Unfortunately I was in agony all weekend. I was back at the chiro yesterday and today. Yesterday he suggested contacting my physiatrist because even though we've loosened up the muscles, the pain has not gotten any better. I was able to speak to Dr. Panagos today and he put be on Prednisone for a few days. You take 6 the first day, then 5, then 4, etc. I drove the pharmacist lady nuts because I kept ringing to see if the script had been called in. Finally it was about 15.30 so I went across the street and picked it up. I took 6 pills around 16.00 and so far nothing. I read online sometimes it can work v. fast, which is what my dr said, but he also said it could take days. I don't have days! I am so worn out from no sleep and all this pain that I just want to scream (I've been doing the almost daily crying meltdowns already).
I asked him about an injection like I had in my hips, and he said something similiar could be done but since it's the spine it would be in at least two joints, as opposed to the one. He said if the Prednisone doesn't work (G-d forbid!!!) then that would be the next step.
Please please please let this work and quickly. I am truly at my wits end!
Showing posts with label herniated disc. Show all posts
Showing posts with label herniated disc. Show all posts
03 June, 2009
20 November, 2008
coincidence?
I was going through some old medical files that I had accumulated from when I was trying to figure out what was wrong with my hip. It was a very interesting list - I wrote down some things that might fit:
?Myofascial pain syndrome (neuromuscular disease; affects fascia; trigger points)
treated with PT, massage therapy, trigger point injection
?RA (inflammation of joint and tissue around joints; auto immune disease
?polyenthosopathy
-pinched nerve in cervical spine? feels like pinching/pressure in neck and shoots down right side of body
-Ehlers Danlos Syndrome -unstable joints; dislocating shoulder
What I find most interesting about this list is that I a)had this pain in my neck and arm longer than I can remember, it just wasn't as constant, and b) I think I am more qualified than most doctors. No doctor had mentioned anything about Myofascial pain until quite recently, and that was only because it was a physio in Holland. I knew I didn't have RA as I've never tested positive for it, but I guess I wanted to cover all bases. I was diagnosed w/ EDS after this, by a genetic doctor. And now I have been diagnosed with herniated, bulging discs and stenosis. I really should be a doctor.
Yes, I'm going to rant. And then rant some more. My major problem with the medical system in this country, well, one of them, is that all doctors are trained in parts. There is no doctor that I have found - if you know of one please tell me - that treats a body as a WHOLE. You have to go to a million different types of doctors that specialise in very specific things, and whilst that is good on one level, it is bad when they forget that that part of the body they focus on is actually CONNECTED to the rest of your body!
Where is this all going you ask? Well I had my appointment on Monday with the neurologist, Dr. Fatimi. Please don't go to her, she is dafter than a plank of wood. Perhaps she is just too young and clueless but she really doesn't have any idea what she's doing. My mother came with me to this appointment as I was to have the EMG test. Once we finally got into her office, she said - I thought you were going to have the EMG already? I couldn't believe it. I explained to her how I had had a whole long conversation with her assistants and we rescheduled the visit and the test to that day, from the 3rd. She said yes, I saw you were scheduled and you didn't come. I had to explain that I received a call from her office whilst I was away, and as I didn't return until midnight on the 2nd, I could not ring her office until the morning of the 3rd, and then tell the office that the appointment had been cancelled and rescheduled, which they said oh yeah, we have you for the 17th, for some reason it was still on the 3rd as well. This has to be one of the most disorganised offices ever. It drives me barmy. She didn't apologise or anything. Finally she arranged for the test to be done then, after she kept us waiting in the test room for ever. She didn't really explain what was going to happen, thankfully I had done my research, and did the electrode part first. They write on you for the measurements and then stick electrodes on you and zap you with electricity. This is not fun. I was trying to stay calm. It was extremely painful. Then it got worse, she did the needles. It was like medieval torture but with electricity. At one point she stuck a needle in my hand, in a v. sensitive post-surgery area of my hand that is extremely sensitive, and I lost it. She didn't warn me when she was going to do it or where, and just randomly kept stabbing and zapping. I hope whomever is reading this never has to have this test, but I won't lie. It was horrific.
