Joined: 29 May 2004 Posts: 36 Location: santa monica
arthritis on hip Extreme Back Pain , Drs No Help, No Income Posted: 07-24-04 17:50pm
hi all . I have posted here before .
This time I really need help. I am in
agony. Ok I have seen an orthopedist and
now a rheumatologist . I had an mri of my
lower spine only. Those results showed
arthritis in my hip and back ( and I am
only 34) it also showed a minor bulging
disk with no nerve problems.
Ok so my orthopedist never mentioned my
arthritic hip ( I found out from another
md about that) and sent me home with back
excersizes that have not helped me and
some even hurt me more. He said from the
mri - I shouldn't be in all this pain.
But I am
so - I was refered to a rheumatologist .
This guy gave up on me the moment he found
out I lost my job ( I lost the job due to
my back problem). Anyway - he wrote me
up for p therapy which is 75 dollatrs a
session with my insurance . He wants me
to go 4 times a week for a month. I have
100 dollars in the bank and no expected
income from any source. I cannot do it
period. I told his office and they had no
offer of help for me. I wasn't even given
a diagnosis -like why I am going to the
therapy.
Anyway - yesterday I woke up and could
hardly move my back and neck were in such
a spasm. I called his office and said it
was an emergency that the dr call me and
let me know what I can do about the pain.
I waited 7 hours and the guy never called
me. I couldn't use the phone nor the
computer. I cannot believe he never
called me back. And it was a friday
night = no call on the weekend either. Oh
and by the way he gave me no meds or
muscle relaxers even though 1/2 my body is
in spasm.
Please help . I in so much pain, I cannot
find a job until I get help. To be
honest I do not think he believed me about
how much pain I am in. I do not know why
- I mean just because an mri of the lower
portion of my back showed nothing hwe
thinks is painfull...They didn't look at
any of the rest of me on an mri. I know
I am in pain. Geeze . I mean the pain is
= bad in my upper back that they didn't
look at . They determined the hip thing
somehow without an mri of my hip itself.
Please can anyone refer me to a different
Dr. In santa monica , ca. Or a pain
specialist. Is a chiropractor safe? I
am beside myself.
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bootsie840
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Nov 2003 Posts: 113 Location: pennsylvainaia
Posted: 07-26-04 17:58pm
Hi alison , I think everyone has there own
opinion on chiropractors, I personally
didnt get to much relief, in fact when I
went for my neck injury I would leave
feeling worse than when I went in, im
sorry to hear your in so much pain, and
not getting the help you need that seems
to be everyones problem doctors look at
you like your stupid or lying and never
give the right treatment options, im so
tired of playing this game and it seems
like you can go to 3-4 different doctors
all specializing in the same practice yet
each gives you a different diagnosis,
figure that out, any way maybe you can
get financial aid through the state, maybe
medical, I would definately see a
different doctor, have you done anything
different since the last time we talked
that would make you feel worse, sounds
like you got quite a bit going on, wish I
could help more, you should try a heating
pad when my back is acting up I use those
therapads, disposable heating wraps they
kind of help. I e mailed you earlier
ill wait to hear from you
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sandyallen
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Feb 2004 Posts: 4580
Arthritis Posted: 07-26-04 19:25pm
I know it is painful and being stressed
does not help! Try your best to keep
moving(i know, easier said than done)!
Because if you do not you will get
stiffer! Bootsie has good ideas,
ibuprofen helps some, their are a lot of
ointments that are over the counter, my
main suggestion is to talk to your
pharmacist, he might suggest something for
you, do you have someone that can give you
a light massage? I know, Dr.'s can
sometimes be the pitts, but their are a
few good one's. If you are union, talk
to your union rep., or go to the labor
board.
Keep in touch!
Sincerely,
sandy
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purple333
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 1420 Location: Sydney
Posted: 07-28-04 04:15am
You may need to borrow some money but you
can hire ces machines (which help pain)
& maybe others like chi machines for
pain from dynamind.Com & I assume from
other manufacturers.
Also try a google search under alternative
treatments for back pain.
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alisonjoan
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 29 May 2004 Posts: 36 Location: santa monica
Morning From Alison Posted: 07-28-04 09:08am
I just want to thank those of you who
replied with advice . I really really
appreciate it very much. I start p
therapy today so wish me luck. Personally
, I really do think like 1/2 of it sounds
hoakey but I will try anything.
Speaking of pt do they use those
electrical stimulator thingies there -
maybe I should wait and see if it even
helps before spending money I do not
have.
What I really need is a female
rheumatologist in santa monica,ca. If
anyone knows of one it would be greatly
appreciated.
Also , can p therapists help a person to
get disability? Either straight up or
theough reports to the dr? How can one
try to get calif state disability when the
drs do not seem to believe there is a
problem ( cause let me tell you there is).
They are trying to blame things on
mental stuff...Fine there probably is some
of that going on seeing as I am in pain -
have been ignored and have a few ather
serious life problems going on. Fine then
- even though this problem came on in the
midddle of the best job I ever had and I
was thrilled to go to work everyday.
(never thought I would say that). The
fact remains...I have horrible pain and
muscle spasms regardless of cause.
