Her 8-month Struggle with a Herniated Disc: Navigating a Broken Healthcare System

[@leeleeirv1270]

Thank you for using your skills to help those with little to no help. 👏👏👏

[@BestPracticeHealth]

Awh! Thanks for noticing. And you are most definitely welcome.

[@jessi2997]

Sir, I sat in tears looking at this. You are an angel. I am in so much pain and my insurance has treated me the same. It is close to a year and I still do not have a proper diagnosis. I have been to the ER multiple times. Please help 🙏

[@BestPracticeHealth]

I am so sorry to hear that you are suffering. It sounds like you've endured over a year of nonspecific low back pain without a proper diagnosis, and your insurance has been a significant barrier to getting the help you need. Your situation is heartbreaking, and unfortunately, you're not alone in facing these challenges. I wholeheartedly agree with the approach of prioritizing a proper diagnosis first. Without a clear understanding of the underlying issue, effective treatment is nearly impossible. However, I must express my concern about your medical team. After a year, your doctors should have made a compelling case to your insurance provider regarding the necessity of specific tests and treatments. Nonspecific low back pain typically follows a 12-week treatment cycle. If you're off-track by a year, it's crucial to determine your current position on this timeline. Have you had an X-ray? If not, that should be a priority. Physical therapy is also essential and should have been explored. For spinal issues, a good diagnosis is established through a combination of your symptoms, physical examination, and imaging. I recommend watching my playlist on nonspecific low back pain. It can help you understand the common causes of the pain you're experiencing. At the very least, it will empower you to communicate your symptoms effectively and become a knowledgeable advocate for your healthcare. If you find it challenging to navigate this process on your own, I am more than willing to assist you. Please consider submitting a video question via the homepage of my Best Practice Health TV site. I would be more than happy to meet with you and discuss your situation in detail. Remember, everyone deserves help when they're sick or in pain, and that includes you. A year is far too long to suffer without a proper diagnosis, and I genuinely hope you find the answers and relief you deserve.

[@jessi2997]

@@BestPracticeHealth thank you kindly for your reply. I submitted a video yesterday my name is Jessica Salgado. I have 2 little ones Sir I must care for and my heart breaks for them because I am always in pain. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. 🙏

[@no2thenwo737]

Thank you. I really appreciate the time taken to make these informative videos. The other videos on Best Practice Health have given me a much needed insight into my bilateral stenosis, etc, that I have never received from a neuro/orthopedic surgeons. My many GP's over the years won't even look at my x-rays.

[@lainniecashman94]

Thank you! I have Kaiser here in Georgia and it is taking me 4 months to get to see a top notch neurosurgeon at Emory. I have a sequestered disc fragment pressing in an area that is pushing on the nerve. I've walked with a walker for months due to instability of my leg and pain. Hopefully I will get relief soon, I see the neurosurgeon in 5 days.

[@BestPracticeHealth]

Hang in there! Call the office an tell them you will take any cancellation if you have not already. I hope you get the care you need ASAAP! Emory has a great reputation!

[@savedbygrace745]

I have Georgia Kaiser also and have issues. Can you please tell me if you got seen by Emory. I can't seem to get anywhere.

[@petermark9660]

I also had to wait quite a while for an appointment. I waited 7 months to see a top notch surgeon. Then 4 months more for surgery.

[@James-li8ky]

Dude i can’t hardly walk from slow onset cauda equina syndrome i believe and I can’t even get an MRI!?!? They wanted physical therapy BEFORE AND MRI and I told them I can’t do it in not able to do anything basically without severe pain especially in the mornings or after I lay down for a while. Its like sciatica plus sone kind of like pressure/fluid pain in lower spine. Im going on 4-6 years of this now and everytime I go to a doctor (I’ve tried several of them) and Whatever I say no matter how hard I try it’s the same routine, draw blood, ANOTHER x-ray x3, and maybe muscle relaxers one time, physical therapy another and just in origin this last time? I’ve spoken to a lot of other people and EVERYONE of them agree that it’s the cauda equina syndrome? Which from my understanding is an emergency situation right?? 😢😢 I’m almost in tears writing this bc I CANNOT get a simple MRI just to properly diagnose this problem and get it fixed I read it can and will cause tumors and cancer etc. I don’t want to die bc I couldn’t get an image done to show what’s really going on.

