I WAS TREATED THE SAME WAY!!! My "doctor" waited 3 weeks for me to get a referral to get an MRI, but not a worry because I had it done and paid cash for it!! After I made the appointment to see the nuerosurgeon myself and pay cash as well and THEN this "doctor" gave me a referral to see a Pain Management doctor. I went and he was just ANOTHER NEUROSURGEON!! She wanted a second opinion!! She LIED to me!! I reported her to the AMA.

Hello Shania,

Here is where I come from regarding GPs - Fine for a physical, if you have the flu or a cold, but that is about it.

I always chuckle when the form I fill out at a specialist asks "Recommending physician". The other day I put in "my wife". The form i filled out out at the neurologist's office I wrote down "the lady who cuts my hair". NO WAY am I going to give my GP credit when he doesn't even know the specialists I am seeing.

Okay, enough.

SOOOOoooo, when you need a physical or some cough medicine go to your GP, otherwise forget him/her and go to a specialist. That's what I do.

RichT

In my book called the back doctor by a Canadian Othopedic Surgeon he doesn't rate GP's he says if you want to freak out a GP tell them you have back pain!

If anybody wants a good straightward book it is by Dr Hamilton Hall by seal books www.randomhouse .ca It helped me much more than my GP put it that way.

Shania
X

Hello Shania,

Thanks much for the reference to the book. I hope our library has a copy, if not its off to a bookstore.

Me thinks we are on the same wavelength regarding GPs.

RichT

Hello Shania,

Thanks much for the reference to the book. I hope our library has a copy, if not its off to a bookstore.

Me thinks we are on the same wavelength regarding GPs.

RichT

I like that Rich! My GP wasnt even good for a cough or cold, that is why I dont have one anymore! I am going to start listing my dog as the referring source!!

If we need painkillers in this country then we have to go to a GP. They cost a fortune over the net and I don't think I would get them on the net. That's all GP's are good for. I just get my Prescription then I am out the door! They just disbelieve us and think we are hooked on medication!

Hello Ashoverman and Shania,

Ashoverman, you REALLY broke me up about listing your dog as the "Referring Physician". I can barely type, I'm still laughing.

Shania, regarding pain meds, or medications in general. I just got back from seeing my GP regarding the diagnoses of my ole aorta. I apparently have a small aneurysm that just needs watching. Anyhow, I was in the waiting room for no more than 10 minutes. During that time two drug reps walked in and out. All they wanted was my docs signature on their card so they had proof they had been to his office. My doc said that on average about 10 drug reps stop by EACH Day!!! D@MN Think what that does to the cost of medicines. I'm still MAD!!!!

Back to my GP - A nice guy, and he doesn't try to pretend he knows everything. He REALLY believes in preventive medicine. He wants me to see the cardiologist who was the first to perform a heart transplant in our area years ago. Yep, my GP is good for physicals, colds and the flu. LOL And a bit more.

Oikay moderators, I know I'm a bit off topic, however, I hope you will be understanding.

RichT

I believe that many of us back painers have had similiar experiences with GPs. Unless you see a specialist, most doctors have no idea of the level of pain you have.

Pain medication is a dangerous way to go as I found out years ago. Taking the powerful drugs can get you dependent on them and that becomes a worse problem than the back pain. And it takes more and bigger doses to handle the pain and that makes it very difficult to get off them.

The doctors I see now all know the debiliitating pain that, in my case, comes with degenerative disk disease. It's always a chore finding doctors who know what you are going through and can emphathize.

Hello Lonestarguy,

I've read your post several times. You have shared very real, thought provoking concerning thoughts with us. Thank you.

"most doctors have no idea of the level of pain you have" - Unless they have been there. To me that is what makes our spiney bond on this forum so strong and very special. We can relate to the pain that each person shares on this forum.

"Pain medication is a dangerous way to go as I found out years ago. Taking the powerful drugs can get you dependent on them and that becomes a worse problem than the back pain. And it takes more and bigger doses to handle the pain and that makes it very difficult to get off them." SOOOoooo very true as i can relate in a small way to the experience I had with hydrocodone. AND it REALLY HURTS when I know that for some, the pain meds are their only last option.

"doctors who know what you are going through and can emphathize." YES, not only know what you are going through, but also who "can emphthize".

Again, thanks for sharing.