Thanks again
oh ps ..Should I be getting any medical or
drug treatmjent that can help the
arthritis ? Can anything help slow it
down - I think I have osteo - of course
the dr never told me ( but it is not
rheumnatoid)
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purple333
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 1420 Location: Sydney
Posted: 07-28-04 11:02am
Try vioxx, also there are several natural
supplements like chondroitin &
glucosamine (750-1500 mgs) of each twice a
day.
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alisonjoan
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 29 May 2004 Posts: 36 Location: santa monica
Hi There Confused And Medicine Question Posted: 07-28-04 17:58pm
What is vioxx? From last post and do I
need a dr to get it?
#2 I went to my p therapy - got the best
massage of my life - felt better for like
10 minutes and I am back where I was
here is the confusing thing - the
therapist looks at my mri and says what
arthritis in your hip and back? I have
had 3 drs tell me I have arthritis based
on my mri. Now who do I believe? She
doesn't think I need a dr at all &
the whole thing is about my feet ( I walk
more on the outside edge of them
apparently) . I am so confused but the
pt is doing more than any dr ever did so I
am sticking with it although she is very
yoga.
Opinions?
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PattyV
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 1103 Location: Chicago area
Posted: 07-28-04 20:16pm
Well,if the pt is helping,why not try it
for a while??She/he can also give you
exercises to do at home.I was amazed at
the difference pilates made for me.My doc
said either pt,yoga or pilates,do
whichever you think you'll stick with.I
really did not want to do pt,i work 12
hour days(maybe has something to do with
my ddd!!??).The exercises were difficult
at first,but if I skip,i notice the
difference.I know it's hard,but you have
to keep moving or you'll "rust".The
therapy won't hurt and if it helps ,why
not?Best to you,patty
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purple333
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 1420 Location: Sydney
Posted: 07-29-04 05:51am
Vioxx is 25mg of rofecoxib, msd. I guess
that like many things it's known by
another name here than there - yes here we
need a script to get it.
Don't worry about who to believe - just
worry about getting better & so if it
works/helps go for it!!
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alisonjoan
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 29 May 2004 Posts: 36 Location: santa monica
I Want to Know Who to Believe Because.... Posted: 07-29-04 09:32am
If there is anything clear in this whole
mess I want to research treatment options
myself.
Vioxx - what does it do?
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purple333
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 1420 Location: Sydney
Posted: 07-29-04 10:07am
I totally agree with you, it is your body
& your life & you should research
it as much as possible & on an
on-going basis!!
Also try a google or yahoo search under
alternative treatments for back pain &
also any other symptoms you have
&medical conditons that cause back
pain as well as treatments for back pain
etc etc.....
I have vioxx for arthritis pain &
although I also take chondriotin &
glucosamine (which help alot) I find that
when I skip a vioxx(1 a day) my body tells
me about it!! I'm 49 & have had
arthritis since age 18ish & over the
years it has developed in an increasing
number of areas for various reasons -
& I get various opinions from drs all
the time!!
Hope that helps.
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sufferer
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Jul 2004 Posts: 5
Posted: 07-30-04 11:31am
For immediate pain relief, your md will be
able to prescribe vioxx, anti inflammatory
medication and anti spasm medication. But
for healing and curing you can forget
about your md and his high tech machines
and any technical words used to describe
your condition.
I have an acute attack of herniated disc 6
weeks back. Rested in hospital a few
days. Now 90 % cured I think. Mri shows
herniated disc l4 l5. Same discs
degenerated. My doctor says once bulged
can never go back and disc once
degenerated cannot be healed and can only
try to arrest degeneration and I can never
be 100% healed. Thats all he says to me.
In short he cant and didnt do anything
useful for me. I think if one is to
wholly depend on doctors, you can just lay
down and die.
I think money and time spend on therapists
, any therapists whether pt, chiro,
massage, chelation, prolotherapists,
moxibustion, acupunture etc gives better
benefits. The only time doctors are any
use are in case of emergencies and where
surgery is required. And that is only 5%
of back pain cases that justifiably needs
surgery.
Essentially, I cured myself through
reading and learning and doing all the
right things. First, disc degeneration by
itself dont cause pain otherwise all the
old people will be in pain. Second,
bulging disc in l4 l5 cannot account for
my residual pain which is on and off now
only at the buttock.
Arthritis and rheumatism is another
matter. But all these are known as
degenerative diseases just like cancer and
diabetes and blockages. If can cut and
throw, doctors will just that. If not,
doctors and their medications and high
tech machines can hardly be relied upon to
heal and cure the problem. Yes there are
mulpitle options for diagnosis but after
that where is the cure?
Only the body can cure itself. What is
required is knowledge, conviction and
practice. Treat any and all degenerative
disease like war. Do every thing possible
to defend the body, change whatever
lifestlye that needs changing, have a
positive attitude, try as many therapies
as you can afford and sounds reasonable.
Research and look for good books. I think
time and money spend on these are many
times better than time and money spend on
feeding the over pampered doctors. That
is the best way to deal with any
degenerative disease. Take matters into
your own hand. It is your body. My
doctor couldn't be bothered.
If you can, change to a natural diet full
of all the good stuff and avoid anything
that makes your body any more acidic.
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sneakycol
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Posts: 43 Location: Arbroath, Scotland
Hope This Helps You Posted: 10-10-04 11:42am
Please visit www.Mattfurey.Com.
The book "combat conditioning" details
a wonderful exercise called bridging.
This exercise has a miraculous effect on
curing back pain. Please I urge you to
invest in this book it will change your
life.!!!