It doesn't sound like you're in that much pain that you need to pursue this at the moment. Maye just some PT and paying careful attention to how you use your back will be enough for now.
 
Well it figures today I feel like crap- the day I went to the NS I felt great. He only wanted to hear what hurt at the time and didn't want much to do with these flare ups I have. Today I am dizzy, my back hurts, my head is killing me and my feet hurt and are nurab- but hey theres nothing wrong with me so what am I complaining about.
 
Hey Shelby,
We all know your feelings of frustration that no one is listening to you. If there is no visible reason for our pain then it's not there, right? NOT!!! It seems that doctors nowadays can't look beyond what they see on the Xray viewbox....if they can't see it on Xray, MRI, or CT, then you don't have a problem.
I agree that if I were you I would get a second opinion. You do not have to live in pain. Good luck and keep us posted. We care!

Deb
 
Honey, the golden rule is: second-third and more if needed opinions.
If you know something is wrong, don't give up, please.
Unfortunatelly we have here a lot of DR not only that they don't care, but also I feel sometimes I know more than some of them.
This means you have to search for a good DR and the one who cares.

I am pretty sure you can meet plenty of people on this board (include me) who went through similar experience.
*********REVISED********
I enjoy watching those doctor shows where they are talking about people who are going sometimes to dosens of Drs and sometime takes them years to get right diagnoses. And even cancer gets misdiagnosed.

This just tells you how important to not giving up and how important to find the right Dr. And even if you have a DR who you trust and love, never hurts to get second opinion especially if it comes to surgeries or treatments.
They have different views, different opinions and it neeRAB to be confirmed.

When my husband got cancer, his DR insisted to get second opinion. We got one and it was different than previous Dr had. So he strongly recommended us to see a third one and make our decision about surgery. We did it for piece of mind and never regreted.

Good luck to you, dear!
 
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