OT - saw back specialist

Finally had my appt at Cleveland Clinic today.  I like the doctor I saw.  He looked at my MRI and said I do NOT have degenerative disc disease, which is what the radiologist wrote in the MRI report AND what the other back specialist said.  He showed me the MRI on his computer and explained why I do NOT have degenerative disc disease and it seemed pretty clear so I am rather annoyed that the radiologist said I had it and that the other doctor didn't realize the radiologist was wrong.

He said I DO have a herniated disc, which neither the radiologist or other doc picked up on, and showed that to me and it was very easy to see.  He said it is not a bad herniation, it's just sticking out a little, but it's still easy to see.  I had no trouble seeing it.

He showed me the muscle around the base of my spine and asked if I could see how it looked like filet mignon and said it should look like strip steak.  Um, yeah... I'm a vegetarian.  I have no clue what different cuts of beef might look like.  But apparently the tissue is very fatty and it shouldn't be.  I'm like, I have lots of fat around my spine?  Really?  I lose 150 pounds but my spine is fatty?  How does that happen?

He said he thinks I had the hernated disc and that hurt so I tried to avoid using the muscles around it because it hurt and those muscles started to atrophy.  Also there were spots that were filled with fluid that shouldn't be there.

Anyway, someone is supposed to call me to schedule a diagnostic test where they inject pain killers around the nerves and if that works, they do something that essentially burns the nerve endings so they don't transmit pain signals for a long, long time until the nerve endings heal.  After they do that, I have to do physical therapy, which I am not thrilled about.  I pointed out that I did PT a couple years ago for my back and it didn't help but apparently the hopsital in my town is not a good place to go for PT.  He said I need to go someplace where they have therapist that are trained in... oh, something, I forget what, but the ones at this hospital are not trained in the right techniques.  Which means I'm gonna have to drive a ways to get to PT. And I have to do it for six weeks and he suggested it will not be very fun.  But he seems very sure it will be effective.  So I guess I will do it.  Something has to help.

So at least we have a plan.  It was an exhausting day.  Long drive there, long wait once we were there, long drive home.

Good grief! I hope this guy is completely right on so to can eventually fins some relief.

I have a herniated disc and get  an injection when the previous injection wears off.  i love that it no longer hurts and keep hoping it heals so I can stop the injections.

Kelly,

I am so glad you got to see him today! Sounds like good news to me. When you mentioned filet mignon vs strip steak what came to my mind was this: File Mignon and tightly round muscle that coiled up on itself where as a strip steak is long and lean. I don't know if that is correct or not but just what came to mind. However, as you are probably well aware of, take your pain pills about 30 minutes before you get into PT. It sure will help. My best friend had those shots. She is in her 70's and she is back to square dancing. Yes I said square dancing. She has not slowed down a bit. But then again, she has never had an ounce of fat on her body at all.

Hope this plan works out for you and what a relief to have a plan.

i'm glad that you have a plan. no one should have to be in so much pain.

I'm not so sure about that...I can think of a number of people (no one famous) who, to my way of thinking, ought to be in that much pain...constantly...

 The Cleveland Clinic is supposed to be excellent so hopefully he's right! Sounds like you've had back problems for awhile so I really hope this doctor can help!

It has been quite a while.  It all started about six years ago, except then it would bother me for a few days, then get better and I'd feel fine for several weeks or even a few months.  Then it would act up again.  It's just progressively gotten worse and worse over time.  For a little over a year now, it's hurt every day.  It hurts enough that the pain wakes me up at night, usually several times a night.  And that's been happening for a little over a year.  I have not slept through the night in over a year.  In the last couple of months, just walking has started to get painful.  So it's definitely getting worse.  This doctor seemed to know what he was talking about, though.

I'm glad he was able to see the problem right off the bat. I'm sorry that you will have to drive a ways to PT and that it will likely be uncomfortable.

Get some rest.

 I am so glad you went to a "good" reputable place and now you may surprised at how good you will feel 6 months from now. Committ to the therapy just like everything you did for WLS. I am happy for you!