View Full Version : Anyone have a recommended Dr/Hospital for back issues?
Think I had a post griping about my back and/or leg I hurt. Been getting worse and going to go ahead and have it looked at. Talking to others elsewhere pretty much assuming a burst/slipped disk.
Usually I avoid Dr's and self care. So now I'm scared to even try and figure out who to choose to look at me. (Don't want a long run around or of course the dreaded messed me up even more)
newracer
11-28-2016, 10:43
The surgeon I recently saw and ended up having surgery with was very good but I think it might be a little far for you.
Pretty much in the state/cheyenne would be fine. I already drive 100 miles for work.
newracer
11-28-2016, 10:52
This is who I saw. https://www.orthohealth.com/staff/bill-biggs-md/
He was very conservative and wanted me to try all the other options before resorting to surgery.
The first surgeon I saw wanted to just go ahead with a major surgery right away. I ended up with a much less evasive surgery and am 99% pain and symptom free now.
Colorado Comprehensive Spine Institute in Englewood. Dr. Frey if you can, but he's #1, you'll likely have to be eval'd first by others.
Looking like choices might not matter. Called one that was highly reviewed mixed with a recommendation I got. ... Booked till jan 16....
Kicking myself for not trying to get it seen a month or two ago before it started getting worse.
fportmen45
11-28-2016, 17:08
Any chance of getting in sooner for a cortisone shot to hold you over a bit?
Don't know anything about it. Just a general practice likely to have that? Was slow going since the aetna site loads crazy slow. Found someone else that hopefully is good and close. I can get in on the 8th to do initial checkin with the PA and get imaging done, then a few weeks later the actual surgery doc if they think i need that.
Getting worse just thru the course of today has me wishing for some spare percs or oxy.
At the least the silver lining is maybe looking at my benefits, to my untrained eye it does seem pretty good? At least compared to the garbage at my old job.
Plan coinsurance 90%
1k Deduct, 3k max out of pocket (this is the one I was scared since Ive seen others with big bills that ignore this?)
Inpatient hospital/ER 90%
And other boring stuff. On other hand it's a fortune to get my wife on it. (Like 700/m)
Any chance of getting in sooner for a cortisone shot to hold you over a bit?
Spinal cortisone injections are tricky, usually done with live xray so they can see where the needle is, and not usually much fun. I've had a few. They're also usually done as part of the diagnosis, the results you report and how long it lasts are a good indicator of what the problem could be. Along with an MRI, also a good time.....
But yes, the sooner you can be seen the better. Sometimes seeing a GP helps, because they'll do xrays and a recommendation from one can get you seen by a specialist a little sooner.
newracer
11-28-2016, 18:37
The main thing is you need to get in for a MRI ASAP.
fairrpe86
11-28-2016, 23:03
If you can get the MRI prior to being seen at the neurosurgeons office that will be a huge help, just make sure you get a copy of the imaging via cd so they can review it. Typically a PA will ask you for history, current symptoms, etc. They will do x-rays in office then send you for an MRI. once that is done then typically you go back in for a follow up to review those results and they recommend a treatment plan. My experience is they start with conservative treatments such as physical therapy or steroids or injections, etc. If those things do not work then if they feel surgery is an option they will set you up with an appointment with the actual surgeon to discuss what the surgery would be, you goals and their goals for the procedure and all of the details that go with it. Typically it is not a short process but then again if they get imaging back and seemright away that there is a major issue then surgery may come sooner. That's just my $.02 after having gone through it multiple times.
Dr. Benz at Orthopedic Center of the Rockies in Greeley. He did the surgery on my wife's back years ago after a vehicle rollover accident. She just had a check up for some nerve pain, and the repairs he did were still intact. Might need to get a referral first, bit that place is very good.
Snowman78
11-29-2016, 11:57
Here is who worked on my wife:
Dr. Sharad Rajpal
Dr. Sharad Rajpal,
Neurologist
Address: 4743 Arapahoe Ave Suite 202, Boulder, CO 80303
Phone: (303) 938-5700
http://www.spine-health.com/doctor/neurosurgeon/sharad-rajpal-boulder-co
Ya, Rajpal was who I was trying to go with first. But when just the initial first visit wasn't until like the 20th of Jan..... no bueno.
At least now being seen in a week, I can get the imaging done and initial talk with the PA before seeing the dr. (Who knows maybe it's possible to jump ship back to Rajpal after getting intitial stuff.)
Snowman78
11-29-2016, 17:40
My wife and I had meet with a different doc, she decided at that time she did not want surgery. About 4 weeks later she was laid up in the hospital and had to have emergency surgery, he happened to be the on call doc so we lucked out.
I wish the best o luck to you, back pain is a bitch.....