[@BestPracticeHealth]

Yikes. This needs to stop. Please consider coming on the show so we can look at your images together.

[@Preeti-lw9jc]

How are you now hope you're doing well ❤️‍🩹

[@sambadani4745]

You are a good doctor

[@BestPracticeHealth]

Thank you.

[@socjuslaw]

Thank you so much; this video is very helpful.

[@purushottamrana4796]

This doctor is so good. I have same issues like her. But I found good pain management dr in Kaiser

[@BestPracticeHealth]

Thanks for the comment. Who was the good doctor?

[@anitahendrix7573]

Just found your videos. Have subscribed. I am 80yo and have back problems since I worked at ohare on the ramp and lifting all you flyers overpacked bags. This was about 1977 have gone through therapy etc usually control with nsaids most everyday. Had a bad episode in August 2019 had X-ray's and then MRI they seemed very concerned so saw neurosurgeon. He didn't say much but did suggestions laminectomy and I told him would think about it. Well had another flareup Mar 2022 more X-ray's and they told me back is the same as in prior experience. Went to pain Dr and he did 2injections they did not help. So am controlling pain with OTC nsaids so far but it is really keeping me from my usual daily living such as gardening, walking my dogs and exercise.

[@BestPracticeHealth]

Thanks for subscribing! And thanks for all your hard work over the years; just think of how many lives you made better by helping people get to vacation, work, their family, etc. Since the surgeon recommended laminectomy it sounds like you have severe stenosis. It only gets worse. Check your surgeon's credentials and get treated ASAP if they are good.

[@KyDairyGoats]

Thank you for comments about weight and steroids. After her surgery when she feels better weight loss will come because she will feel like being active.

[@BestPracticeHealth]

You are welcome. Great point!

[@abdullahalshehri3892]

Thank you for making such helpful video. I have been battling this for over two years and really just getting more disappointed in the medical system. But I can’t keep up with the level of pain I have “adapted”. This gives me hope that hood docs exist. I am hopeful to find one for a consultation near where I live in Seattle. Thank you 🙏🏽

[@BestPracticeHealth]

Thank you for the comment! It's so easy to get frustrated with the health care system. I know I do. But it's not helpful. Hang in there. Get the care you deserve.

[@sirensong3556]

Hello Dr. I am so glad I found you. I am 59 year old female with spinal stenosis- I’ve had two fusions- c4-7 and L1 L 2, and L4 and 5- this was in 2016- I’m wondering what you think of RFA for pain relief? -

[@BestPracticeHealth]

RFA can be great! I think of the results as 80, 60, 10. Which is to say Sixty percent of people get 80% pain relief for an average of 10 months with RFA.

[@sirensong3556]

Hi Doctor- just an update- I’ve had two diagnostic MBBs the first one has completely taken away my awful leg pain so much so, that I had to ask the doctor if they put any steroids in. I’ve had great relief for 3 weeks .He assured me that no, there were no steroids in the diagnostic MBB. I went back today for round two and wanted some kind of explanation about why would I get so much relief from a numbing medication that is supposed to wear off within hours. He told me that a small percentage of people do react this way and if this second one works just as well, he might not have to do the ablation. I’m very happy about this and I’m hoping my pain will just continue to be better- so much better, I’m down to one pain pill a day- I still have pain, but if I’m able to walk without that excruciating leg pain, I call that a win. I just wanted to know if you have encountered this before . Thank you for your time, you are a true blessing.

[@CrochetCrime30]

I have had a very similar story. I would love to get your opinion about my MRI. My pain & tingling is getting worse. (Started last Nov). Oral steroids, PT, chiropractor, 2 epidurals & facet injection, etc, etc… I felt better when I saw neurosurgeon in July (post epidural). Said I would need a fusion if numbness tingling returns. Called this week and I can’t get appointment until end of October. Hx of anterior fusion/dissectomy of C-4-7 12/2011.

[@BestPracticeHealth]

I"m sorry to hear that, but I'd love to talk. Please submit your question by video here bestpracticehealth.tv/ and we will get back to you.

[@TheBebelass]

I so love this man, and learning so much from him, you sure don't want to visit Ireland, will treat you to some Guinness :) I hope this lady gets the right treatment.

