[ChemistCat]

Bless you all. I called and left a message for the doctor. Told her that I left too upset to ask cogent questions (I had expected to deal with lupus flare problems, not a brand new problem) and that I wanted to know more specifically what she thought was up. I have an "extensive bulging disk problem" that will need to be addressed as soon as possible. I'm supposed to avoid heavy lifting and the like. With all the joint pain I have, I don't do a lot of lifting anyway. Anyway, I have an MRI as soon as my insurance approves it and a follow up with two surgeons in the same practice, plus this rheumatologist who works with them. I no longer heal well. I've had complications after every single surgery I've had with the exception of the biopsy I had last week (possible skin cancer, but my GP doesn't think so.) It doesn't rain but it pours.

[ChemistCat]

Grateful bump.

[VRWC_minion]

It doesn't rain but it pours.

It could be worse. You could have been Trent Lott.

[spycatcher]

An MRI is the key, I had two friends that were denied an MRI by the insurers and one sent to get physical therapy first which made the condition worse. Another had a chiro saying in was no big deal and just needed daily adjustments. The neurosurgeons said they were both irresponsible when he finally was able to get the referral ordered MRIs and saw the damage.

It's like ordering physical therapy and rehab stretching for a broken arm while denying an X-Ray. The HMO's and chiros who do this ought to be sued.

[Jesse]

Uh, just curious, but without an MRI or CT contrast myelogram, how do they know you have bulging discs and need surgery?p> Have to know what they found, how they found it. But keep in mind that there is one huge difference between the cervical spine and the low back. The spinal cord is in the cervical spine and it is not uncommon to have direct pressure placed on the cord because of narrowing of the spine. This can cause injury to the cord. Chiropracters and shark cartilage won't do you any good if you have a severe enough spinal stenosis.