new to the boards..need experienced advice!

J

JennaBear

New member
Hi. I am hoping some of you posting on these boarRAB may have gone through or are going through similar problems I am facing. I have been suffering from back problems for the last 10 years. It started with one herniated disc from an accident, and has become one of multi-level disc bulges, degenerative disc problems, spinal stenosis, etc. It started in my lurabar spine, and has now travelled up to my cervical. I have had several MRI's in recent years, showing the deterioration that is going on. I had an MRI in 2005 on my lurabar and thoracic spine, which showed what I described above for my lurabar, including narrowing of the joints, nerve impingement, etc...and my thoracic (which was the first time MRI was done on this part of my spine) showed serious disc bulging from T2- T9. I just had another MRI come back today that was done a few weeks ago, and now I have problems in my cervical spine also, specifically in the area of C4-5.

Here is my problem. I have seen numerous specialists in the past, including orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists. I do not really want to see another ortho because I find that if they are not going to operate on you, they really don't want to deal with you - and physiatrists really don't do much as far as treatment. I am currently on disability, and am in the care of the same GP for the last 8 years, who has seen my deterioration, and supports me 100%. My concern is that I think I would benefit from being in the care (even if it's only a once-a-year visit) of another specialist, but I am not sure what kind to try? Anyone have any good experiences with chronic back problems and a neurologist??

Any suggestions would be welcome. Sorry for going on so long!

Cheers!
 
Hi there. My goodness, you have so much going on there. If you wish to see someone neuro, you need a neurosurgeon not a neurologist. There is a difference. Neurologists do more like treating epliepsy and such. A Neurosurgeon does more training of 6+ years in surgery and do more specialized sectors such as spine surgery, brain, etc.

You have a huge amount of issues going on. In being candid, I am not sure you would be considered to be a candidate for surgery here in the US, but I do not know how the NHS works there.

More likely they would do their best to treat you non-surgically through pain management. But there is not reason why you shouldn't be under the watchful care of a spine specialist. I would start searching.

I do hope you get some much needed relief.
 
I agree with justoneofus, You need to see a neurosurgeon and I would check in to getting in to pain management.
 
First of all - so sorry you leave in CP, I know how hard this is.
I had 2 spinal multi-level fusions done. I am in a care of PM DR and Neurologist.
PM sent me to Neurologist also since I have a lot of nerve damage and after surgery Arachnoidities. It causes great deal of nerve pain and other nerve related symptoms.
PM Dr deals with my pain overall and both of them working on helping me.
GP may be a good DR for you, but I would defianatelly go to a specialist in this area. I would not stay with my GP. PM and Neurologist get trained with all the new research, new meRAB... My GP is an excellent DR but he questioned me once why am I on Neurontin, this is antisessure medication.
When I told him that this is a very well known meRAB to treat nerve pain, he seemed suprise... See, and he is a very good DR!!! But this in not his area.

Best of luck to you, dear heart.:angel:
 
Hi Deeannek - I agree completely - we are very lucky to have the marijuana option. I wouldn't buy it illegally either - but my doctor had no problem filling out the forms for me. She estimates about 1/3 of all the people in Canada who are on the 'list' for legal use are there due to severe pain from spinal problems. It's a real shame that so many people cannot get pain relief unless it's through man-made chemicals, which are usually addictive and often dangerous.

Cheers
 
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