Found out the Neuro appointment was a joke......

[lesmom]

Hello all,
Yesterday I went to my regular doctor because I was having back pain that was in the right kidney area and would go around to the front sometimes. The pain had been on and off for the past few weeks. I was told to drink lots of water because it could be kidney stones. If the pain comes back and stays I'll have to go in right away to see whats going on. So all is well there and I am feeling better with that. So luckily no infection. =)
My frustration though comes from going through my neuro report. Thank goodness the neuro send the results from my last MRI and visit in Feb to my dr or I would have not known anything. Yesterday I found out that the neuro had diagnosed me with Raynard's. The neuro NEVER said anything about it, let alone told me what to do for it. My doctor said this is a problem we can hopefully help with BP meds until I get into the rheumy in July. I also found out that I have a bulged disk and some degeneration. Why couldn't the neuro told me this info? My doctor spent 45 minutes with me yesterday going through everything and re examining me. He also gave me a sample of Ultram ER 200mg to try for the pain. Are any of you on this med? How does it make you feel? I'm a little nervous about the BP med- Nifedipin- because I already have low BP and it drops when I get sick. I'm on a low dose, but I don't want to black out while I'm driving or at work. But I really like the idea of my hands and feet not tingling and feeling numb all of the time. My doctor said my blood work was in normal ranges the 1st time back in August of last year, but he questioned why none of them were repeated by the neuro since my symptoms were worse. Thank goodness I have this doctor to help me. I sure hope the rheumy is good, no she needs to be great. I want to feel good, and not blah, dizzy, tired, tingly, numb, ouchy.........the list goes on..................
Thanks for letting me vent.
Bless you all. '
Leslie
Yes- I am drinking tons of water to ward of kidney stones if that is what it is! lol

[cinmac]

Hi, I am on ultram (generic tramadol) .  The extended relief products gave me headaches so I asked for the pills in 50mg tab generics and take several hours apart.  I am  on a bit bigger dosage than u-300 usuall in a day, but it works well and doesn't make me sleepy like opiads do.

I always get copies of my records and read them.  Have found many things, some important, that the doc has "forgotten" to mention.  Don't know if they rush too much, have their own comfort zone, or just want u out the door in the alloted 10 mins.  If you find a term you don't undertand there is good info online but be sure to find a reputable site like NIH.

Hope this helps.

Have a great day.

cinmac

[Scottietottie]

Hi Leslie 

Thank good ness your GP is a good one and prepared to go over stuff with you. Goodness only knows why the neuro didn't tell you! Seems very odd and also unprofessional.

I've been taking Tramadol for over 3 years now, after I was told I couldn't take NSAIDs anymore - and codeine makes me depressed!  I take 100mg slow release tramadol twice a day and it doesn't make me sick or dizzy. I always take it with food in the morning but not in the evening. I usually have some food in me by then though.

I'm glad you don't have a kidney infection. I hope you don't have stones but at least you're being monitored now. I'm gl;ad you went to your doc.

Take care - Scottie 

[Nathan]

I've been on Tramadol 50mg for a few months now due to an NSAID-induced ulcer. It works wonders, and it takes care of pain that NSAIDs wouldn't. I have not seen any major side effects. Only one minor side effect, and I doubt it would hit you.

[lesmom]

Thank you, very much for the insight on the Ultram. Cinmac you're right- I should get copies of the dr. reports/ I've learned my lesson there!
I feel tired and a bit dizzy today, but my ankles don't hurt like they normally do, so I hope we are moving in the right direction.

Thanks again,
Leslie

[KYMOM]

Leslie, Dealing with Docs is hard and specialists are even harder.  You wait longer to see them, pay a premium and hope they can answer your questions and help you find answers.  My regular Doc sent me to a Neuro to test for neuropathy.  The Neuro told me that my test showed a slight chance.  Glad it wasn't a pregnancy test.  Slight?  That's good advice to make sure that you have copies of all of your tests. 
Roxanne

[Epson]

I agree, good idea to always get a copy of all reports, that's how I found out that I had an ovarian cyst.  The only man with an ovarian cyst should put me in some kind of record book.

[JannaLee]

And how much did that Neurologist charge for the visit?

You can be sure he charges a higher hourly rate than your GP.

Thank heaven's he informed SOMEONE about his findings! 

It seems a brilliant medical mind is often paired with antisocial personality.  So the guy can figure out what's wrong, he just cant tell you!

Probably getting copies of everything is the way to go!

Janna

[lesmom]

Wow, Epson. Now that would be a finding. Did you call Ripley's? LOL

It is hard to believe that doctors like this can have such a  successful practice. I'm not ready to face a life full of pain. I've got way to much stuff to do and he has already taken enough time away from me. I guess it was really no skin off his back. He did get a nice payment on his Beamer from me I'm sure. Another thing in the neuro report- they had my ob/gyn down as my main doctor and I had told them at least 4 times that was not who was my primary care dr. At least they sent the info to the right dr.

So for now its a lot of reading and research!
Thank you all so much for your insight and input- so glad I found you all in this website