My wife and I had meet with a different doc, she decided at that time she did not want surgery. About 4 weeks later she was laid up in the hospital and had to have emergency surgery, he happened to be the on call doc so we lucked out.
I wish the best o luck to you, back pain is a bitch.....
Lol, need to find his schedule to know when to go to the ER then? ha.
cableguy11
11-29-2016, 19:23
This is who I saw. https://www.orthohealth.com/staff/bill-biggs-md/
He was very conservative and wanted me to try all the other options before resorting to surgery.
The first surgeon I saw wanted to just go ahead with a major surgery right away. I ended up with a much less evasive surgery and am 99% pain and symptom free now.
I got both my hips replaced at OCR. Nothing but good experiences there. They do everything there, doctor offices, surgical center and rehab.
Dr Stanley - Vail Orthopedics...he replaced a disc in my neck. No issues, quick recovery
Update for anyone interested in how it's going.
Got seen by the PA at my old hospital in Lafayette. She confirmed some symptoms was that yes something jacking with my sciatic nerve. Did an xray, vertebrae maybe a little close toghether and maybe my standing posture is horrible but had a bit of a curve going on...... she didnt say scoliosis but it's what they put on the RX.
Got a muscle relaxer to deal with my legs seizing in pain at night and some 6 day steroid anti inflammatory.
Got to call off work for MRI next week then follow up with Dr about course of action before he goes on vacation.
Muscle relaxer.... definately getting sleepy but not quite high like other pain meds. Hopefully I dont go falling down any stairs.
gnihcraes
12-08-2016, 20:49
watch the steroids. decadron/dexamethasone screwed me up.
Snowman78
12-17-2016, 15:22
Any updates OP?
legaleagle
12-18-2016, 22:33
Backs are a pain. I fell on ice in march and hit low back on concrete corner of step. Lots of pain and sciatic pain with numbness. Spent 4 months on my stomach for work and 6 months with several specialists to figure it out. Recommendations from Nothing is wrong to You need a three vertebrae fusion. Problem was no obvious structural damage to vertebrae or discs to explain symptoms. Finally got hooked up with GATC physical therapy. I had muscle knots from my knees to mid back. The real culprit was the hip flexers (Sosa) as they attach at top and front of thigh and go through pelvis onto L2-3-4. The muscles were so knotted they could not relax and were compressing and twisting my spine and interfering with nerve roots mimicking disc impingement. Sitting made it worse and no amount of stretching helped. We dry needled it for 4 weeks chasing knots. Now back to 100% plus with no surgery.
Not sure of your problem but I heard the same guesses. My pt guy really knew muscle structure and function. We ruled out structural issues through multiple MRI's while searching for answers. Not saying you have same issue, but thinking about it differently made a difference and no doctor could figure it out.
Hope me you can figure it out.
Went to the PA who prescribed tizanidine or something. muscle relaxer. Doesnt seem to do much but make me slightly sleepy. 6 day basically prednisone therapy pack. Made me feel good the first day or two followed by during the taper down phase back to the same pain.
Xray showed some C going on in my low back. Basically scoliosis almost looking. Unsure if I've always had or caused by my bad lifting. MRI was wednesday. Tech on the fly said he could see some of where my left side sciatic is getting pinched.
Monday morning visit with doc to see results + plan of action. I'm hoping for cortisone shot or something other than doing just PT. From the way it feels to me, and the recent worsening I had a hard time imagining that doing the trick.
fportmen45
12-19-2016, 13:39
Went to the PA who prescribed tizanidine or something. muscle relaxer. Doesnt seem to do much but make me slightly sleepy. 6 day basically prednisone therapy pack. Made me feel good the first day or two followed by during the taper down phase back to the same pain.
Xray showed some C going on in my low back. Basically scoliosis almost looking. Unsure if I've always had or caused by my bad lifting. MRI was wednesday. Tech on the fly said he could see some of where my left side sciatic is getting pinched.
Monday morning visit with doc to see results + plan of action. I'm hoping for cortisone shot or something other than doing just PT. From the way it feels to me, and the recent worsening I had a hard time imagining that doing the trick.
Sounds like we're in similar boats - I'm on day 5 of Medrol. It's done very little for the pain in my shoulder and numbness/tingling in my left arm. The doc says it's likely a neck issue, but need an MRI to confirm (currently trying to schedule one - how much did it set you back?). Hope it's able to be fixed; it would be nice to be able to sleep again.
Ok, got back from office. Herniated disc as well as disc degenerative disease or otherwise just erosion of one of the discs.
Going to get the cortisone shot in a week or two. If that isn't working out for me, I forget the fancy name, but it's surgery albeit not a big one. Basically 1 inch cut, go in and remove the bit of basically detached herniation pushing on the nerve.
