[wllwrt4fd]

Hi everyone,

I've been in and out of doctor's offices for almost a year now. Last year, during my senior year of college I began to get an unusual feeling of numbness every time I wore any clothes on my lower half. It seems lately though that my right leg is far worse off than my left. I'm really starting to get discouraged because it seems like they've tried almost every conceivable test and yet still no answers. My condition has baffled multiple doctors and specialists. I've a cervical, thoracic, and brain MRI all of which came back clear.
Recently my chiropractor discovered that I have a little bit of Lordosis and Scoliosis, although my neurologist says that doesn't really explain all of my symptoms. I've also had a spinal tap, which came back negative for everything. I have one of the best doctors in the US looking at my case and even he's stumped. I don't know what to do anymore. The only thing they haven't done is an MRI of my lumbar Spine. How can I pressure the insurance company into getting this done for me? What else should I try? I've also had every blood test imaginable for all those who were wondering and they all came back negative, but I know something is wrong. I just don't feel normal. My chiropractor also recently discovered that my Atlas was misaligned. I don't know what to do or think anymore. It's so frustrating.

[gatorhead]

Lower numbness for me would be an automatic lumbar MRI. Sure the Cervical and even thoracic could play roles with the lower body but the Lumbar is the nerve exodus to the lower extremities.

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by wllwrt4fd

How can I pressure the insurance company into getting this done for me? What else should I try?

If one of the best doctors in the US can't justify one to your ins. co., I don't know any way you could pressure them.

If you want it badly enough to pay for it out of pocket, shop around. Prices (w & w/o contrast) range from ~$500 -- ~$2000.

Doc

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by wllwrt4fd

Hi everyone,

I've been in and out of doctor's offices for almost a year now. Last year, during my senior year of college I began to get an unusual feeling of numbness every time I wore any clothes on my lower half. It seems lately though that my right leg is far worse off than my left. I'm really starting to get discouraged because it seems like they've tried almost every conceivable test and yet still no answers. My condition has baffled multiple doctors and specialists. I've a cervical, thoracic, and brain MRI all of which came back clear.
Recently my chiropractor discovered that I have a little bit of Lordosis and Scoliosis, although my neurologist says that doesn't really explain all of my symptoms. I've also had a spinal tap, which came back negative for everything. I have one of the best doctors in the US looking at my case and even he's stumped. I don't know what to do anymore. The only thing they haven't done is an MRI of my lumbar Spine. How can I pressure the insurance company into getting this done for me? What else should I try? I've also had every blood test imaginable for all those who were wondering and they all came back negative, but I know something is wrong. I just don't feel normal. My chiropractor also recently discovered that my Atlas was misaligned. I don't know what to do or think anymore. It's so frustrating.

You didn't say where your numbness was, other than insinuating it was your legs. Since it is associated with your clothing, has anyone considered meralgia paraesthetica? It IS curious with your stated lower extremity complaints that a lumbar MRI was not considred by your neurologist....perhaps your clinical findings did not support one?

Regarding the chiropractic dogma, give it 2-4 weeks...if not improving....well...IMHO!

[wllwrt4fd]

The condition you listed meralgia paraesthetica could definitely be a possibility. I'll mention it to my doctor. Thanks(:

[Dubious]

Originally Posted by wllwrt4fd

The condition you listed meralgia paraesthetica could definitely be a possibility. I'll mention it to my doctor. Thanks(:

I am hoping that is what it is! If it is so, MP is an irritation to a superfiscial (lateral femoral) cutaneous nerve that is an annoyance, not a serious problem. Usually it just involves identifying the offending problem then it all fades away. But you of course, need someone to definatively diagnose your problem. Good luck!

[wllwrt4fd]

Originally Posted by Dubious

I am hoping that is what it is! If it is so, MP is an irritation to a superfiscial (lateral femoral) cutaneous nerve that is an annoyance, not a serious problem. Usually it just involves identifying the offending problem then it all fades away. But you of course, need someone to definatively diagnose your problem. Good luck!

Unfortunately, my doctor doesn't think that condition is consistent with my symptoms, but I might get a Lumbar MRI next Friday as long as the insurance company approves it, so maybe I'll get some answers after that. Thanks though, I appreciate it. It also made me think about looking into problems with sensory nerves a little bit more(:

[Leesa]

I can't believe that the doctors didn't do a lumbar MRI first!!! Why a spinal tap? That doesn't even sound reasonable! I would think that the lumbar MRI would have been first in their minds, but who knows what goes thru their heads.

