DrugBuyers.Com: Why I am here...UPDATE!

Since 1997, and most specifically since Sept. 2000, I have been practically an invalid due to severe CP. I keep tearing the annulus at L-5,S-1. Had IDET surgery on L-4,5 in early 2001, but L-5 was too shot. Well, I finally have had enough, and this week am determined to find out why this continues to happen. It is always degenerative disc, L-5, S-1 and annular tear. While always in CP, these "tears" which happen several times in a year, send me off the pain scale. I keep being told exercise, get epidurals, and use a patch, but nothing holds when these "tears" occur. I finally had an informal opinion from a board certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine doctor (not in my state, nor do I know, just through a friend mentioning my symtoms), and he said to have them look at degenerative disc changes and/or that the pain may be stemming from the facet joints. In my opinion, both have disinegrated A LOT, but I go for a second epi tomorrow, and have asked them to review all MRI's, CT, Discogram, etc., and in addition, to do a nerve block with the epidural, or something at the facet joints in particular. I am going back to a neuro on Tuesday (haven't seen one since 2000.) I want to get to the bottom of this - but to date, it has taken an informal opinion which has given me hope - which I just got middle of last week, and a lot of research on my part since then to start to strongly advocate for myself. All I've been told through the years is that everyone has degenerative discs, esp. at L-5,S-1 after about age 40. So who am I to have the pain? Most people don't even feel it. But I doubt that anyone tears the annulus as many times a year as I do. I finally had come to the conclusion that it never heals, so therefore it is always torn, but now I don't think that is so. I sure am rambling, sorry. I am happy that two of you have finally gotten the correct diagnosis. I know what you have been going through. I am waiting for a correct diagnosis. However, how are we supposed to know what is going on? Isn't that why we go to these specialists? Now, I have some information thanks to a dear friend, and can go forward and advocate and push myself.

I don't know about suing your doctor, but you may wish to try and recoup all of your medical costs associated with the MRI, pain meds, etc., from that doctor for ordering the wrong MRI. I think just a letter from an attorney would be enough, leaving the idea of suing unspoken, and see what happens. The doctor may well be willing to settle and pay the cost of your medical bills. Hope you feel better. I am going back to my heating pad.

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Take care, Shasta