Questions posted in the
Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
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Subject: Re: Heriated Disc L5 with chroin sciatica I was referred to a neurosurgeon for chronic and acute sciatic pain. Currently taking 16 mg. medrol once/day for the past 6 weeks because pain in my left hip and leg and numbness in my left foot is extreme if I stop taking it. I know this is not the answer to my problem but it keeps me going until I decide what to to. The Neurosurgeon ordered MRI and confirmed moderate to severe herniated L5 disc and recommends surgery soon. I am very upset about having surgery and let him know this. I asked him about other options that I researched on the web, such as chemonucleolysis and he said that wasn't a good option. He seemed to be impatient with my not agreeing to setting a date for surgery. I said that I wanted to talk it over with my family Dr. and asked to the MRI results with me. He said" I don't see why that is necessary". I was reluctant to insist on taking the results with me, fearing that I might offend him by asking about a 2nd opinion, because he is a highly recommended and hard to see Dr. Don't you think he should have been more than willing to share the MRI results and even suggested 2nd opinion himself to ease my noticable anxiety. What should I do about getting a 2nd opinion without making him mad. If there is one person I don't want mad at me, it is the Dr. operating on my spine. _______ _______ Dear John, Most surgeons won't mind when you ask for a second opinion on a case. In If you are not comfortable or do not like your surgeon for some reason, find Good luck.
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