My Aching Back
 

Hello,

I am hoping someone can give me some advice on my back / leg pain.

A few years ago, I suffered some sort of infection that weakened my immune system. I picked up "whatever it was" up in the mountains of Puerto Rico - I have suffered several repeated infections and was told that my immune system had weakened. I even came down with a staph infection from swimming in the warm ocean waters in Florida during the summer months.....and was hospitalized for a week. For the past year, I have had no trouble with the infections, but my back/right leg/foot pain is terrible. I read somewhere that back pain could come from having autoimmune problems - has anyone heard of this? Anyway, I had a recent MRI from a chiropractor that wants to put me on the DRX9000 machine -

my MRI results were:

1. L5-S1 small central disc protrusion/herniation confined to the epidural fat, which does not impinge upon the neural structures nor result in significant central canal or foraminal stenosis.

2. L4-L5 minimal disc bulge

3. T3-T4 tiny right paracentral disc protrusion/herniation, without cord impingement, central canal or neural foraminal stenosis.

4. T5-T6 and T8-T9 minimal disc bulges

I cannot sit for very long at all without my right buttocks and right leg hurting pretty bad - burning and constant ache down my right leg. If I walk even just a little bit outside of the house - my right leg kills me and I start to limp - my low back is sore and also between my shoulder blades always has big knots in them.........I take BC powder for the pain - which does not help much - and that upsets my stomach - also Excedrin Back and Body...............I have an appt Monday with a general doctor to give me a referral to see a neurosurgeon - if he thinks that is what I should do - I am scared that the DXR 9000 machine is a scam - the chrio told me it would cost about 5K.........and you have to have a referral to see the Neurosurgeon......nothing seems to help, except doing nothing and I can't live this way........I'm grumpy and in pain all of the time.......so far, no one has told me I needed surgery...............and I don't really want surgery, I just want to stop hurting so much and be able to do the things that I used to do again - I'm only 40.

I would certainly get another opinion. It seems that I have read that those machines were a rip off. Did the doc "interview" you to see if you were a candidate and then say that you were? I think everybody finds that they are a candidate.

My chiro charges 60 bucks a visit of which I pay a 20 copay. I think he offers a cash discount for those without insurance because after my insurance cuts his fee he ends up with $34. Now think of how many visits you could get out of that 5000 bucks he wants.

I get gentle traction on my lower back when it gets too bad. I have been able to do that for over 2 years now. I only go maybe every 4-6 months for a few visits and I am good to go.

Remember that the MRI films are yours as you paid for them. Take them somewhere else and have another doc look at them.

Oh and welcome to the forum...Sue

Sue
 

The MRI films are mine, but where we live you have to take them back or they will charge you for them. I can check them out like a libary card, but need to return them. They don't make copies. I did keep one picture the last time and they haven't noticed, I guess. My surgeon like to never sent them back, keep them 2 yrs, the last time, I was lucky and not charged. that is unusual.
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Fancylady:)

Dream,

Some members here talked about that machine. Read this before you do anything.

Hope it helps.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...RX9000+machine

Good luck

Hi Billie, yeah I always have to sign that paper saying I will return them but I never do. I like to have my films because after so long they destroy them, plus it is always such a hassle to get them back when you need to compare the films.

You would think they would want the patient to keep them because they take up so much storage room. ...Sue

machine
 

Snoozie you pop up everywhere . Dream that machine is not the answer . And those MRIs are yours . Dont let that hospital or clinic tell you different. :hug:

I am stalking you Roz :eek: :D ...Sue

That drx9$$$ has to be a rip off. The chiro I consulted last week called me back with the question WHEN I wanted to start the treatment, not IF I wanted to start...
And he liked to charge me more than the $5000 mentioned in this thread.
Question yourself here: if that machine truly works, why do only ( on commercial base) chiropractors have them? And why isn't it covered by insurance companies?

My OSS didn't mention DMX9000 by name but mentioned that "chiropractors can try some therapies.... but I've never seen an MRI where the disc was sucked back in to its proper position!"

My neuro surgeon had no respect for Chiropractors. I went to one between surgeries and didn't tell the Neuro and he said I was worse after seeing one. I even had to have a surgery after that. I just don't believe the DRX9000 could be the answer or insurance would pay.
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Fancylady:)