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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Re: Heriated Disc L5 with chroin sciatica
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Re: Heriated Disc L5 with chroin sciatica
by CCF NSG MD / gsh, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF NSG MD /gsh on September 14, 1998 at 09:54:38:
In Reply to: Heriated Disc L5 with chroin sciatica posted by John@JohnJohn on September 08, 1998 at 12:49:31:
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
your instance the case seems pretty clear and you will need to have the discectomy.
This is likely the source of your surgeon's frustration in that the case isn't
that complicated to diagnose and treat. Regardless, your surgeon should be
courteous and understand your concern about surgery. As such, he should welcome
a second opinion if you so desire.
If you are not comfortable or do not like your surgeon for some reason, find
another. There are plenty of good surgeons out there who will take excellent
care of you.
Good luck.
In Reply to: Heriated Disc L5 with chroin sciatica posted by John@JohnJohn on September 08, 1998 at 12:49:31:
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
your instance the case seems pretty clear and you will need to have the discectomy.
This is likely the source of your surgeon's frustration in that the case isn't
that complicated to diagnose and treat. Regardless, your surgeon should be
courteous and understand your concern about surgery. As such, he should welcome
a second opinion if you so desire.
If you are not comfortable or do not like your surgeon for some reason, find
another. There are plenty of good surgeons out there who will take excellent
care of you.
Good luck.
