Comments | editrx: Spine update: What the first surgeon said

editrx

Spine update: What the first surgeon said

Apr 21, 2010 03:53

Went to Concord Orthopaedics today & spoke to a surgeon there about the MRI they did earlier this month. Guy clearly didn't know I hadn't been told the outcome of the MRI, the results, nothing. He was pretty, well, a hot-dog. But one likes that in some surgeons, so I didn't pay much nevermind to that at the time ( Read more... )

spine, i need a new back but it's on back order, health

Comments 22

amberfocus April 21 2010, 08:08:35 UTC

Yes, good for you on getting the second opinion. Sounds to me like that doctor had grabby money hands using scare tactics like that and wasn't going to be able to actually fix you the way you need to be fixed. You do not want to be opened up again a year later because doctor #1 did not do everything that needed doing at the time. Believe me. Doctor #2 was not very forgiving of doctor #1 and neither was I when he had to go back in a year later and do stuff that should have been done with the prior surgery, mostly because I nearly died but a little bit because he thought doctor #1 was an idiot for not doing the job right in the first place. Plus, it's the spine. You don't want anyone fooling with that who isn't as qualified as they should be. Good luck getting your referral and appointment and don't let anyone talk you out of exercising your medical rights.

editrx April 21 2010, 08:20:31 UTC

Yeah, I broke my back in 1988, and it's been wonky ever since -- and I swear, ninety percent of the time, these guys just don't bother to do a half-arsed job of it. I don't know why they think they can get away with it -- oh wait, it's because often they do. People don't say anything if they screw up, or if they get delayed treatment. Sigh.

I'm not letting anyone touch my spine but the best. If I have to go to another country, I'm doing that, dammit. I will not fool around with this. They put it off for so many YEARS now it's such a complete wreak that it's literally falling into pieces.

garpu April 21 2010, 08:08:42 UTC

I don't think you're wrong at all. One of the priests at my parish was in a car accident and needed back surgery (not sure the type), and he was in a bad way for a long time after.

Edit because I'm tired: so it's not like it's a minor thing. You've every right to be concerned. Is this the same guy who blew you off for the longest time about it?

editrx April 21 2010, 08:18:02 UTC

It's the same guys who put me off for the last six+ months, insisting I do yet more epidural injections (even though I'd had them done for the last 15+ years!) and they clearly weren't doing any good. Then when I did go up to see them, they wasted yet another visit with me seeing a PA who's just graduated school (I mean, like JUST) and all he could do was order yet another MRI.

(The MRI reading was funny, actually -- saw it today, of course. And the guy doing the reading is the one who did it 6 months ago, same place, and it was very tongue in cheek, saying, "Um, I TOLD YOU ALL THIS STUFF 6 MONTHS AGO, GUYS, ARE YOU LISTENING TO EITHER ME OR THE PATIENT?" I'd laugh about it more, but that says so much, doesn't it?)

shinyopals April 21 2010, 09:37:32 UTC

BAH. I hate it when doctors lie about stuff. I mean, I guess everyone has a professional opinion, but being misleading about the facts is something entirely different.

editrx April 21 2010, 09:45:34 UTC

It really burned my ass because I deliberately asked him about the x-stop based on information from a doctor friend gave me to read about a while ago. And given my age and relative (usual good) health, I'm the perfect candidate. To do the old procedure? Not only wasteful to the tune of maybe $15K more in medical costs (OMG) but also not something that you EVER DO TO PEOPLE MY AGE. Not if you live in, say, a DEVELOPED COUNTRY.

(Oh, and when did the x-stop become available in the US? 2005, boys and girls. 2005. IT'S BEEN AVAILABLE FOR OVER 10 YEARS. Sigh.)

::pinches bridge of nose::

Well, at least now I have a goal for this week, which is to get up to Dartmouth and also to give Dr. Hotdog his due. Annnnd if I have the x-stop done? I won't have a 12-week recovery (like Dr. Hotdog was saying) but more like a 4-6 week recovery.

So I'd be on my feet and roaming around freely in July! wooo!!!

shinyopals April 21 2010, 09:48:21 UTC

XD Well that's good - someone needs to stop me chasing bears.

Best of luck with it all, though.

editrx April 21 2010, 10:06:29 UTC

Thank you -- I suspect I'll write more about it as I learn more, and of course I'll have to take photos up there in the mountains of the scenery, erm, doctors. Or something.

OH! Speaking of which, I can't believe I forgot to tell you about this. Clark's Trading Post, which is a rather tacky but fun place up in the White Mountains here in NH has a ... TRAINED BEAR SHOW.

Really. We are so going. Y/Y?

( ... )

jaradel April 21 2010, 10:42:39 UTC

My dad's had a laminectomy on his lower back and his neck on two separate occasions, so after watching his recoveries, I wish you all the best. And no WAY would I let the Concord guy within ten feet of my spine. What an ass. Plus - not a neurosurgeon?

Good for you for exercising your right to obtain a second opinion. I hope Dartmouth can do the surgery that you need. *hugs*

spikewriter April 21 2010, 13:17:37 UTC

Good for you for getting a second opinion. It is absolutely your right and it's a damn good idea when it's something as critical as a spine. Hey, even if it wasn't, if you feel railroaded, then that's a good reason to get a second opinion, too.

No, I wouldn't let this guy anywhere near my back.