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View Full Version : Frustration Level on HIGH!


Lee555
11-12-2007, 11:35 PM
What's the deal with this crap going on anyway. I go to a physiatrist today and show him the problems going on, and tell him aobut the spasms in the neck, back and what it does to the left arm and leg (they go numb, dead and shocky) and they say nothing can do nada. All this hedges on one freaking EMg done 6 months ago and the assumption that nothing but simple cervical strain happened in the accident.

What he did to me was also pretty rediculous too. I said I couldn't shrug my left shoulder so what does he do?? He puts his hands on each upper arm and pushes up. See, he says, you got them up. Uhhhh, sure, but I didn't put it there, you did. He tests the strength of the big toe on the left, and it's like a 2 on a scale of 1-10. I tell him about how an ice pack feels like fire on my skin and he says this is normal? What the hell is normal about it?

So what happens in 6 months when it's all the same way as it is now, and the shoulder is withered and skinny? If this is an incomplete SCI, what is going on, they blacklisting me because I got this way from a car accident or are they all just treating me like an hysterical middle-aged woman? Because this is going to make me hysterical. This has got me so pissed off I can barely think straight when it comes to mind.

Edited: I forgot to mention, I asked how I was going to get the arm and leg functioning again and he tells me to join a gym or take up swimming. When I left PT back in June the therapist was concerned then as to why the arm wasn't getting better but getting worse. Personally, I am thinking they (the doctors) are hanging me out to dry.

bob clark
11-13-2007, 06:47 AM
Hi Lee,

Sorry to hear about your numbness and other problems. I suggest that you find another physiatrist, one who is willing to listen, understand and help you. Hopefully your injury won't turn painful.

Where I live there aren't any physiatrists within 45 miles. I hope you can find another one in your area. I don't think you're a hysterical middle-aged woman, just someone looking for some good medical attention, treatment and relief.

Bob.

firesmurf
11-13-2007, 08:18 AM
i totally agree with bob here.thats a really sick doc.my physiatrist has been amazing at explaining all about'the new me".he sounds like he really soesn't know or give a crap about what he is doing.there ARE much better ones out there,trust me on that.i would have a chat with your primary and see what you two can come up with.my primary has also been wonderful about sending me to other neurosurgeons when the other two i saw were too stupid for words.it is your primarys job to go to bat for you in this type of situation.you DO deserve better and also to know just what the actual damage is to your own spinal cord and the results of that.SCI,espescially incomplete can be sooo incredibly far reaching and effect soo many things,even having the ability to bear weight sends my body into some really insane situations.you just really need to know where you are at here,and it ain't gonna happen with this knob you have for a physiatrist.i do wish you luck with this Lee,please keep us posted.Marcia

Lee555
11-13-2007, 08:19 PM
The problem comes in about the car accident. And it seems doctors around here have been burned in the past it seems by hysterical women faking their issues. The only recourse I have at this point is to not take any medication when the next muscle tonicity episode comes along. The last time I went to the ER they stuck me in a back room/bed and only gave me a shot of painkiller and muscle relaxer and sent me on my way. Cost me $400.00 for that. My deductable at the beginning of the year. I even asked for a neurologist to examine me. They wouldn't do it. Anyway I told this to my PCP and she said the next time I have one tell the ER doctor to call her and she'll order an EEG and a neurologist to come down. The problem with this is that I have terrible pain during this and I can barely stand to even deal with it for the time it takes to get medication into me.

The next nearest physiatrist is probably 75 miles away. And there isn't any guarantee that they'll see me. They might have the same attitude about the car accident.

Lee555
11-13-2007, 08:19 PM
Sorry, dupe post.

firesmurf
11-14-2007, 08:05 AM
i am just wondering why a car accident would be a problem as far as you obtaining appropriate treatment?is ther some litigation involved or what?i am just confused(not unusual for me),could you explain that a bit better?thanks,Marcia

Lee555
11-14-2007, 08:40 AM
i am just wondering why a car accident would be a problem as far as you obtaining appropriate treatment?is ther some litigation involved or what?i am just confused(not unusual for me),could you explain that a bit better?thanks,Marcia

I do have an attorney who is dealing with the process, because my hubby and I certainly don't know how to do this thing. You know even Barnes hospital and Mayo will not see anyone in their neuro dept. if there is an attorney involved with them. This is something I am going to check out today regarding the ethics of refusing testing to rule out problems. I feel like I really need to start complaining to more people than this resident about my problems. What really bothers me is not being taken seriously. This is killing me.