@portman
On my insurance, I believe I was 90% covered and I owed ~500 day of the MRI.
newracer
12-19-2016, 14:32
Ok, got back from office. Herniated disc as well as disc degenerative disease or otherwise just erosion of one of the discs.
Going to get the cortisone shot in a week or two. If that isn't working out for me, I forget the fancy name, but it's surgery albeit not a big one. Basically 1 inch cut, go in and remove the bit of basically detached herniation pushing on the nerve.
@portman
On my insurance, I believe I was 90% covered and I owed ~500 day of the MRI.
That is the exact surgery I had a few months ago.
fportmen45
12-19-2016, 14:40
That is the exact surgery I had a few months ago.
How did it pan?
newracer
12-19-2016, 14:48
Got rid of more than 99% of my pain. I occasionally have some pain but it is no where near as sever and it goes away quickly by just stretching my back. My back muscles are still very weak so they get tired and cramp after standing or walking for a while but that is getting better too.
fportmen45
12-19-2016, 14:56
Giving me hope - thanks!
Snowman78
12-19-2016, 16:04
That is the exact surgery I had a few months ago.
Same as my wife, took away 99% of her pain as well. Sometimes her back will hurt after a long day, but other then that she is good to go. We also got a different bed (firm) and we both do yoga (she does a lot more yoga then I do).
legaleagle
12-19-2016, 20:57
Good news. You now know the problem. Sounds like discectomy is what you are talking about if the injection doesn't work. Herniation is likely not too bad if a discectomy is not first option. Either way good luck. I herniated and extruded disc fluid into spinal column on three discs and have tears in two - it is amazing how much punishment our bodies take. Also, when you head to pt keep in mind the dry needling to relieve muscle tension as you heal and begin to strengthen muscles.
Good luck, God's speed on the procedure and healing.
fportmen45
12-28-2016, 14:43
Turns out my disc is jacked & have a bone spur C6-7. The doc says I need an injection.
Fentonite
12-28-2016, 16:46
Good luck. Hopefully the injection calms it down enough that it can heal on its own without further intervention. Statistically, the odds are in your favor. I had an anterior fusion at the same level in 2015. It failed, so I'm going in for a posterior fusion in a few weeks. Not excited.
Update for those that were interested or in similiar straights.
Got the cortisone shot in January some time? Did absolutely nothing, if anything it was worse because I started getting "shocks" in my spine when I would slip a little on a desk leaning on my hand or foot slipped on the feet.
Stuff getting much worse as time goes on. I was "working it out" if I stayed up and moving. Now just to get up to pee and get a cup of tea or something and my back feels like it's going out and legs in a vice. Last few days I've slept 2-3 hours each night and I had to take these last few days of work off. Spent the weekend thru today 90% of it on the couch (can only lay on right side and seems to help if i can drape leg on floor which I can't do and bed is firmer)
Ran out of hydrocodone which was marginally better than tramadol. Tramadol I have to take 2x to get any effect.
Surgery is wednesday morning and can't come soon enough. I'm kinda terrified if it doesn't fix it because if it continues like it is, that's going to require much heavier painkillers around the clock or pretty much me not being able to work. I can't even sit in my office chair without it setting off back/leg)
cableguy11
02-13-2017, 19:33
Good luck and godspeed on your recovery! Need anything while you are layed up just shoot me a PM....[Beer]
Fortunately I have mom/mom in law both fighting to help me. But the nuisance part to all this waiting to get fixed... recovery supposed to be very very short.
Fentonite
02-13-2017, 21:54
Good luck with your surgery! I'm about 3-1/2 weeks out from my 3rd spine surgery. The best advice I can give: get off the pain pills as quick as you can. I was off all meds (even OTC's) on the third day after surgery. This was the quickest I've tapered down after any of my 8 prior surgeries, and this is my best recovery yet. Let your brain learn to deal with the pain instead of find ways to hide from it, and you'll adapt quicker and heal faster. Heal quick!
Great-Kazoo
02-14-2017, 00:41
Good luck with your surgery! I'm about 3-1/2 weeks out from my 3rd spine surgery. The best advice I can give: get off the pain pills as quick as you can. I was off all meds (even OTC's) on the third day after surgery. This was the quickest I've tapered down after any of my 8 prior surgeries, and this is my best recovery yet. Let your brain learn to deal with the pain instead of find ways to hide from it, and you'll adapt quicker and heal faster. Heal quick!
. While some can and do get off opiates faster than others. Not everyone's injury is visible and their pain level even worse. Having a support group of friends and family helps one get through the issues they encounter. It's also important they have a doctor that recognizes not everyone heals the same and address on going medical issues sooner, than later. Instead of blowing them off with the well it takes time to heal crap.
