MRI place disregarded my tumor

[Citizen T]

I got $5,000 worth of MRI/mra scans to try to explain my chronic headache. This was in July 2005. The reports were all fully normal with no mention of abnormality. Then I had another MRI in December at another place and the report mentioned the tumor. The tumor was blatantly obviously visable on the first scans but wasn't reported. I've since had 2 neurosurgeons recommend surgery to relieve my symptoms. The first MRI place is coming at me to collect their bill because my insurance screwed me over...I for one don't feel like I owe them a thing since they missed my tumor. Should I get a lawyer, do I have any leverage here to get my bill cancelled?

[young at heart]

I can understand your frustrations when it comes to radiologist and MRI's.
I was explained that each radiologist interprets the images differently.Example:you could have one image and 5 radiologist and each have a different opinion.Which stinks!!!!
I went 2 years undiagnosed with MS.My new neuro says bring me in your MRI's.Well it was all right there in black and white.Now my MS is progressive.
As far as paying for them as long as you make an effort,$5.00 a month they can't report you to a collection facility nor attach it to your credit report.

[Jenny Wren]

I'm posting here because the neurology forum under my post is maxed out.  Do you think that my symptoms are consistent with MS?  I have never experienced weakness, numbness, or eye problems.  I just have these weird tickly sensations that are there on a daily basis, but only when wearing clothes, I know that is weird, but its true.  I have been going to PT for my neck, it seemed to have helped tremendously with the facial tingling, ear pain, and migraines, and the shoulder stiffness isn't there as bad either.  Could all this be caused by anxiety and muscle tension?  My gram was diagnosed at age 60, she just passed away 3 years ago, I wish she was still here to have further testing done, I do suspect that there was something else, perhaps Lyme, caused her problems.  Although she had PPMS, the only trouble that she had was left leg dragging, intolerance to heat, and some bowel issues.  She functioned normally, everyday, and never required a wheelchair or walker.  She was a life long camper, and traveled along the east coast every year.  I really do wonder sometimes, and wish she was still with us to maybe try the Lyme route.  Some things I know can never be explained, sometimes I think that maybe its hormonal with me, being my gram also went through the change of life at age 39, naturally.  My mom was 50.  So you have my mom and her dad, that are life long migraine suffers, and my gram, who was daignosed with MS, and depression and anxiety does run in my family also. Thank you for your time, and thoughts, they are appreciated greatly!!! Take care

[Kalio1]

I'd show them the new Mri results showing the tumor, I'd have the MRI they did examined by your doctor if possible. I'd explain to them in writing I was NOT going to pay for this as they did not do their job properly, ie. tell you about the tumor.Contact the BBB about it. Ask them what you need to do. If they missed an obvious tumor I would not pay for the service. that was the point in getting the scan, to find if anything was lurking there. I have heard the "full body scans" techs have questionable credentials. Look like that is what happened to you. Good luck dealing with the tumor.

[sdp4314]

I would write the imaging center a letter explaining the situation and I'd bet your bill would go away.

A truth be known, yes they can put it on your credit report.  Atleast in Texas they can.  I know first hand since I've been a medical biller/collector.

Still, write the administrator and I'd bet your bill will disappear!  It would be cheaper for them to write it off vs. possible legal issues.

Best of luck to you on your surgery.  I hope everything will be okay.

[young at heart]

You stated that wearing clothes causes symptoms.Have you ever been tested for small fiber neuropathy.
You possibly could have MS.One way to tell is if you ever have the tumor removed.Its common practice that they'll biopsy it.I know of a lady that had MS symptoms that lingered for years.No brain lesions,but she had brain atrophy and they done a biopsy and it came back demyelinating disease process.
I have PPMS.It has hit me hard this time.I am recovering slowly.I'll never be symptom free.I go and do.yes,it has slowed me down but I get to enjoy most everything.Hot weather kicks my butt.

[Demiguise]

Do you have ALL reports stating scan impression? What did Dr's
say was the type tumor & is that the procedure needed to remove
to fix hdaches? On an MRI, air/space looks black & cartilage/
thick-tissue shows grey/infection or tumor often shows white.
Are you good at reading films? If it was benign & not in path
of what may be hdache cause, might not tell you. The 2 Neuro's
are a surprise to point that out to you. They have a code abt
their own. You may get less treatment yelling 'lawyer'. It is
over a yr & the battle for $ is 1st understand last yrs policy/
was pre-authoriztion needed/deductable met? Are they asking for
$5000 or is there a contracted cost? If you have same policy,
understand it before anymore tests. Ins Co deals w/ payments of
procedures, not what the radiologist may have missed. If you
just rec'd the bill, many co's have to waive % or cost if not
billed within 12mo. Your gripe is w/ negligence of radiologist
so call calmly to get corp # & speak to someone in charge. They
too carry malpractice ins. & want to know if they are paying
someone asleep in such a critical field. They may re-read films
& see error & with draw bill from Ins Co. Get all copies & keep
in mind, lab will confirm Dr's said he missed it. Take care of
your immediate health issue & do Sherlock quietly. You can
always report name to Radiology State Licensing board. You will
need more than say so. Get copies. Not all tumors cause hdaches.