[@BestPracticeHealth]

Thanks so much. I've always wanted to go to Ireland. I I'll take you up on that Guiness when I get there!

[@sbarwick687]

Would love to know how she’s doing now

[@nmkkannan1256]

I have my shoulders dislocated 10 days back, its was on the morning when I wake up from sleep found my left-hand paining and not able to move, it took 5 to 6 hours for the doctor to put it back. Again, next day which removing my tshirt for shower, I got it 2nd time, again fixed by the doctor. We have consulted a few doctors all of them recommended for a surgery that involves screws, one of the the doctors recommended to start with physiotherapy, as I have both anterior and posterior, even after the surgery I can get dislocated, and I have to get used to it. Is there any permanent solution for this problem? I have already started my physiotherapy

[@BestPracticeHealth]

I assume that you had an MRI and it showed a labral tear. That means you have repeat shoulder dislocation with labral tear and a doctor has recommended the Bankart procedure. That is the best known repair for this problem. Make sure you have it done by an orthopedic surgeon who is certified in sports medicine.

[@anitahendrix7573]

I have been watching a lot of your videos and have found them so informative. I would like to ask you have you any view on the ultrasonic procedure for stenosis of the low back?? A Dr in Florida seems to have great success with it and with that you don't need to have the laminectomy. Sure would like to give it a try before I do anything more invasive.

[@BestPracticeHealth]

There is now an ultrasounic actuator that replace the drill for laminectomy. However, this does not change the underlying surgery. The goal is still to decompression the spine. I can't speak for everyone, but here in Phoenix it looks like a marketing gimmick and not a legit technological advance.

[@angelenathompson744]

Me hernated slip disc bulging disc sciatica nerve pinched inje5 one nothing work

[@aaaaaaa2183]

IMPRESSION: *Bilateral lumbarisation of S1 vertebra *Paramedian and foraminal broad based protrusion at L5/S1 with indentationon thecal sac, both neural foramina and abutting the exiting nerve root. * Diffuse annular bulge at L4-L5 and S1-52 with indentation on thecal sac.. Screening of rest of the spine: *Loss of cervical lordosis *Screening of sacro-iliac joint appears normal. This my mri sir

[@aaaaaaa2183]

Iam from India sir

[@BestPracticeHealth]

Namaste. Nice to meet you. Lumbarization of the S1 vertebra is a common "anomaly" and should not be painful.

[@socjuslaw]

@@BestPracticeHealthMay I please do a consultation with you? Thank you.

[@mvp2503]

Good informative video. If I can ask doc, my situation is something similar, I have a l5 s1 extrusion herniated disk, but after epidural injection my Pain went away, but when do you think surgery is really needed..

[@BestPracticeHealth]

There are 3 reasons to have a microdiscectomy surgery. They are functionally limiting numbness or weakness or unbearable pain. Since your pain is gone after epidural if you do not have functionally limiting numbness or weakness then you likely do not need surgery. Your pain management doctor (who did the epidural) is a good resource to discuss these issues further.

[@DreamLiving-jx4pb]

Is hemilaminectomy same as microdisectomy ?

[@Mr.pink_]

About a month ago I suffered from pain in my lower back, a few days later I felt numbness in one of the toes on my right foot. The orthopedist gave me a very short physical examination on the spot and said that it was probably a bulging disc, he gave me an injection of what I think was steroids but I'm not sure and recommended a conservative treatment of rest and very moderate exercise. It's been a month since then and the finger is still numb, in terms of the back there is pain but really mild and mostly a feeling that something is wrong there. My leg has never hurt, certainly not as people describe, but the feeling of numbness does not go away and sometimes gets worse in the foot. My question is whether to continue with conservative treatment? Are performing stretches such as back extension, hanging on a bar, etc. really effective and release pressure from the spine? Can tools like a back stretcher and a back belt help in recovery? Thank you so much for everything you do I appreciate you.

[@BestPracticeHealth]

Hello! Sorry to hear you are having trouble. As I understand it you have numbness in one toe three to four weeks after an incident and fortunately all pain has resolved, and you've already seen a doctor. If the numbness is not functional, then you are fine to continue conservative care. Functional numbness means that if this were to become permanent then it would not really limit your life going forward. If the numbness if significant, then an MRI and repeat doctor visit would be next.

