[nemo]

Hello, I'm new to the forum. Please excuse the length of this post (and I edited it). Anyhow, I was diagnosed with a L4-L5 herniated disc after a work-related injury last year. Due to the settlement agreement (kept my medical open), all my future medical treatment has to be with the authorized doctor, in my case the neuro-surgeon the I.C. initially assigned to me. I have seen him several times since the settlement due to my condition not improving and everytime it's the same routine, 3 options: 1) surgery 2) nerve blocks 3) Live with it/find less physical work. Then he says continue with the anti-inflammatories (which I'm not even prescribed) and out the door.

Well, just a little background on this, after the injury, he recommended surgery, which I politely declined (i'm in my mid 30's). He took me off work for approx. 3.5 months and returned me to full duty (unloading heavy freight daily). I resigned from the job due my physical inability to continue that line of work ,as he suggested numerous times previous to returning me to full duty. After my settlement, in which he gave me a rating of 0 (ZERO), I had maxed out my nerve blocks (3 annually) and had another MRI. When his nurse called me about the results, she said my condition had "worsened" and she set up an appointment with him. When he came in, he said, "it looks like you have improved" which absolutely confused me. He said (after a year and half) that my disc had decreased in size. So, pain continued and I wasn't getting anywhere. The only "treatment" I received during this time was about 30 hydrocodone pills every two weeks or I never deviated from the instructions.

Well, I finally got to the point I wanted and needed surgery. I met with him and he agreed but wanted a myelogram first. He briefly explained the unpleasant sounding procedure and it's use to locate pain points. He set it up and I told him I was getting a second opinion, which i did. The other neuro-surgeon said a myelogram was unnecessary with two MRIs and that aside from the disc herniation, I had severe spinal stenosis, which is causing more pain. So, I cancelled the myeloG. and yesterday an irritated nurse calls me and asked why I cancelled the procedure. I told her about the second opinion and what he said. She proceeded to tell me their reasons for the test was because their were "changes" in my condition. I wasn't told about any changes before, nor was I told about the stenosis. She ended the call remarking that I would not be prescribed any "narcotics" until I carry on with the myelogram. So, anybody know whats going on here. Does this sound odd? Anybody?

[Twinkletoes]

So sorry for your back pain. Yes, it does sound odd, but I am certainly no expert, as I don't even know what a myelogram is.

But I wanted to say Welcome! I'm so glad they finally found you, Nemo!

I hope you get some helpful input on your situation.

[Jane]

I wouldn't have surgery WITHOUT a myelogram as it shows things that the MRI won't. Most ins. companies will not precert the surgery without one. I have had eight of the buggers prior to surgeries. They aren't a picnic but nothing to get alarmed over. I wouldn't want a surgeon to go in until he had all of the information he could possibly get. Best wishes.

[citygirldoll]

I'm so sorry about all the run around it sounds like you're getting from your doctor. I definitely would seek a third opinion. Perhaps, someone at a teaching /research institute.
I have had 2 myelograms. They are not a picnic. They do however show exactly which discs are causing the problem. The one or ones causing the problem will show fluid leaking out and should correspond then to your pain. They'll have to keep you awake enough to ask you questions but as soon as you have answered the questions they'll make sure you're comfortable.
I hope you have flexibility to find a surgeon you feel very confident in. After my first myelogram I had to wait some time but I finally had an artificial disc replacement. I did a lot of research online, visited chat rooms like this to discuss my options with patients that had one done, and I visited five different doctors until I found the one I thought was the best fit for me. Five years later he is still my primary spinal doctor.
If you have any questions that I can try to help with just email me. Best wishes, Kim

[pabb]

She ended the call remarking that I would not be prescribed any "narcotics" until I carry on with the myelogram. So, anybody know whats going on here. Does this sound odd? Anybody?
this is unethical....if you can i would petition for a new doc....and if you cant perhaps your attorney could have a little chat with the office about withholding rx......argh...are you sure that the woman is a nurse? or could she be an MA, or simply an office asst?....a nurse should know better