Fentonite
02-14-2017, 01:17
. While some can and do get off opiates faster than others. Not everyone's injury is visible and their pain level even worse. Having a support group of friends and family helps one get through the issues they encounter. It's also important they have a doctor that recognizes not everyone heals the same and address on going medical issues sooner, than later. Instead of blowing them off with the well it takes time to heal crap.
Agreed. Shoulda added a "YMMV" to my post.
fportmen45
02-14-2017, 14:14
Good luck, man.
So it's almost wierd having full range of motion and no pain. Been hurt for so long.
I have a little back pain, unsure whether it's purely incision pain or also some back pain ill have to live with from missing most of my disc. Post surgery nurses were a little suprised by my ravenous drinking/eating/walking solo to go pee so I was able to skiddadle pretty quick. About 4 hours later the stuff they gave me wore off and I was instinctively hunching over a little. Been working on keeping my posture good and alternating tramadol and a small hydro every 4-6 hours seems to keep the stinging off my mind.
Slept like 10 hours or so, needed it I'm sure after so many sleepless nights.
Fentonite
02-16-2017, 13:56
Sounds like you're doing awesome!!!! Congrats! You're gonna be sore for a bit, but as good as you're already doing, I expect you'll have a full recovery and be pain-free. [Beer]
fportmen45
02-16-2017, 16:00
Awesome, man!
Several of my friends swear by Walford Chiropractic, Dr. Richard Walford. Colorado Springs 719 6324225. He shoots USPSA. Worth a none surgical, none drug consult.
cableguy11
02-17-2017, 20:25
Awesome..
So spoke too soon. Back has pretty sharp pain in the mornings and Subaru morning woke up to having the pain in my leg again and the tight and pain when doing a leg raise/straighten like used to diagnose.
Able to get walking and after a morning hydro I'm good all day but my gait still off from not being able to swing leg fully out/extend. Pain is far less equal to before i saw doc so at least in functional but not on a level to get excersizeing or much housework/projects.
Called dr, said due to length of time with injury said it may be residual nerve inflamation, going to see how it goes for some time and possibly another steroid pack. If after all that still there or worsens would be probably re mri to see what's going on in there and basically I'd imagine surgery#2.
Back of mind wondering if it's been better waiting until the Indian doctor was available but that was quite some time longer and never woulda made it thru work jan/feb without meds. Was scary missing the last few days worth before surgery so I'm hoping worst case I'm stuck how i am now though even that is going to be a big QOL issue.
Great-Kazoo
02-22-2017, 14:30
So spoke too soon. Back has pretty sharp pain in the mornings and Subaru morning woke up to having the pain in my leg again and the tight and pain when doing a leg raise/straighten like used to diagnose.
Able to get walking and after a morning hydro I'm good all day but my gait still off from not being able to swing leg fully out/extend. Pain is far less equal to before i saw doc so at least in functional but not on a level to get excersizeing or much housework/projects.
Called dr, said due to length of time with injury said it may be residual nerve inflamation, going to see how it goes for some time and possibly another steroid pack. If after all that still there or worsens would be probably re mri to see what's going on in there and basically I'd imagine surgery#2.
Back of mind wondering if it's been better waiting until the Indian doctor was available but that was quite some time longer and never woulda made it thru work jan/feb without meds. Was scary missing the last few days worth before surgery so I'm hoping worst case I'm stuck how i am now though even that is going to be a big QOL issue.
With the issues you're having any weather changes will factor in. I could tell 1 week before a storm was moving from barometric pressure changes. With the leg no longer attached, i'm right 1/2 the time.
Snowman78
02-22-2017, 15:14
So spoke too soon. Back has pretty sharp pain in the mornings and Subaru morning woke up to having the pain in my leg again and the tight and pain when doing a leg raise/straighten like used to diagnose.
Able to get walking and after a morning hydro I'm good all day but my gait still off from not being able to swing leg fully out/extend. Pain is far less equal to before i saw doc so at least in functional but not on a level to get excersizeing or much housework/projects.
Called dr, said due to length of time with injury said it may be residual nerve inflamation, going to see how it goes for some time and possibly another steroid pack. If after all that still there or worsens would be probably re mri to see what's going on in there and basically I'd imagine surgery#2.
Back of mind wondering if it's been better waiting until the Indian doctor was available but that was quite some time longer and never woulda made it thru work jan/feb without meds. Was scary missing the last few days worth before surgery so I'm hoping worst case I'm stuck how i am now though even that is going to be a big QOL issue.
I am sorry to hear this, since my wife had surgery (Dec of 2015) she has had 3 or 4 times where so though her back was messed up again. However, after a day or two she is good to go. They told her it would be 12 to 18 mouths for recovery.
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