MRI help - not sure where to post...

Jaime, I hope this isn't isn't too blunt and intrusive; but didn't you just get your inheritence this summer? I know this is none of my business and you don't have to respond to this, but if your dad is on the brink of foreclosure on his home, why is he paying your bills?

I completely understand wanting to get the best rate you can, and most doctors in DFW will give you a professional discount if you explain you don't have any health insurance.

In regards to a herniated disc, go to the WB Carrell Clinic on 75 around NW Highway. Ask to make an appointment with Dr. Andrew Dossett. If you google his name, you'll easily find his credentials: he is (literally) the best spinal doctor in US and one of the best in the world. When famous people have back injuries, he is the one who is called for media opinions/analysis, as well as being called by the patient for his care.

He's an awesome guy too, with great bedside manner.

I officially would recommend a chiro. Not just because my husband is one. But because they are great at pain from herniated disks. I can ask him in a bit to explain it better for you. (We're making cider from our apple trees) So he's a bit busy. But seriously. My old boss had 3 herniated disks. He didn't listen to anyone and went and got surgery and now his pain is worse than it began with. Which sadly is very common with that kind of surgery. He's now on Codeine and its not helping his pain b/c he's taken everything and it's stopped working.

But in a little bit I'll have my DH come and explain how they help with disk problems. Sorry you're going through it. It does suck!

Hi Jaime,

I read your thread and absolutely had to reply. I am a physician assistant in rehab hospital and see patients with this problem all the time. Let me offer some free medical advice, take it or leave it. First having an MRI done is really not necessary. If you already know you have a herniated disc (which it does sound like based on your brief history) getting the MRI is not going to change things. You really don't want surgery......1) you're too young 2) surgery is always you're last resort 3) it doesn't sound like you have tried Physical therapy (which is absolutely necessary) and you are not on any antiinflammatories, at least you didn't mention any, Ultram is simply a pain med. Ibuprofen is an antiinflammatory and available over the counter.

You would be better off saving your money for physical therapy in an outpatient setting rather than wasting it on an MRI. Has your pain clinic doctor tried an epidural steroid injection,(ESI)...this is another option but you still need to do some therapy and strenghtening exercises. Unfortunatley you need the MRI first to do this. Many people respond well to ESI's, it decreases the inflammation surrounding the irritated spinal nerves). I don't know that I would recommend a chirpractor either, most can be expensive and require more than one visit. By the way how did you get diagnosed with the disc herniation, have you had any previous xrays, etc.?

Unless you're having bowel and bladder incontinence or significant weakness in your legs, then I would say the likelihood of having spinal cancer or some other "zebra" is not likely. If you are worried however simple blood tests which are cheaper than an MRI could help, i.e. CBC with diff, BMP, ESR, and CRP. An elevation in a CRP or ESR could indicate some significant inflammatory response going on and prompt further tests.

Seriously Jaime, don't get the MRI, try some of the above options first. I am surprised that your pain clinic doctor hasn't offered any of these modalities for you. I have had my fair share of injuries(tendonitis, bursitis of the hip, neck sprain) to name a few and the best thing that worked for me was physical therapy. Also a nice moist heating pad at home goes a long way. Just be patient and don't do any extensive exercise until this has improved. I hope things inprove for you it sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Just

try to be patient, these things do not go away overnite, even if you did have a surgical procedure.

Heather

Hi Jamie!

This is Cali's husband, I just wanted to give you some advice from the chiropractic side of things. Before I get started, I wanted to state that I agree with a lot of the things that Nitnylyin1 wrote, and I really dont want to start any kind of arguments.

Most chiropractors have specific adjustments that target the disc itself, and can help give the disc more room so that it doesn't interfere with the nerves as much. It will also help to improve the motion between the vertebra that are attached to the discs, and help to prevent the problem from getting worse in the future.

I agree that surgery should be a last resort, and only after you have exhausted all of your other (more natural, less invasive) options. Physical therapy can also help to give you a lot of relief, as well as the anti-inflammatory medication. I disagree with the heating pad though, as it will bring inflammatory cells into the area which can increase muscle spasm and increase pain. Heat can also cause inflammation in the joints, which will decrease motion and increase irritation on the nerve. I would instead try ice for the next few weeks. Put it directly over the area for 20 minutes every hour. The ice will help remove the inflammatory cells from the area, and help the muscles to relax.

I would also argue about the expense of chiropractic vs other options. You can start to feel relief immediately with proper chiropractic care, and be nearly symptom free after 6-12 visits. I know this because I've seen it before in patients I've treated. I personally charge $50 per adjustment, so with chiropractic you'd be looking at 300-600 dollars. I also work with people that cant afford the care that they need. I trade people for paintings or other hobbies that they like to do, set up payment plans, and just give away free care. I know that most chiropractors will also work with you to get you the care that you need for the price you can afford to pay.

One warning about chiropractors however. There are MANY different techniques, so sometimes it is hard to find a chiropractor doing the techniques that would work for you. Call ahead and ask about the techniques that the doctor favors, and what they normally do for your condition. Shop around, and make sure that you find somebody that you can work with.

Are there different positions that you can put your body in that give you any relief? Sometimes bending backwards will take pressure off of the nerve and give a lot of relief. See if bending in any direction increases or decreases your pain and symptoms down the legs.

Hope that this helps, and if you need anything else, let me know!

Dr. Tony

Hey J,

Ain't my DH cute as a Dr. Haha. I also wanted to add that my sis worked for a Chiro in the colony so if you need recommendations for Chiro's near you I could probably find some for you. We're also headed to Dallas for Christmas even though that's really far away we could meet for drinks and talk. My hubby can't treat you obviously not being licensed in Texas.

I wanted to reinforce that drugs just mask the symptoms and don't treat the main cause. And yes chiro takes a few visits but so does any other doctor you go too. Even pt. And for cost my DH gives adjustments to this lady and she's painting a huge mountain scene for our house which I'm excited. And another lady does massages. So I'm sure you can find a chiro that will trade. I hope the pain stops soon and you can find something that helps. If you need anything else feel free to pm me. I get it straight to my phone so I can help anytime of the day. And DH just said if you want to call and talk with him you're more than welcome to pm me.

Cali

Thanks for the advice ladies (and Dr. Tony!). Already one step ahead of y'all with the chiropractor thing We have a friend who is a great chiro so I left her a msg. last night letting her know what's going on. Just received her msg. back and she said she def can help. But she will need an MRI just to know exactly where it is located and the extent of the injury.

And I def get that the meds only mask the pain. I have started taking Ibuprofen as well (my doc recommended adding something like this as well). It doesn't help with the pain much but for the anti-inflammatory properties I guess I'll take that. My FI has a specific prescription strength med that I *think* is just used for anti-inflammatory purposes..?? He said to ask my doc about that as well.

I have been wondering about the heat vs. cold issue.

I'm also on a TENS unit to help treat the pain as well. I'm definitely out there to get to the root of all of this and hopefully get off these pain meds (ibuprofen included)...

I haven't read any of the other answers but I know there is a place in Granbury that does MRI's and they take payments on them. I think you pay like ten percent up front then the rest is made in payments. I can try to find more info if you are interested!

Yay!! That's great to hear. I hope you can get in to see her soon!! I was about to say that there is a chiro school in Denton and they probably have clinics too. But I'm glad you already have one.

Thanks Kat I will check it out