2 questions

[hhkos]

First of all, thanx to those who responded to my last post. I really appreciate it.

Questions:

1): This is my 4th day after a mylo/lumbar/CT where I had dye injected, and my back is still sore and feels a bit messed up. I am paranoid that maybe it's infected. It doesn't look infected, but shouldn't I be back to "normal" pain levels by now? It still hurts from the injection. (The surgeon who ordered the mylo didn't look at the injection site yesterday during my appointment; other things came up & I didn't have him look at it...)

2): The mylo showed that I have a mild? nerve root encroachment at the
S1/L5. A previous MRI showed the same thing. The surgeon had suggested a minor procedure where he shaves down the bone a little to give the nerve more room. But now when I tell him that his previous recent selective nerve block didn't help the pain that much, he won't do the surgery now! The nerve block didn't help right away; it took 2-3 days to kick in, and then I got about 2 days pain relief from it -and I didn't get the chance to tell him that. He seems to think it should have helped right away; therefore no surgery now.
--Isn't the delayed relief enough relief to show that surgery IS warranted? The place where I have the encroachment refers pain to the left butt, which is where I have my pain, so isn't the surgery warranted?
-- I'm trying to contact the surgeon again after the holidays; I'm upset that now he won't consider surgery. No other treatment has worked; I want the surgery. (I had successful C-Spine surgery 7 years ago when nothing else worked.)

Sorry this became so long -
- Hilary

[Tootsie]

Hilary,
At your first opportunity, sit down and write a letter to the doctor who didn't want to do the surgery, and tell him/her, exactly what you have told us. Doing this will let you give all the details, that may have been omitted during your visit. You can edit, re-write and refine your description of the pain and discomfort, until you are sure that you have covered it all.

This type of communication with a doctor, has the immediate effect of letting you relax knowing that your letter is in the mail. Anything that appears handwritten or personal to a doctor's office is probably sorted out from the usual type of junk advertisements that the office receives routinely.
It also puts the burden on them, to reach you either by telephone or letter!

It also gives the doctor the advantage of reading, re-reading and thoughtfully considering what you have written. He may review your chart, research journals and professional literature before contacting you.

I used this very successfully with my pediatrician when I had a concern that involved detailed events and observations over a perios of time. Cheerio.

[Boopers]

Hi Hilary,

I totally agree with Tootsie. The best thing you can do, is write to your doctor. He needs to know what you have told us. Then he can take that information and study it and you will probably get the surgery.

I wish the best for you.
Linda