Which network? If my insurance doesn't cover him, then it's a no go. I'll have to run his name through the website and see what I find.

Ah. Thanks!

At the time he was part of the Cox network.

what a drag it is getting old
 

I feel your pain, cervical fusion in 2000, lumbar lamencetomy at 3-4-5 in 2004, and again in 2006. Dr. said it was only the 2nd case he had seen where the bone grew back into the spine. Unfortunately, you will have to live with some pain from now on. Surgery can eliminate the numbness and perhaps keep you out of a wheelchair.

Most GOOD Drs. will tell you surgery is the last option. Sometimes for stenoios they go in from the front, around your belly button. They have a lot of organs to move around, then put back in place.

Being a Chiefs fan I understand that chronic pain will be no big step for you. Remember, just wait till next year.

While badgirl isn't a Chiefs fan, I am. 3-4-5 is what I would need done. My doctor said I still had mobility and control of my leg, and that my bladder wasn't affected. Along with my age, that's why he suggested putting off surgery. I'm not old! :((

Here's a strange take on it, but it's good advice. If you know any lawyers in your area, ask them to talk to a med mal attorney for you ... a lot of times they can tell you who the best surgeons are, and which ones to stay away from.

Best of luck ... I got decent results from my 2 back surgeries. I'll never be 100%, but the massive reduction in my back pain made them both worth it.

been off for a few days and just caught up on this thread. Luv, back in october of last year I couldnt walk for 3 weeks and now I still at times have my leg buckle under me and the pain is almost unbareable at times. I didn't know about it affecting the bladder. What is this you speak of? I hate to get into a pee thread but at times I have a very very hard time with it. I have to strain really hard to urinate, is there a possibilty my back is affecting it? I haven't discussed my problem with this to my dr cause I thought it was unrelated and It doesn't happen all the time.

If you really have disc degeneration there isn't any other way to fix it than a surgical procedure...it isn't something that will just heal.

Duh!!!

Well what exactly are you asking.....you said a surgery you "may not need" how else should I interpret that?

evidentally, if its not to bad you can have some kind of shots. My Duh was to you saying it wouldn't heal itself. That part I am aware of.

Did they explain to you how often you need those shots and the size of the needle that is used....

No:shake:

I'm going to give you a hint it's like an epiderrel however you spell that needle...it's rather large.

I once had a spinal tap, anything like that needle? It was pretty big, but they numbed my back in that area and I had so much pain meds through a IV that it didn't hurt at all.