Nerve and Muscle damage L5 S1

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alliej0225

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Please I need some answers. I went to the Neuro docrtor yesterday for nerve conduction study. Was told i had muscle and nerve damage on L5 S1. But wasn't told what could be done. I need help on understanding this. I am in constant pain. Have already tried physical therapy and the pain management, both did not work. Does anyone know what I can expect?
So far, I haven't heard anything else. Was told primary care doctor would refer me. But I still would like to know what to expect and what questions that I can ask. Please help.
 
Sorry, but I am not understanding you. If you have been to Pain Management, do you mind telling us what they have offered you? Also, your primary care doc referred you to where? What questions do you need answered and you need to know what to expect in terms of what? Sorry for not understanding:(....janiee
 
You need to advocate for yourself

(1) Find names of good Orthopedic Spine Surgeons and Neurosurgeons in your area. This may come from talking to frienRAB, family or acquaintances, or doctors you trust to start and then looking into each doctor's background. Seeing an OSS or NS doesn't necessarily mean surgery, but they can help you with surgical and non-surgical treatment options

(2) Stay in a well planned Pain Management program with a pain management physician. Good pain management, while you are in pain, means ongoing treatment. I see my PM doc (or his Nurse Practitioner) EVERY month. We discuss how I am doing, what has changed, how the meRAB are working, etc. They can also be a good source of referrals to surgeons.

(3) Nerve damage can mean you have a disc problem, or vertebrae problem, where it's impinging on a nerve. And in addition you may have some muscle spasms. But without knowing what the test results show it's hard to tell what exactly you are describing. Also, let us know what symptoms you have that led you to treatment.

(4) Every time you get a test (x-ray, CT, MRI, etc) make sure that after you see the doctor you ask for a copy of the "report". After you have an MRI a radiologist dictates a report. These are key for you to keep and seek to understand. Also make sure you take custody of all MRI and CT films. My OSS keeps the x-rays he takes at his office but all CT and MRI are my property and I have to keep them. Then I make sure to bring them to every appointment.
 
Pain management injected my back with, I assume, cortizone(I hope I spelled that right). I have been to physical therapy on 3 different occasions and didn't get any relief, just more pain. My primary care doctor, to tell the truth, looks at me like I am a hyperchondriac. Even though each time something is wrong with my health it was something very legitament. I really don't know which way to turn. I was a nurse practioner with a neuro surgeon's office and she told me there wasn't any damange to the spine. Just learn to live with it. Nothing the surgeon could do. Well, now I don't know where I should seek advice. My primary care doctor is on vacation for 3 weeks and the other doctors in that practice doesn't like to recommend anything other than for their own patients. So, I am back to square one. I have no idea what questions to ask or to whom I should ask. I've had paralegal classes and worked for non-profit organization that dealt with victims of violent crimes....please give me something that I know about....not this. lol
 
If you can find another Orthopedic Spine Surgeon or Neurosurgeon, that is well regarded, see if you can refer yourself. You can call your insurance customer service to see if you can go see a specialist without a referral. If so seek out a good NS or OSS for consultation.
 
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