What Dr should I be seeing for Degenerative Disk?

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themartinfarm

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I was seeing a Chiropracter which did help but after 4 months, not enough... So, a Dr recommended I see a Specialist. The one she recommended specializes in physical medicine & rehabilitation. I have seen him 3 times & not really impressed. He doesn't seem to understand or listen. I have a severe degenerative disk & also arthritis in my disks. Not sure how much or anything because he doesn't explain stuff very well. On my 2nd visit I was telling how my upper back, shoulders & neck hurt. It's doing better now, just sore. Anyhow, it's been over a month total since pain started. He says it has nothing to do with my disk & pretty much blew it off. He acts like since it has nothing to do with the disk, it's prob in my head. I am seeing another Dr which diagnosed me with Chronic Fatigue syndrome. I will be seeing a rheumatologist about it. Maybe that's why I'm sore? Anyhow, it's frustrating & think I should see someone who is more understanding. I had an EMG done yesterday which was for nurabness in my foot. But that was over am month ago & haven't had probs lately. He doesn't listen...
Anyhow, any advice?
Also, with the disk, I know I need to see a Physical Therapist. I'm trying to catch up on medical bills first... Not just for my back but also for the Chronic Fatigue. Anyhow, this Dr acts like I'll be perfectly normal again. However my Chiropracter, who does listen, has explained that it is for life & will never be normal... I can't imagine my back not hurting. I've dealt with it for so long... Which is it?
 
Hi, again. I am glad your chiro listens to you, but I strongly urge you not to allow any manipulations on your spine until you have been able to see a spine specialist. I think I remeraber from prior posting that money is tight but until you see someone who can run the proper tests and come up with a complete
diagnosis you just aren't going to make progress.

The same is true of physical therapy. You really shouldn't be doing it unless approved by a spine specialist. Just like the chiro, they can cause more problems if they aren't aware of what is wrong exactly.

You would be doing yourself a favor if you would see a Orthpedic Spine
Specialist or a Neurosurgeon who specializes in the spine. That does not mean you need surgery, but you will be in the hanRAB of someone who really knows how to look at your tests, such as MRI, and find the problem. By seeing so many different kinRAB of doctors for the same problem, you are only going in circles.

It's quite possible that you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia and a rheumatologist is the right doctor to diagnose that, but not your back. He should be able to tell you which you have, if not both. Fibro does cause muscle soreness all over.

Hope this helps and that you find the right person for your problems. Please keep letting us know how you are doing.

Carol
 
oh, i understand how you feel. back problems are so difficult because it's not like a broken arm, where the doctor can clearly see that there is a problem. if they had to deal with this constant pain, they would be much more sympathetic toward us. just stick to your guns and get the help you need and deserve!
 
I have the severe degenerative disk which was caused from an injury yrs ago. Just so bad these days I had to seek help. I also have Arthritis which was diagnosed with the MRI along with the bad disk. The inflamation hurts but the Dr acts like it's nothing... ugh
 
You asked about which kind of dr is best for you. Personally, I recommend an Orthopedic Spine Specialist over the neurosurgeon. That;s because I have found them to be more sympathetic, better listeners, and aren't as quick to get you into surgery. I know that there are neuro spine specialists out there who are the same way, but I've not ever seen one that didn't want to be bothered with particulars or questions. Even had one look at my films, told me I needed surgery and to call when I was ready to schedule....he didn't even look at me once before leaving the room as I was asking a question. Maybe that soured me, ya think?

I sure hope that the rheumy can pinpoint your problem with the aching muscles, etc. and get you on some medication that will help. Will you please let me know what he tells you?

Carol
 
Hi Carol!
You are always such a great help! :)
Which do you think is best between the two? Orthpedic Spine Specialist or a Neurosurgeon? I don't know the difference...
I had an MRI done which diagnosed the Degenerative disk & Arthritis... Already knew about the disk from x-rays... I didn't know about the Arthritis which the Dr said was normal with back problems... I do feel like I'm spending all this time & $ to be told the same thing over & over...
I have allot of inflammation which is causing me the pain... Or so I"m told... I had an EMG yesterday which didn't show any nerve problems, muscle slightly off but he says my problem is the inflammation... Ugh... I feel like I'm getting nowhere.

I have almost every symptom from Chronic Fatigue... But it's very close to Fibro... I don't have the tender spots like Fibro... But my body has always felt heavy, sore & tired. Anymore I seem to have more aches & pains. Like yesterday, my upper legs were really sore. Like I'd walked all day... I thought maybe the EMG would say something about it, but nothing came up. I'm not comfortable talking to that Back Dr about it, or anyone else, because anytime I talk about something bothering me, Drs look at me like I'm crazy. I've had allot of problems for 12 yrs. I could write a book... Dr's look at my like I'm a hypochondriac but if you go into my medical history, it's the same thing I've always went to the Dr about... When I broke my wrist is 3places, I didn't go to the hospital till the next day. I kept hoping the swelling would go down & was just a sprain. I don't go to Dr's unless I have to. I recently had Bronchitis, managed to kick it on my own. It's frustrating knowing it's not in my head, feeling the way I do 24/7, & nothing can be done about it. But, I finally found a Dr who listened, took me serious, diagnosed me with the Chronic Fatigue & referring me out to someone who can help... Wish I'd of found her 12 yrs ago! lol
Anyhow, Thanks for listening & all your help. I'm just so frustrated. Just want to bury myself in a hole & not have to deal with stupid Dr's... ugh
 
Thank You :)
I believe there is a Orthopedic Spine Specialist close by. I believe I'd have to drive an extra hour to nee a neuro so I'm glad you recommended the 1st one :)
My body has felt, sore, tired & heavy for 12 years now... Just recently actual pain... I've had one is called Brain Fog for 12 yrs. That actually happened about 2 weeks or so after I was hit with allot of Fatigue. It's been one problem after another since... I've seen many Dr's. One said it was allergies, another said I just needed to exercise & lose weight. After a few years I was hit with depression & had that ever since. One Dr said I couldn't be depressed because I don't want to kill myself... I thought she was nuts. Through the 12 yrs I have done allot of reading trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I went to numerous Dr's. No one wanted to listen. Most of them looked at me like I was nuts then changed the subject. I have allot of Thyroid probs, one put me on the meRAB which has helped. Anyhow, after 12 yrs I finally had a Dr give me a diagnosis which has been a break through! Unfortunately I've spent 12 yrs trying to find a cure & know what's wrong with me. There is no cure. Just ways of managing it... I'm hoping the Rhumetologist will be able to help me... Dr's have ways of making you feel like it's all in your head... Even though you know it's not. But it's hard for others to understand something they have never had to go through. If I didn't go through it myself I'd probably think I was nuts also! lol

Anyhow, Thank You again for all your help! I'll look into making an appointment with this other Dr. :)
 
hi - i don't post often, but yours caught my attention. you deserve to be treated respectfully and to have your doctor be attentive when you speak to him/her. as my husband says, "when i'm in their office and the insurance or myself is paying their fee, i am their employer".

i hope you can find someone who will take good care of you - don't give up. it can be frustrating, i know, when you feel as if no one believes you. but just keep trying. take care. jill
 
Thank You Jill :)
You're right, I am paying them, allot of $ at that... I'm Thankful to finally find a medical Dr who is just wonderful! Only took 12 yrs... I'm hoping the Rhumetologist will be a Good Dr also...
With the Back Dr. it's like he knows my problem but has no idea how bad it actually hurts. He acts like the inflammation is no big deal. I feel like I'm wasting his time when I'm there but in reality, he's wasting mine... ugh...
 
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