Kelco,
My first specialist, a neurosurgeon, treated me exactly the same way. In fact, I had exactly the same conversation with him - how can I lose weight if any amount of physical activity lays me flat for a week? I had been having intermittent back pain for about 2 years, but what really set it off was a 1 mile stroll with a friend. I couldn't move for over a week. Yup, exercise was going to help.
We did try physical therapy, which made it worse. I had the same problem with muscle spasms when twisting for wiping, and had fears this was going to progress to the point I'd have to ask my husband to wipe me - the last thing on earth I wanted.
First, don't concern yourself with what the insurance companies pay your doctor. Not only do we sign up for meraberships with insurance companies, but the doctors do too. Their merabership agreement includes the understanding this is what insurance will pay for these services. It may seem to be a huge discount from the total billing, but the doctors understand it's easier to take that amount from an insurance company then try to get that full amount from the uninsured. My insurance company is the first I've ever had where I can actually see what was billed and what was paid, and as much as this shocked me it's Blue Cross/Blue Shield...which means there's nothing unusual about it. Even the hospital bill, which was over $75,000, was paid at $11,000.
Makes you wonder about how much the uninsured pay, but that another topic...
What you need is another opinion from another doctor. Within the parameters of your insurance see if you can find someone who specializes in spines and spinal reconstruction. It does not have to be a neurosurgeon, it can also be an orthopedic surgeon. I am 4 weeks post L4-S1 fusion and I can tell you, my back was not NEARLY as bad as yours, based upon your MRI results. It's looking like I may be one of those success stories because the only pain I now have is directly related to the incision. Back is achy if I stand or sit too long, but hey, it's only 4 weeks.
You have no idea how much I can relate to your frustration. With the first doctor, I had a month of 3x/week physical therapy which resulted in constant mid-body muscle spasms every time I tried to move. They reported this to my doctor, I reported this to my doctor. After that visit I got home to a message on my answering machine from the PT office. Doctor had faxed over an order for me to continue PT. I was shocked, and told them I would not be going. I felt as if I must have been talking to a brick wall.
In the end, this neurosurgeon told me there was nothing he could do, told me to lose weight, handed me back my films and said goodbye. When I asked again how I was to lose weight he referred me to rehab. I walked out of his office in shock. When I got the information from the rehab place I was even more shocked to see I had to sign contracts regarding the drugs they'd be giving me. This was NOT the direction I wanted to go in.
Finally I decided to look around for a second opinion, and instead focused on an orthopedic surgeon instead. By luck I discovered there was one in my area that was fellowship trained in spine reconstruction at a major university, had attended a big name medical school and was considered to be tops in the field who just happened to be from this area and wanted to practice here. His policy for appointments was to first see my films, have me fill out a questionnaire about my pain history, treatment history, etc. If he felt he could help he would make an appointment. And sure enough, 2 weeks later I got a letter with a date scheduled. He was wonderful, we sat and talked for over 45 minutes. At the end of the discussion we agreed on 2 level fusion surgery, and the next thing I knew I had a flurry of nurses and secretaries working with me, standing x-rays taken for reference, and had a surgical date set up a month from then.
Best thing I ever did.
So there is hope in spite of your frustration. Try to find another surgeon, and I wish you all the best.
Paula
