revision possible

mwolf2022 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-01-2011, 10:34 PM

Hi Mark ,

The doc just went with the mri report and fused that level.When the pain started after fusion they did a discogram and all other disc were negative.I would hate to feel what a positive result would of been.

I do not believe the sacrum was scanned , the doctor seems to have tunnel vision and is just focusing on the fused level.

I may just have to get all my stuff together and send them out to a doctor and get there opinion.

mmglobal · #2 (**permalink**) 02-01-2011, 10:50 PM

People can have sacral cysts that are completely asymptomatic. Then, a trauma like an accident or a surgery, can change things enough so they become highly symptomatic.

I was going to ask about discograms, but since you said no back pain before the surgery, discograms would not have been indicated.

Hopefully, it is something that will fade on it's own, or that can be diagnosed and fixed. The possiblity that collateral damage from the surgery just f'ed things is scary. However, don't give up. But, before you do something else, you (and your docs) must be more certain about the diagnosis and rule out other possibilities. Don't do anything based on wishful thinking or the doctor that just tells you what you want to hear.

Mark

PS... you understand that I'm not a doctor and simply share my experience and opinions. Don't believe what you read on the internet (expecially from me!) If it's on the internet, it must be true!

mwolf2022 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-01-2011, 11:18 PM

Mark ,

I will ask about the cysts and piriformis syndrome. I was hoping it was pain that would just fade away , but is has been like this since august 09.

Whatever is causing the pain seems to be staying. I forgot to mention that I was pretty much pain free after the fusion(except for the normal aches).

Then one day I made a twisting motion getting something out of the car and had a intense stab in the low back.I woke up the next morning with this pain and it has never went away and that was 15 months ago.

Thanks for the info.

mwolf2022 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-22-2011, 02:59 PM

Just a update , I saw a new pain specialist - rehab doctor yesterday. Guess what he decided was the next course of action.

PT which I have already been to for well over 3 months with no results. I don't know where to go from here.

I have a appointment with my pcp next week and will ask his opinion.It is really sad that the only Dr that seems to care and try to figure out what is going on is my pcp. All the specialists seem like they don't want to be bothered , or offer treatments that have already failed.

I guess I will be looking for another Dr to try and figure out what is causing this pain.
On A side note has anybody ever heard of a MRN exam.

Seems like it would be beneficial , but it is not covered by most insurances.

dshobbies · #5 (**permalink**) 02-22-2011, 04:10 PM

It took years to surround myself with doctors who care. We simply don't have that kind of time with specialists. My gp's philosophy is if you don't know what's wrong, try harder. Whenever I ask for a referral, I make sure he understands I want someone just like him - but...

Sorry you're encountering what most of us have already experienced. Just curious - what did he say when you informed him pt hasn't worked for 3 months? Maybe he thinks you should try harder

Dale

mwolf2022 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-22-2011, 04:36 PM

Hey Dale ,

He said he didnt think the therapist put me through enough exercises.
Mind you before the fusion I went to the gym 5 days a week and was able to tolerate light exercises and stretching.

Now I cant even sit on a bike for two minutes without my butt feeling like it is on fire.

The thing that is funny is they all want me to do flexion exercises to stretch the disc back.I had a fusion there is no disk.

mmglobal · #7 (**permalink**) 02-22-2011, 09:39 PM

MRN is MRI - Neurography. It is an MRI with the parameters tweaked so it shows nerve tissues and other surrounding soft tissues better. It's quite expensive. I've had many clients get MRN with mixed results.

Call me.... number on the GPN website if you would like to have a brief discussion about it. (no charge of course.)

Mark

mwolf2022 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-24-2011, 04:40 PM

I thought I would ask everybody there opinion.I am going to see my pcp next week and will ask for a new mri to be done as the last one I have had was almost 2 years ago.

My question is what part of the body should be included in the scan.I have had a discogram done all levels above the fusion were negative.

Should I ask for lumbar spine , sacral area , pelvic area. All my pain is in the buttocks , and I dont want to get this done again and not include all the areas that could be causing the pain.

Thanks

Mike