Thanks. That’s a horrible experience for the poor woman and with such tragic consequences for her and her family and all because she waited until it was too late to see a real medical doctor. Far too many similar experiences happen every single day. As soon as I posted though, I realized my suggestion that the poster seek immediate medical attention was not going to be “heard” so I am happy that at least one person read and agrees.
Pain is a helpful tool we humans are blessed with as a means of signaling that something is wrong. Medical doctors are the only trained professionals who have the education and training to first get an initial impression from a patient’s complete history, assess symptoms, run appropriate tests, diagnose, recommend treatment and give a long term prognosis. Yet some patients seem fixated on seeking medical advice from everyone except a qualified and trained medical doctor. Perhaps they also ask for investment advice from the cashier at their local 7-11 Mini-Mart and rely upon their dry-cleaners to give sound legal opinions and advice.
Miraculous “cures” via chiropractor, over the counter devices, masseuse, vitamins, advice from a dietitian, and non-traditional medical treatments should be pursued only after being seen, diagnosed and treated first by a medical doctor. Then a patient can ask their doctor for recommendations for alternative treatments, ask if alternative treatments will interfere with prescribed medications and ask if alternative treatments will help or possibly worsen the underlying condition(s) causing the pain.
If the back pain isn’t referred pain from elsewhere and is related to a prior back injury which only a medical doctor would be able to determine, then a referral to a good board certified orthopedic surgeon is the next step.
A good orthopedic surgeon will only recommend surgery, or surgical procedures such as Chymopapain injections if and only if the same orthopedic surgeon can also give the patient a 100% guarantee that such surgical intervention will provide the patient at least 90% pain relief.
Lots of good orthopods but when you are suffering neuropathy I preferred the neurosurgeon after consulting with both while using my poor wife as a crutch. :-)