finding a spine specialist problem

[bassfishinaddict]

Hi, I'm facing a delema because I can't get to a specialist to get medical care. I need pain management for my condition. I have a second degree torn back muscle in my lower back from a car accident, but because I've had a fusion, L5-S1, and my spine is curved inwards from being in the bed I'm too vulnerable to be moved. If I move around or walk a little my spine starts punching through my gut. If I tried making it to the back doctor's office I'd be detoured to the ER and then the morgue for sure. My spine is bowed in and the fusion plus the tear (no muscles to hold the neutral spine) is causing it to be weakened at the level that is supposr to break in 10 more years normally outwardly now inwardly. Pain medication would allow me to sleep and heal up the tear and I could push the spine back out, I've done it before only to have wrenches thrown in to knock me off my feet again. Would anyone know how to get a specialist or pain management doctor out to me? Thanks

[Cervie Barb]

Do you have a regular doctor? I'd call them and see if they can write a script to be picked up. Tell them about your situation, and they may have a few ideas.

Your back sounds dangerously unstable! I would think they would do an emergency surgery. Did the hardware break at the fusion?

Good luck, and hopefully others will come along with more ideas. Take care.

[GardeniaGirl]

hi there - i just wanted to say welcome to braintalk -- i am sorry to hear about what you are dealing with - it sounds really miserable!

i don't have specific suggestions for you- but hopefully someone else will.

i would think that if a patient could not leave their home, then there should be some doctor that would be willing to come out and see them. - at least i would hope that is possible.

there is also a spinal disorders forum here that might be a good place to post as well.

take good care
GardeniaGirl

[Mark N]

When I was unable to move because of my spinal pain I couldn't get my doctor to see me. The only option you have is to get hauled in to see them or have an ambulance transport you. I am very stubborn and refused an ambulance so I crawled to the car and to the doctor's office.

They will not come and see you, you will have to be transported to ER or to the doctor's office. I am sorry you are in so much pain and you need to get in to be treated so call the ambulance and get treatment started. I wish you the best.

[bassfishinaddict]

Thanks for the responses.

Curvy Barb, my PC doctor won't write out any more prescriptions since I've not been in over year to his office. I've had two surgeries in the same place and because the scar tissue is so thick a third would not heal right. I could walk out of it with some good pain meds and heck of alot of sleep.

Gardenia Girl, thanks for the warm welcome, It feels hopeless but I've been through too many things to give up the fight. I hate the indoors and love the outdoors, got a kick arse new rod to go fishin with one of these times.

Mark N, I've been down that trail, it would be a fool hearty effort going somewhere even by stretcher. I need my whole bed space just maneuver my back with my legs to keep it from poppin through. I went by ambulance and stretcher to see my PC doc last yr and barely made it back home. I was jeeshin the whole ride back and it wasn't but 10 mins away. I can't make it to the reg. bathroom. I' m confined brother...but optimistically still holden out hope.

[911]

just a quik note , i have had 3 back surguries so it can and will heal if done right , as for finding a doc i dunno how to adress that issue but keep coming back and welcome ,,,,,,,,,, dave ,,,,,,,,,aka,,,,,,,,,,,,,911

[Cervie Barb]

Whew, sorry to hear that! Scar tissue is a bear, and the more you go in, the more you get! Hope you find the help you need, and if it takes an ambulance, I say go for it.

I love your user name, and I'm right there with ya! I live in rural NY now, but when I lived in FL the bass fishing was really great. I'd go by canoe into those little tributaries off the St Johns and other rivers. Haul em in and cook them over the fire at night. Yum. A friend of mine would have a fish fry every year cooked in beer batter. Yum!

I've caught a few in NY too, but I don't fish as much as I use to. You'll get out there soon to test that new rod.

Take care, and good luck.

[bassfishinaddict]

Thanks for the kindness you guys, 911 and Curvie Barb. That is pure bass heaven down there. I dream of it often...heh heh..though I haven't been there yet.

Do yall know of any good strength pain meds for backs I could try out? I had a big allergic reaction to the hydrocodone the last time i used it; it may have been the codeine in it. I wanted to try out maybe percocet.... any that y'all had success with?

bassfishinaddict

[gizmogirl]

It sure sounds to me that you need real surgery to get rid of the scar tissue and get you some stability, and then they would give you real pain meds - not hydrocodone or percocet - search on "jane brody" here and read about how there are short term and long term pain relievers and how she learned the hard way after getting her knee replacement.
If I were as confined as you without long acting pain meds like fentanyl or methadose or the bzillions of kinds there are now, I have to wonder if I just might get the surgery just to get the meds!
Good luck,
Jane

[bassfishinaddict]

Thanks Jane, I really believe all I'm going to need is something that will keep me constipated. As funny as that sounds, what is undoing the muscle tissue healing is getting out of bed. Thus I need a constipating med. I'd be fine with OTC pain meds, Motrin, but it isn't causing enough constipation. Any suggestions?

Alex