HELP: I need a new back dr. in cleveland, ohio

  • Thread starter Thread starter Crystalhurts
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Crystalhurts

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Hello!

I have been to both University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic. Out of the two of them, the Cleveland Clinic seems to be a better fit for me. More professional, though the disadvantage of almost all these types of doctors is the wait. I called the Spine Center at the Cleveland Clinic, it's in the Walker Center. I know what's it's like to be in so much pain, and be so young, i'm only 24. I hope you start feeling better. Right now, I'm in Pain Management, and am going through a Facet Nerve Block tomorrow. Scared, but hoping this will help. Good luck!

Crystal~
 
I have had lower back pain for over 1 year. I FINALLY had an MRI done last week and it showed that I have lurabor stenosis at L4/L5 and a bulging disc at L5/S1. I have nurabness in my left leg, foot and toes and extreme pain in my lower back. I did go to physical therapy last year, but it did not help. The doctor does not seem concerned about my pain, and I don't have an appt. until July 6th! I am taking Tramadol for pain, it barely takes the edge off. When I called the doctors office, the nurse told me that I need to let the medicine build up in my system. I told her that I am in extreme pain and everything I do hurts, sitting, walking, ect. I also have three children under the age of 7, so I can't lie in bed all day. She responded that a great deal of people have pain all the time, that I should just change positions every 15-20 minutes! I am only 38 years old and do not want to live this way for another day. If anyone out there has been to a doctor in cleveland, ohio and was satisfied, I would love to hear about it! THANK YOU
 
Crystal, I hope that your nerve block worked and that you are feeling better, I went to see my dr. last week who is a spine dr. at the clinic. I explained to him that I did not feel that he was treating me as an individual, that he deals with backs/spines every day and that he doesn't understand the kind of pain I am in. I told him that my quality of life is decreased due to my pain. I think that he got the picture and was more sympathetic and gave me something more for pain. He did recommend that I consult with a surgeon, I have been in pain for over 1 year and PT does not help. So I do feel that I am finally getting somewhere. I know that I truly have to advocate for myself, because I am just another patient. I think that I will stay with him for now. Thanks to everyone who responded.
 
Glad you were able to speak up for yourself....sometimes, that's the only thing that will work. I've heard good things about Dr. Jamie Henderson @ the clinic....is a NS. Haven't seen him myself. Still w/ PM ~ Dr. Nagy Mekhail. Had nucleoplasty on 1/9 - didn't work, but ~ am getting caudal steroid inj on 6/22....which I know has helped me in the past, am hoping for relief again.

Anyway...good luck w/ your doc and tx.

kk
 
Nyantek--Have you been to the Cleveland Clinic? A nuraber of people on this board found answers there that they hadn't found elsewhere.

Standingman
 
yes, as a matter of fact, the Doctor I see is from the clinic. I would like to stay with the clinic, but would like a name of a different doctor who is more compassionate of my pain. Thanks for your reply
 
My doctor is Yannick Grenier at Southwest General. She took me pretty quickly when I had my problem, and seemed to know what she was doing. Not much she could do about my post-surgical nerve pain except tell me to wait it out (it is going down a bit every day now, one month later). I heard good things about her from others as well.
 
Dr. Willam Bingaman did my L-4/L-5 Fusion at the Cleveland Clinic Oct 2001! He did a Great Job! I'm still Pain & MeRAB. Free living a Normal life!! My Hats off to this Guy......Whata Doc!!! Real decent Guy!
He explained everything in laymans terms! I knew exacly what to expect!
I asked .......Will I be 70%? 80%?? He said you'll be out golfing next year!!
(I don't golf......never have) But I can mow the lawn---work everyday-snow blow in the Winter-Drive-Walk-Run-with NO Pain!!
You might want to look this Doc up!?
He is 8 hrs. from where I live.......Glad I made the trip!!
 
Who are you dealing with at the Clinic-the spine group or pain management. I've seen Benzel, Mazanec, Dews, etc.

I'm 40 (male) with two kiRAB under 3 1/2 so I can definitely relate.

Trust me, surgery should be your last resort (I've had 2 laminectomies)

Have you tried massage therapy, chiropractors or acupuncture? I'm looking into it and a more holistic approach as I've struck out after surgeries, pt, etc. I've found ice helps eliminate swelling and decreases pain.

Feel free to respond and good luck!
 
Dr. Jaimie Henderson was my neurosurgeon and he was great; however, he is leaving the clinic as of August 1st to go to work for Stanford University so he would not be a good one to see. I am looking for a new dr. myself even though I am doing just fine now.
Jill
 
I see Dr. Santhosh Thomas out at the Westlake branch of Cleveland Clinic. I recommend him very highly.
 
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