Hello All,
My name is Robert and I live in Pinellas county, Florida. I'm 64 years old. I joined this forum to share my experiences and hopefully get some good advice. I have moderate osteoarthritis in my spine which necessitated a four-level posterior laminectomy in April 2007. I've healed up from that surgery OK.

My current problem is with the lumbar end of my spine, or my hip. My lower left leg and foot stings like a bee sting. Some days (and some hours) are worse than others. I can't find a pattern to this. My spinal surgeon says that my lumbar MRI pictures "actually don't look too bad", so lumbar surgery is not being contemplated at present. We originally thought that the problem was nerve compression at L5. I have the classic sciatica leg symptoms.

But lately I have been experiencing some pain within my left hip joint. My spinal surgeon said that maybe I have some nerve compression going on within my hip joint. But he doesn't work on anything but the spine, so he referred my back to my PCP. Problem is, my PCP doesn't have a clue.

So- I'm shopping for a new PCP who could manage all aspects of my arthritis and nerve compression and make the necessary referrals.

Should I consider a DO instead of an MD? I've never seen a DO before, but I need someone who will take my pain seriously and help me with the big picture.

It seems to me that so many PCPs have the attitude that, if you're basically functional and you're not writhing in the floor with pain, What's the big problem? The problem is that I HURT.

Cheers,
Robert

I switched to a DO and the office also has 2 FNP-C that are good.
They have their own PT and gym and a focus on spine health.
FNP-C - Family Nurse Practitioner - Certified

Have you considered looking in to chiropractic?
Chiropractic care info- a good one can help with many symptoms:
http://www.upcspine.com/self.htm
http://www.uppercervical.org/subpag...b/about_faq.php
http://www.spineuniverse.com/index.html
http://www.coloradochiropractic.org/.../glossary.html

here's some videos showing adjustments and techniques-
http://video.google.com/videosearch?...en&sitesearch=

Hi Robert from Pinellas County. Welcome to neurotalk!

We have different problems but one thing in common - pain. I've had pain for 20 years - nobody's been able to make it go away except me eating exedrine... I've had MS for 20 years.

As for DO's, well, I'm biased. My best friend in college became a DO. He's not that bad.

Where in Pinellas? We got a condo on Sunset Beach (Treasure Island).

Tom

Hello Robert and Welcome to NeuroTalk. I have spine problems and so can relate to your pain. I also have hip pain, but that's another story. I hope you can get some relieft/answers soon. Have you considered an Orthopaedic for the hip pain?

Glad you found us, and please make yourself at home.

Yes, that will be the first request of my new PCP when I find one. I'll ask him/her to refer me to an Orthopaedic guy to check out my hip.

I live in Largo, a little north of Treasure Island. I enjoy it here. I lived here during most of the eighties. Left in '88, lived in lots of places, then returned to Pinellas county in 2002. (I'm originally from Roanoke, VA)

Hello and welcome to Neurotalk, if you need anything just ask - I will try and help you if I can
Thanks
Alison

Hi Robert and

I see Jo has given you several links to help you on your search.

Here is the link to spinal disorders forum:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html


Please feel free to roam around and join in anywhere....

Hope to see you around the boards!!!

Abbie