After she was done, she said - wow you're so sensitive. Gee, a normal person would be in pain, but factor in the fact that I have fibromyalgia and my brain processes pain differently, then of course I was sensitive! That's what I mean about her - completely daft.
We then reviewed my MRI where she didn't even mention half of what the report said, until I brought it up. She then said she thought PT would work and gave me a prescription for that. I had brought along copies of some articles I had read about myofascial pain and dry needling, and gave them to her and explained that I believe (as my chiro does) that I have myofascial trigger points and that they need to be worked out before any PT can be done, because you can't strengthen a muscle that has a trigger point in it. I swear this went in one ear and out the other, then she seemed bothered that I was talking, wrote down the name a physiatrist, and said that I would need to talk to that person about treatment as she doesn't know anything else. What kind of doctor is that? Definitely not the kind that is concerned about a patient. I understand that with the way insurance is set up it is not to benefit the dr or the patient and they all have their numbers to do so they can make money, but if you don't want to treat patients then you shouldn't be a doctor. Period, case closed, regardless of the money. I have been to too many doctors to put up with this kind of crap. I am so fortunate that my primary, Dr. Rosen, takes the time out to talk to me, answer my calls, look into things when I need her to if it's something I can't do myself. And yes, I'm spoiled, but that is what a doctor should be like.
Ok, well, enough about that, sorry, I am just so frustrated.
After the lovely EMG I was in a lot of pain, stabbing, stinging pain. We had some wine and I thought I would be fine by the morning. But I was wrong. I woke up and could barely move my hand and everything was hyper-reactive in my body. The test inflamed everything and set me off down another spiral of bad pain all over my right side. I couldn't even go to work. Yesterday I was still pretty bad, and then I went to the chiro at lunch. He couldn't believe how tight my neck/shoulder area was and said there was a lot of Myofascial stuff going on. So I'm going to see him again tomorrow.
I did make an appointment with a physiatrist, Andre Panagos, at NY Pres who does dry needling, but it's not until the 29th. I heard back from Norman Marcus' office and will see about possibly going there. He doesn't take insurance and the first visit is $465, which I guess is better than $1200. I still can't get over that one!
So, onwards and upwards. My head is spinning from all of this and throbbing as well.
?Myofascial pain syndrome (neuromuscular disease; affects fascia; trigger points)
treated with PT, massage therapy, trigger point injection
?RA (inflammation of joint and tissue around joints; auto immune disease
?polyenthosopathy
-pinched nerve in cervical spine? feels like pinching/pressure in neck and shoots down right side of body
-Ehlers Danlos Syndrome -unstable joints; dislocating shoulder
What I find most interesting about this list is that I a)had this pain in my neck and arm longer than I can remember, it just wasn't as constant, and b) I think I am more qualified than most doctors. No doctor had mentioned anything about Myofascial pain until quite recently, and that was only because it was a physio in Holland. I knew I didn't have RA as I've never tested positive for it, but I guess I wanted to cover all bases. I was diagnosed w/ EDS after this, by a genetic doctor. And now I have been diagnosed with herniated, bulging discs and stenosis. I really should be a doctor.
Yes, I'm going to rant. And then rant some more. My major problem with the medical system in this country, well, one of them, is that all doctors are trained in parts. There is no doctor that I have found - if you know of one please tell me - that treats a body as a WHOLE. You have to go to a million different types of doctors that specialise in very specific things, and whilst that is good on one level, it is bad when they forget that that part of the body they focus on is actually CONNECTED to the rest of your body!
