I have been going down the road with spine problems that I know many of you have had to deal with a long time but I have kinda hit a brick road and am looking for advice.

I have a couple of things wrong with my spine but the one that is making it impossible to have any life is the L5/S1 problem. My pain management doc. refered me to a neurosurgeon 3 weeks ago. I have yet to hear back from them. I called once and basically got treated like I was being annoying even though I called when the doctor had told me to. Is it normal to take this long to get an appointment?

I read stories about bad surgeons how do you know your getting a good one? I ask around but one person says their good and the next one says their terrible

Thanks

Karen, you sometimes have a long wait. I personally don't like a neurosurgeon as well as ortho. But that again is just me. I have had two with my back problems and it seems they hesitate more about surgery. My first, was one, and he didn't operate for 8 years, yet kept me on a string with pain. He kept saying he wouldn't give me pain pills, but he did. As I look back now I wouldn't put up with a Dr that acts like that at all.

Yet again I got sent to one, two years ago and I let him put in a stimulator that drove me nuts. He wouldn't do nothing else. That is why I let him. Now its been taken out and I am much better. I also had the surgery he wouldn't do.

So there you go on my opinion. I have had the same orthosurgeon since 98 and I am going to keep him. I got an appointment the 21 st of this month. he has fused L5- S1 twice. My fusion just crumbled in time. (not his fault). I now have bone morphagenic protein put in. This Dr did not give up on me. others did.

How do you know if a Dr. is good? Well I don't know if I can answer that one for you. Mine, if you look his name up on the internet (google it in) he has studied all around the world and specialized in certain area's. For instanct, he won't even talk to you about a knee problem. He is all spinal.

Good luck,
Billie

Thanks Billie,
The pain mangement doc wanted a neurosurgeon because of some issue about the scolosis rotation.
Thanks again for the information.
Karen

Karen~
My Ortho Dr specilazes is scolosis. I just looked it up. The Dr you are trying to get, look on the internet and check him out. You shouldn't have to pay.
Blessings,
Billie

Hi Karen,
I, too, have a herniation at L5-S1. I know the pain you are in. My whole lower back feels like it is broke into. The pain going down the back of my leg, feels like someone keeps kicking me.
I have several herniations but have never had surgery. That's a whole nother story.
I wish you all the best in finding a good doctor, whether it be a NS or OS. I would suggest looking on the internet and see if your doc is listed. There are alot of them listed and it tells alot about them.
Good luck,
Linda