An old friend dropped in 5-6 weeks
ago and has stayed ever since. A back ache set in and has frustrated me to a
breaking point. It’s also led to more visits to a doctor than anyone could
stand.
During the first doctor’s
appointment, the MD told me the problem was “billfold butt,” something we men
suffer from as we ride a several-inch thick leather square in our back pockets.
With that diagnosis, he sent me home with an anti-inflammatory and the promise
of an impending shot of steroids in the hip area as the next step of treatment.
Magically, the pain in my right hip
disappeared, but unfortunately, another appeared in my left one, and it hung
around 24/7. So, I traveled back to the doctor with the report of new
developments. He wasn’t pleased about things and said the movement wasn’t
necessarily a good thing. I agreed since the “discomfort” started in my lower
back and went down my “bottom” and back of my leg and then made a turn around
the front of my shin. I knew by the time I was sitting in the waiting room that
my old friend “ a slipped disc” had made another appearance.
The next appointment was scheduled
for an MRI. Over the years I’ve had between 8-10 for back problems. However,
only the first two were in “closed” units. The feeling of being shoved into a
garbage can where my breath hit the side, bounced off, and hit me in the face
and the banging that sounded as if someone were playing the drums on the side
of a can freaked me out. I was so claustrophobic that just the thought of
sliding into the thing had me in a panic. Now, I go to a place that has an open
MRI. It’s not much better, but at least a patient can see out the sides. ]
Only a couple of days later I was
back at the doctor’s office for the results. The physician’s assistant came in
and apologized. It seems that the orders were incorrectly written and the MRI
was of my thoracic spine instead of the lumbar area. So, I would need to have a
second imaging done. That meant another appointment for and MRI and then back
to the doctor for results.
As I left the PA and approached the
checkout desk, the clerk told me that I should remit my $50 co-pay.
Incredulous, I stared at her and then told her I didn’t think it was fair that
I had to pay for an appointment where the doctor tells me that his staff has
made a mistake that results in my having to have another test. She indicated
that I would be billed, at which point I told her that would be fine. I decided
to let “Bulldog Amy” take care of any bill that came.
My wonderful wife had taken off
work for the first test, so I asked a good friend to take me to the second one.
I needed a ride since beforehand I downed a couple of Xanax to calm my nerves
and my driving was problematic. This time I made sure the MRI was performed on
the right area.
Yesterday, I called the doctor for
results. They hadn’t been sent yet, nearly a week later. However, the doctor
scheduled another appointment and promised to have the results when I got
there.
I know what
the diagnosis is; at least I’m pretty sure that I’ve got another ruptured disc.
Right now, I want to know and then I want some medicine that will help me get
through the pain for the next 3-4 months. After vacations and more golf and
yard mowing and summer activities, I’ll see about taking care of the problem. I
just hope I don’t have too many appointments when that time comes.
UPDATE—Results are in.. Herniated disc at L4/5 and some at
L6. Also another herniated disc on right side instead of “billfold butt.”
UH-OH! Not a good report!
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