Where is this all going you ask? Well I had my appointment on Monday with the neurologist, Dr. Fatimi. Please don't go to her, she is dafter than a plank of wood. Perhaps she is just too young and clueless but she really doesn't have any idea what she's doing. My mother came with me to this appointment as I was to have the EMG test. Once we finally got into her office, she said - I thought you were going to have the EMG already? I couldn't believe it. I explained to her how I had had a whole long conversation with her assistants and we rescheduled the visit and the test to that day, from the 3rd. She said yes, I saw you were scheduled and you didn't come. I had to explain that I received a call from her office whilst I was away, and as I didn't return until midnight on the 2nd, I could not ring her office until the morning of the 3rd, and then tell the office that the appointment had been cancelled and rescheduled, which they said oh yeah, we have you for the 17th, for some reason it was still on the 3rd as well. This has to be one of the most disorganised offices ever. It drives me barmy. She didn't apologise or anything. Finally she arranged for the test to be done then, after she kept us waiting in the test room for ever. She didn't really explain what was going to happen, thankfully I had done my research, and did the electrode part first. They write on you for the measurements and then stick electrodes on you and zap you with electricity. This is not fun. I was trying to stay calm. It was extremely painful. Then it got worse, she did the needles. It was like medieval torture but with electricity. At one point she stuck a needle in my hand, in a v. sensitive post-surgery area of my hand that is extremely sensitive, and I lost it. She didn't warn me when she was going to do it or where, and just randomly kept stabbing and zapping. I hope whomever is reading this never has to have this test, but I won't lie. It was horrific.
After she was done, she said - wow you're so sensitive. Gee, a normal person would be in pain, but factor in the fact that I have fibromyalgia and my brain processes pain differently, then of course I was sensitive! That's what I mean about her - completely daft.
We then reviewed my MRI where she didn't even mention half of what the report said, until I brought it up. She then said she thought PT would work and gave me a prescription for that. I had brought along copies of some articles I had read about myofascial pain and dry needling, and gave them to her and explained that I believe (as my chiro does) that I have myofascial trigger points and that they need to be worked out before any PT can be done, because you can't strengthen a muscle that has a trigger point in it. I swear this went in one ear and out the other, then she seemed bothered that I was talking, wrote down the name a physiatrist, and said that I would need to talk to that person about treatment as she doesn't know anything else. What kind of doctor is that? Definitely not the kind that is concerned about a patient. I understand that with the way insurance is set up it is not to benefit the dr or the patient and they all have their numbers to do so they can make money, but if you don't want to treat patients then you shouldn't be a doctor. Period, case closed, regardless of the money. I have been to too many doctors to put up with this kind of crap. I am so fortunate that my primary, Dr. Rosen, takes the time out to talk to me, answer my calls, look into things when I need her to if it's something I can't do myself. And yes, I'm spoiled, but that is what a doctor should be like.
Ok, well, enough about that, sorry, I am just so frustrated.
After the lovely EMG I was in a lot of pain, stabbing, stinging pain. We had some wine and I thought I would be fine by the morning. But I was wrong. I woke up and could barely move my hand and everything was hyper-reactive in my body. The test inflamed everything and set me off down another spiral of bad pain all over my right side. I couldn't even go to work. Yesterday I was still pretty bad, and then I went to the chiro at lunch. He couldn't believe how tight my neck/shoulder area was and said there was a lot of Myofascial stuff going on. So I'm going to see him again tomorrow.
I did make an appointment with a physiatrist, Andre Panagos, at NY Pres who does dry needling, but it's not until the 29th. I heard back from Norman Marcus' office and will see about possibly going there. He doesn't take insurance and the first visit is $465, which I guess is better than $1200. I still can't get over that one!
So, onwards and upwards. My head is spinning from all of this and throbbing as well.
13 November, 2008
Calling for help
I've been busy researching dry needling in NYC and writing letters to any organisation that might have a clue as to what direction to point me, since none of my doctors are familiar with it. I just sent this email to the International Myopain Society:
"Hi. I was recently in Holland visiting a friend and she took me to her physio as I was in a lot of pain. Recently I had an MRI that showed disc bulging, herniated discs and stenosis in my cervical spine. I was sent to a neurologist who sent me for the MRI because I had constant pins and needles shooting down my right arm.
