Vicky,

I want to encourage you to keep fighting for the care that you deserve.
One trick up my sleeve is to get an idea, through research and chatting with others who have been through this, of what tests and possible imaging I might need before I even go to dr. or ER. And I usually carry a complete copy of the hospital and dr office reports and images from my Decompression and Laminectomy. I also make sure I have a close friend or loved one with me who is supportive and can back up my account of my symptoms. I find that a doc is much more likely to probe a little further in trying to diagnose when I have asked for certain tests and they know they should run them, because if they don't and I get worse....they could be liable. I don't like to work the system that way, but I have 3 beautiful daughters and a husband who I adore and I need to stay as healthy as possible. And then of course, if nothing else is working, sometimes I just play the b**** card. What r they gonna do, spit in my food or give me a shot with a super long needle. HA.