[Jenny Wren]

Yes, I think you were talking to me.  Clothing makes me feel tickly, weird, I know.  I do not have any type of pain with this.  I look into small fiber neuropathy, I don't know  about it, cause there is no pain involved with me.  Wouldn't there be nerve pain present with that?  I only have pain when I get my migraines. Thank you!!!

[young at heart]

I apologize,MS brain fog.

Small fiber neuropathy I don't know much about,it was just a thought.

[Jenny Wren]

Thanks, apology accepted!!! Take care!!

[zzzzzzzzzz]

Oh how I wish I could go to a centre that specialises in MS - But I live in NewZealand and here things are very different. All I can get is a Neuro in a City an hours drive away - newly qualified and specialising in head injuries - hes good though - at least he hasn't blown me off ....yet. I have only had MRIs and some bloodwork that I have no idea of the contents of - I'm reluctant to ask my doc ans shes very against my wanting to know more. All I know is I had an slightly elevated ESR - 15 I think it was. Here the hospital system is free, but moves very slowly - I ma being treated as an out-patient which limits what the Neuro can do for me - basicly to qualify for further tests, I have to be ill enough to be hospitalised and then he can do what he wants with me. The hard part is knowing if I'm ill enough - don't want to blow my chance.  My left toes have buzzed 24/7 for a year now - sometimes they hurt like hell and move involuntarily - recently its spread up to my knee - leg feels 'dizzy' and ankle feels weak, but not as bad as a year ago when so much happened all at once, so I don't think its wise to sound the alarm just yet.
Anyway, thanks so much for your reply, I have to go be a mum (or MOM as you call it) Have a great day.  :-)

[zzzzzzzzzz]

Hi, You mentioned that it hit you hard this time - I've read you have PPMS, are you saying that you get actual 'attacks' with PPMS? I was recently told that this does not happen with PPMS - that its a gradual process without the 'attacks' one sees in the relapsing remitting type. I have had 2 clear MRIs, but still have MS type symptoms - my Neuro is waiting for me to have another bad 'attack' so he can do other tests at the optimum time (MRIs were done a month after ordered, when things had calmed down). I hope you don't mind my asking about this, you seem to be the only one here who has had a diagnosis following clear MRIs. I hear different things from different people. Most (including my doc) say clear MRI means no MS.
I do hope the trouble with quinine has resolved itself and that you're feeling better.

[young at heart]

Yes, my diagnosis was made without lesion on the MRI's.I had several test.
My lesions were detected by evoked potentals.Visual and somatosensory(spinal tract).Not all lesions are detectable by MRI's.I had emg/ncs.NCS showed delayed conduction associated with demyelination.Lumbar puncture and blood test came back highly elevated myelin basic protein.My body was attacking the nerve myelin sheaths.Yes,I do have PPMS.My symptoms don't disappear,but somedays they can be extremely bad and then they lesson.These attacks affect my legs mainly.I now wear leg braces.
I had progression from this disease since last October.I had symptoms prior,but blew them of.Many Doctors use the McDonald criteria.Not all patients fit in to that criteria.
I was diagnosed at the cleveland clinic.They done test after test.Blood work and more blood work.This facility was awesome!!
If you still have symptoms go to a large clinic that specializes in MS.
My first attack was in 1998.I was diagnosed the with Relapsing and remitting.I had lesions in the occiptal region,that has now caused brain atrophy and the lesions are gone.To make a long story short I disregarded the neuro's DX.I had just had a lumbar surgery that wasn't successful and honestly thought the surgeon was covering his rear.
Hang in there,if its MS it will show its ugly side eventually.Many people don't relize that early stages of MS the demyelination can remyelinate and then the scars are not detectable.Once the body has exhausted all means of healing the scars thats when the lesions appear.

[Demiguise]

There is now a new Neurology Forum set up as patient-to-patient.
Click Forums above, then Neurology Support. Good idea for many.
Now you don't have to scroll/search so much. Just started today.