I also have EDS - hypermobility, fibromyalgia, TMJ, mild scoliosis and more things I probably can't remember at this moment. I have also had 4 reconstructive hand surgeries, and hip surgery to deal with a torn labrum, psoas release and FAI.
Anyway, I went to see this brilliant physio, Remco, in Den Haag and he did some traction on my neck, adjusted C2 for the TMJ and also adjusted my lower back and did dry needling in my trapezius muscle. It was the first time since the constant pins and needles started that I had relief. I didn't have them for 4 days, and it is still much less than it was.
The thing is, I really need to find someone who can work on me here. I have a chiro, but he's not allowed to do much else other than electric stim and massage and stretching. That helps, but only mildly. I was hoping that you would be able to recommend someone in Manhattan that works with my kind of mess of a body and does dry needling.
If you would I'd so appreciate it.
Thank you very much for your time."
Yes I am desperate! I am hoping someone will respond from one of my cries for help and tell me they know someone in the area. I did find this Dutch-trained physio who would be perfect, but of course he A) is in Bethesda, MD and B) doesn't take insurance. Part of me wants to go down to see him anyway, and he lives close to my aunt and uncle, so...I may just have to. I think I will send him an email as well. His name is Jan Dommerholt and he sounds brilliant.
I go for the EMG test on Monday, my mother is coming with me. Yes, I'm a baby, but I don't fancy someone sticking needles into me and then electrocuting me. We shall see what the darling neurologist has to say about my reports then as well. I have no faith in her at this point, but will bring my research and show her, after she says her opinion.
At present, the neck and back hurt, plus the usual "it's high humidity and low pressure" fibro crap, so going to go to the PT pool after work and hopefully it will be quiet and empty and I can just relax in there for a while.
"Hi. I was recently in Holland visiting a friend and she took me to her physio as I was in a lot of pain. Recently I had an MRI that showed disc bulging, herniated discs and stenosis in my cervical spine. I was sent to a neurologist who sent me for the MRI because I had constant pins and needles shooting down my right arm.
I also have EDS - hypermobility, fibromyalgia, TMJ, mild scoliosis and more things I probably can't remember at this moment. I have also had 4 reconstructive hand surgeries, and hip surgery to deal with a torn labrum, psoas release and FAI.
Anyway, I went to see this brilliant physio, Remco, in Den Haag and he did some traction on my neck, adjusted C2 for the TMJ and also adjusted my lower back and did dry needling in my trapezius muscle. It was the first time since the constant pins and needles started that I had relief. I didn't have them for 4 days, and it is still much less than it was.
The thing is, I really need to find someone who can work on me here. I have a chiro, but he's not allowed to do much else other than electric stim and massage and stretching. That helps, but only mildly. I was hoping that you would be able to recommend someone in Manhattan that works with my kind of mess of a body and does dry needling.
If you would I'd so appreciate it.
Thank you very much for your time."
Yes I am desperate! I am hoping someone will respond from one of my cries for help and tell me they know someone in the area. I did find this Dutch-trained physio who would be perfect, but of course he A) is in Bethesda, MD and B) doesn't take insurance. Part of me wants to go down to see him anyway, and he lives close to my aunt and uncle, so...I may just have to. I think I will send him an email as well. His name is Jan Dommerholt and he sounds brilliant.
I go for the EMG test on Monday, my mother is coming with me. Yes, I'm a baby, but I don't fancy someone sticking needles into me and then electrocuting me. We shall see what the darling neurologist has to say about my reports then as well. I have no faith in her at this point, but will bring my research and show her, after she says her opinion.
At present, the neck and back hurt, plus the usual "it's high humidity and low pressure" fibro crap, so going to go to the PT pool after work and hopefully it will be quiet and empty and I can just relax in there for a while.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)