RichT

I just got out of surgery on Monday. I was given Lortab for my pain, the SAME THING They gave me BEFORE SURGERY! I have called the doctors office and asked for something stronger. I was told that I would have to come get it MYSELF. Ok, even though you told me NOT TO DRIVE FOR 3 WEEKS. But I drove there anyway and got the script for some patches, went to get them filled only to find out that they are NOT COVERED BY MEDICAID! And my doctor IS A MEDICAID DOCTOR!! So, I called back the next day and said that I couldnt afford $186 out of pocket, could he please write me something else that is covered by Medicaid. I got SO MUCH ATTITUDE!!! My aunt even called for me, because she saw the pain I am in and they just said NO! I am up at this hour now because of the pain and I cant sleep! It seems as if NOBODY BELIEVES ME. I mean I have a 9 inch incision and 21 staples in my back! I AM NOT LYING!!! WHY WILL THEY NOT BELIEVE ME THAT LORTAB DO NOT WORK?!?!?!!?

I KNOW it is illegal and unethical, but my mother, seeing the writhing pain that I am in, got an Oxycontin 80mg from a friend at work. I had to pay $60 for it. I took HALF. I FELT RELIEF!! So I KNOW there is something that can ease my pain! I just cant do that again. I dont like illegaly buying drugs, but I WAS HURTING!!!

I don't live in your country but from what you have said I find it pretty disgusting. What a way to treat you. I don't blame you for getting the pain relief from a friend. I have done the same thing myself but didn't pay for it. When you are in pain you need to ease it. I hope you feel a bit bettter now.

Well, I was only able to get and afford 1 tablet. So, TEMPORARILY, I DID HAVE RELIEF. I might have to go to the ER, because of fever and pain. However, the way that I have been treated at the ER, I am very apprehensive to even waste my time! It ismreally sad that these people, the medical community, are trained and paid to treat us, yet they treat us like animals!! I am REALLY DISENCHANTED!!!

I know,

I think we are all up against this where ever we live. If you feel that ill I would still go though. Not all the medical community are like that. I have found the physio's I had quite compasionate but as for GP's and above - forget it they are too interested in quoting from text books and red tape. Let us know how you get on.

I had 3 previous back surgeries from a different hospital. I moved and went to an orthopedic specialist for pain in my neck and numb arms and fingers. The doctor called me back and during the "exam" which he didn't want to do, he was talking about his knee and how he felt he hurt it playing squash. He did a couple obligatory "Dr." things, hold your arm out, squeeze my hand, maybe 5 minutes he spent and told me he didn't think anything was wrong. I was frustrated with him and I said what about my symptoms, It's hard to hold a pen, I'm losing feeling in my arms and hands.
His response was there was nothing wrong with me and he knew this because the people who were "actually" in "real need" of an orthopedic surgeon were those he had to help walk back to the exam room and since I walked back with no problem then nothing was wrong with me.
I told him he was wrong and insisted on an MRI which he did make an appointment for me but made it for 2 months away. A follow up dr appointment was made for a week after the MRI and that time I was seen by a different Dr. who told me he looked at the MRI and he'd be right back, he came back with another Dr. who put up the films, told me I had spinal cord damage and needed surgery before I became paralyzed.
Always trust your gut, if I had listened to the first Dr. I wouldn't be able to type this to you, my arms would be paralyzed. It's your health, you deserve the best medical attention and it's a shame there are Dr.s out there who would act as if patients are a bother and don't deserve their time and attention.

It's disgusting isn't it. I've learnt about backpain myself as I don't like being fobbed off and I know loss of feeling is a red flag symptom. This guy should be reported as they can't ignore symptoms like that. I don't know what country that you are from but in the UK that is grounds to sue. I am glad that you didn't get long term damage it's scary to think that other people are more passive and possibly have suffered due to people like that.

Hello Matlore,

"maybe 5 minutes he spent and told me he didn't think anything was wrong." Matalore, in my opinion drop that doctor immediately. He is not going to try and help you.

PLEASE, seek out the very best neurologist/spinal surgeon that you can find in your area. Make an appointment and see that "best" doctor as soon as you can. You need a SPINE specilist (with MD at the end of his/her name) not a "general" orthopedic doctor.

Oh yes, and do seek out the opinion of a second and even a third spine specialist. Second and third opinions are always a good idea in my opinion.

I wish you the best. Do let us know how things go for you.

RichT