Lapse in Judgement

My right arm has been sore for 8 years. I finally saw an ortho doctor a few weeks ago and had an MRI. I am excited to say he has a cancellation so I get to see him today, my original appointment was for 9-3...

On Friday my right arm was so sore I went to urgent care, I actually cried in the doctors office. He looked at my MRI and I have two mild bulging disc's, which he didn't think was causing my arm pain - he didn't know what was causing it.

Anyways, he decided to see if he could affect my arms so he put both hands on top of my head and pushed down, then asked me to look to the left and did the same thing. Now my left shoulder is in soooo much pain and is weak. I can't even text on my phone and it feels really heavy. Do you think the pushing compressed a nerve?  I am also getting the shakes in that arm.

I sent a message to my PCP to get a referral to a nuerologist...I am worried.

[selmaS]

Ouch Kim...reading that made me hurt for u,...did this dr know u had surgery for chiari? OMG....that just seems so strange...generally they pull up on our heads, not push down.

I understand ur wanting to be seen right away, but it isn't always the best idea, as u put it a lapse in judgement...pain can do that to us....

Hopefully at ur appointment today u will get a better idea as to what is going on and if the other dr did nething hurtful to u.

Good luck and please update after ur visit : )

"selma"

[*Stormy*]

HI..I was just wondering how long ago that MRI was (forgive me if I should know!) I wonder sometimes if something that was "mild" can become a lot worse over time. I think with Chiari it messes with everything, muscles, ligaments etc..that can make your body work differently and cause things to get worse.

I have a lot of arm pain that comes from two places..one at where my neck meets the shoulders and the other from my mid back. On all my MRI's it has been listed as mild narrowing or disc dessication (desiccation)...yet both those places really hurt!! I have significant spasms at my neck and shoulder b/c they are so weak and are trying to hold things together. I feel that is where most of my arm pain comes from, the muscles spasm and it feels like they are pushing on a nerve. I wonder if that is the case for you?

The arm heaviness that you describe sounds like extreme muscles weakness...mine get like that when the area in my back spasms..I can actually feel it shutting off the function to my arm.

I agree with Selma, I am a little concerned that he would push down on your head like that...

I hope you figure it out...I feel like we all have to share in this together so that hopefully one of us can get the answers and share with the rest!!

Good luck,
Carolyn

[redkim]

The doctor did know I had surgery, but I didn't explain the procedure so I am not sure if he knew what it entailed...my fault for not telling him.  I really hope I didn't mess things up.  
It was stupid of me, but I am in so much pain and was desperate.

My Cervial MRI said the spinal cord was normal in position and singnal...

I think I will need to see an NL or my NS to know more.  If I learn anything I will share it.

My visit today is to have my Ganglion Cyst drained, I have been waiting for over a week for the doctor to even call me so I am glad I get to see him tonight.  After this I don't think I will stay with him.

[selmaS]

Good luck with the cyst....and I pray that dr didn't mess nething up.

"selma"

[redkim]

My PCP just sent me a message that she didn't think I needed to see a Nuerologist, but she replied that I should continue with the exercises I received from the pain management clinic...but that was for my right arm...!

So I left a message with a nurse explaining this is NEW pain on my LEFT side due to the doctor pushing on my head.  

[selmaS]

The staff at a drs office can really be the reason we all get the royal run around...they act like they know more than a dr and presume to answer for them...only half listening...so very frustrating...what did she say after that?
Goodness....

[redkim]

Lol, the nurse called to ask me some questions...She said I would need to see my PCP in person for her to decide if I need to see a Nuerologist.  I told her that I would have thought brain surgery would have qualified me to see a nuerologost for follow-up's.  I told her I have an NS, but they can only see me if I need surgery.  So she said she would ask if I could get the referral with out the visit.  I also told her the urgent care doctor told me to see a Nuerologist.

My PCP also commented on the newest MRI that didn't show bulging disc's, but my MRI in 2008 shows two.  I was tempted to explain how radiologists don't read MRI's properly, nor do doctors.

[selmaS]

LMAO...OMG Kim...I know it is funny how we have to get copies to make sure they (the drs).....tell us everything found.

Didn't ur NS have u set up a NL to work with after surgery?...I was told to, but was unable to find one that was willing to work with me with out being able to talk to my NS...which was a have them call  Atown, and they said , have them call NY...lol..it got out of hand and I was getting dizzy so I gave up...but. my PCP made up for it and is reading up and very open to listen and help.

I imagine it is ur insurance that u need a referral first.....

"selma"

[*Stormy*]

Well my NS doesn't even think that I need to see a NL...it's so frustrating, who do we see when we have a problem?

Seeing my dr tomorrow to see if I should keep the NL appt in September or not, the NS said the NL probably won't be able to help me so I feel like I shouldn't bother. My NS has been the only one that knows anything about Chiari. It's funny though b/c all the other specialists keep telling me to see a NL though and yet my NS is telling me to go to some rehabilitation drs... SO confusing..

Carolyn

[redkim]

That doesn't make sense.  Of course we need to see a nuerologist!  I am still waiting for the referral.

I did see the ortho doctor.  He asperated the cyst, but it's stll there I am waiting to see if it's just swollen and will go away.  We looked at my MRI and on my lunate bone there are two very black spots.  He told me he didn't know what they were, he didn't know what the radiologist was saying in the report, and that he relies on them to read the films.  He did assure me it wasn't cancer, lol...!  He said he doesn't know how he can help me any more because he doesn't see anything that requires surgery.  So I am back to square one and looking for answers.

My PCP wants me to make an appointment with comprehensive pain...

[*Stormy*]

UGH Kim...I am right there with you...it seems all we do is travel in circles. Everytime I see a new specialist, I have hope but I come away with disappointment.

I think that is what this rehab thing is all about too...pain management.

Well I'll see what my PCP says today too..

Carolyn

[redkim]

What did your PCP say?

Mine submited the referral to Nuerology.  I have an appointment on Sept 16th - the soonest they could see me.

It seems like it's taking longer and longer to be seen.

[*Stormy*]

Well, they are canceling the NL appt...apparently, whatever nerve damage that is done has already been done and since NL are just testers, there is nothing they can do for me (that is the opinion of my PCP and NS). So I am trying out Amitriptoline with the Lyrica (which is making me feel ill this morning) to see if I sleep better and if it helps with the pain. Then, I am going to the rehab people and getting my gait assessed and possibly botox for the muscle spasms (scary!!) I just decided that I will give this rehab thing a try and see if it does help....

Carolyn

[redkim]

Wow, I can't believe they cancelled your appointment.  I hope the rehab goes well and they are able to help.  That is what is so scary about these long waits - any damage could become permanent.  I know a Chiarian who get's botox for his headaches and says it really helps for about three weeks, he goes once a month.  This is very frustrating, especially getting your hopes up of having an appointment only to be told it won't help.  

I was told that about my arm pain, but I refuse to accept that when they can't even tell me what's causing it.  Hang in there and I hope you feel better today!