And PLEASE -- since you dont' know what the problem is DON'T GO TO THE CHIROPRACTOR!!! Any manipulation at this point could put you in a wheel chair. Two different neurosurgeons told me that any spinal patient needs to steer clear of Chiros' unless they want to end up paralyzed, and especially if you don't have a diagnosis!

I hope your neuro can convince the insurance company that this MRI is needed for a proper diagnosis! And please let us know what the report says once you have it. We can help decipher it when you get it. Best of luck & God bless. Hugs, Lee

[Dubious]

And PLEASE -- since you dont' know what the problem is DON'T GO TO THE CHIROPRACTOR!!! Any manipulation at this point could put you in a wheel chair. Two different neurosurgeons told me that any spinal patient needs to steer clear of Chiros' unless they want to end up paralyzed, and especially if you don't have a diagnosis!

Enough with the "scare" tactics. To put manipulation into perspective, here is what is published:

A number of literary reviews of serious occurrences from chiropractic adjustments have been documented. The most exhaustive study discussed 113 cases of vertebro-basilar accidents following spinal manipulative therapy, from 1934 to 1987, a period of 53 years. Of the cases documented 66 were chiropractic, 18 medical, 9 osteopathic, 2 physical therapist and the remaining 13 were divided between “wife,” “self,” and “unknown”.

Let’s put these numbers in perspective. There were 66 chiropractic cases in 53 years; a little more than one per year. There are currently about 52,000 chiropractors in practice treating, on average, about 100 patients per week. That works out to 5.2 million adjustments per week or 286 million adjustments per year. This works out to 1 to 2 cases of stroke, paralysis or death per 286 million adjustments. Maigne has stated, “there is probably less than one death of this nature out of several tens-of-millions of manipulations.” No matter how one interprets the results, more people die from complications of drugs and surgery in one single afternoon than in decades of cervical adjustments. As a comparison to the risk of manipulation, the risk of paralysis from neurosurgery of the cervical spine is 15,000 cases per million.

Haldeman S, Kohlbeck FJ, McGregor M. Risk factors and precipitating neck movements causing vertebrobasilar artery dissection after cervical trauma and spinal manipulation. Spine 1999:24(8), pp785-794 Excerpt from http://scnhs.com/faqs.

In short, spinal surgery is many times more deadly and injurious than manipulation. Death and injury from anti-inflammatory medication is more dangerous than manipulation and less than surgery.

[Dr. Smith]

Documented by whom? Many things have been published, and while rare, vertebro-basilar stroke is only one of the risks associated with chiropractic.

Published Reports

In 1992, researchers at the Stanford Stroke Center asked 486 California members of the American Academy of Neurology how many patients they had seen during the previous two years who had suffered a stroke within 24 hours of neck manipulation by a chiropractor. The survey was sponsored by the American Heart Association. A total of 177 neurologists reported treating 56 such patients, all of whom were between the ages of 21 and 60. One patient had died, and 48 were left with permanent neurologic deficits such as slurred speech, inability to arrange words properly, and vertigo (dizziness). The usual cause of the strokes was thought to be a tear between the inner and outer walls of the vertebral arteries, which caused the arterial walls to balloon and block the flow of blood to the brain. Three of the strokes involved tears of the carotid arteries [3]. In 1991, according to circulation figures from Dynamic Chiropractic, California had about 19% of the chiropractors practicing in the United States, which suggests that about 147 cases of stroke each year were seen by neurologists nationwide. Of course, additional cases could have been seen by other doctors who did not respond to the survey.

[More...]

Excerpt from http://www.quackwatch.org/01Quackery...irostroke.html

In short, there are at least two sides (and often more) to any/every issue. Reports published by chiropractors tend to support chiropractic; reports by others tend to be more objective, or biased in other directions.

Even the Mayo Clinic, one of the most conservative sites online, which grants:

Chiropractic adjustment is safe when it's performed by someone trained and licensed to deliver chiropractic care. Serious complications associated with chiropractic adjustment are overall rare, but may include:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chi...DSECTION=risks

still cautions:

Don't seek chiropractic adjustment if you have:

Severe osteoporosis
Numbness, tingling or loss of strength in an arm or leg
Cancer in your spine
An increased risk of stroke
An unstable spine

Ibid.

IMO, both sides should be examined to get a balanced perspective.
risks of chiropractic includes articles by both chiropractic proponents and opponents. Each patient must ultimately decide for themselves if the risks justify the benefits.

Doc