Update~ No Back Surgery!!!

[cramp_n_mystyle]

So I went to see the neuro surgeon today for my evaluation appt.It was a little bit confusing when the guy that kept calling patients to the back turned out to be the Dr! :) He didn't wear a labcoat or a suit either! Blue tee with hospital name and jeans.

Anyway,he actually ASKED me questions regarding my situation rather than him doing all the talking and me just listening and forgetting what I wanted to ask.He was easy to talk to.He explained well about how lumbar spinal stenosis presents itself (pain is not the issue;numbness in the legs is).I could see my spine on his computer.He showed me,as he talked,and said"most all of your vertebrae look healthy.But when you get down to L-5 1,you notice how it has flattened out and there's arthritis there.Surgery will not remove the arthritis.So,at this time,surgery is not an option.He must have expected a disappointed patient! I looked him straight in the eyes and said "that's good news!!!" He looked relieved to hear me express it! He did do a neuro exam while I was there.I was able to feel him prick me with a pin.But it's like my right big toe is 'nerve dead'.In fact that toenail is discolored.I couldn't pull my toe up off the floor.But now I'm able to move it! But I noticed last week that when I had some kind of "nerve thing" going through my left toe,it never happened with the right.Maybe it was sciatica.But it didn't feel like it.But anyway,he's got all my info; blurry eyes,etc in his computer.

[rendean]

Sounds like a GOOD visit! A doctor that LISTENS is a keeper. Glad surgery is off the table for you!

Keep us updated!

Ren

[kwarendorf]

Forget listening, a doc that wears a tee shirt is a keeper :-)

That's good news re: surgery.

Kyle

[cramp_n_mystyle]

Ren,
  It really does mean alot when a Dr is willing to listen to the patient! I've been in enough situations where I felt that I was being moved as quickly as possible so the next patient could come in---listening wasn't the objective! That's why from time to time I simply had to take 'medical breaks'!

Kyle,
I understand Drs are starting to 'adopt' the casual style now.I rather like it.It's easier for me to talk to a Dr if I'm not feeling intimidated or looking at their suit and wondering how many patients they had to see before they could afford to buy it!!! :)

Alex,
  My pain seems to stem from inflammation.I'm trying to decide whether I ought to do another round of steroids.I dunno.Anyway,I'm going to get the NP to write a script for PT tomorrow.It will have to be preapproved.Might as well get the ball a-rolling!