[@Mr.pink_]

@@BestPracticeHealth thank you 🙏

[@Laurierecovers]

sounds familiar.. Pain in groin for years. Finally going for injection.. I went years ago for a guided injection, seemed to help for a bit.. pain subsided into my foot.but, have been living with Groin pain feeling like it gives out randomly whenever it wants. No warning. Help.. 7 buldging discs throughout spine. Stenosis, Spondylitosis. Finally pain management suggests another injection. This time in my butt. Listening to this video, What if you have no more disc left?

[@BestPracticeHealth]

OK. But do not forget groin pain is often from the hip joint. Have you had a hip x-ray?

[@Laurierecovers]

@@BestPracticeHealth yes

[@ilikejelly7890]

I live in Scotland and wish you were my doctor. I have 8mm Chiari(which they have just told me I not getting surgery) . They are giving me surgery next month for C3 slip, C4 C5 C6 stenosis They are doing a laminectomy but fusion not mentioned although it was only quick phone call to say what they doing and when. Would u expect them to do fusion automatically or would there be a reason they wouldn't do it. ? Also I have very bad pain mid lower back, bottom, legs , feet, with tingling mild numbness , cramps . Can't stand for long, have to sit, but when I sit my nerve pain horrid , I am in a catch 22.I cant lie face down or any type of extension and no plantar flex with feet, bad cramps.Will I get relief in bottom half of body afterCervical decompression? .I did have injections in L5 S1 facet joints 8 years ago, didn't help but they say it mild but I want to cry daily Thank you for all you do . Michelle

[@BestPracticeHealth]

Oh, goodness. It sounds like you have cervical spondylotic myelopathy with severe stenosis. This is a very serious condition. Cervical laminectomy is the traditional treatment for severe cervical stenosis. Most neurosurgeons do not recommend ancillary fusion if there is no instability on flexion and extension x-ray done before the procedure. I'm sad to say the lower back pain is probably a different issue that may need to be evaluated separately once your neck is stable. Good luck with surgery. I am so glad you are taking good care of yourself; this is a very scary problem when its left untreated.

[@ilikejelly7890]

@BestPracticeHealth I had surgery today, they gave me ACDF. C3 /4 5/6 with plates. Hope it all helps. In a lot of pain , will be in hospital for few days. They say lower back mild degeneration but my pain not mild. Thank you for replying. Michelle

[@deborahdesanto2313]

Dr. I have an l4 l5 slipped disc, is a Nuerosergen or a Orthopedic surgeon better for this problem? 😊

[@BestPracticeHealth]

The individual is more important than the label. A fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon specializing in spine can both be excellent.

[@deborahdesanto2313]

Thank you Dr. 😊

[@lainniecashman94]

Yes! My pain management Dr looked at my MRI report and referred me immediately to neurosurgeon Dr Ahmed Faiz. He looked at my MRI and scheduled me for immed surgery.

[@BestPracticeHealth]

I really hope you get immediate relief. Most patients can expect to wake up without the radiating pain. It’s not always that way! But often. Please let me know how you do. Good luck.

[@GameChanger-ep3tf]

Hello sir i have c4-c5 and c5-c6 disc bulge the mri basically statest - Disc bulge is seen at C4-5 and C5-6 levels indenting the anterior epidural space. I have dizziness while walking also i have a lot of fatigue also some pain in my left arm and left leg, the disc is not pressing on nerve for now and the mri says normal curvature of spine is lost but the dosctor says its not too much that it will cause fatigue or dizziness as i am only 23, i also have tinnitus in my right ear also i have pain in on my left side of neck is it possible that all these things are because of the 2 bulging disc and the fatigue is because the 2 disc cant suppport my neck enough or is the reason something else, if the reason is something else what it can be and if it is due to disc bulge can it heal, i am very depressed sir the symptoms keep on increasing from past january all other things like vertebrae, ligaments are normal, please help sir save me sir please, i have had been to multiple doctors no results🙏🙏

[@BestPracticeHealth]

You have so much going on for such a young person! I'm sorry you have to deal with all this. Tinnitus is from your middle ear. Make sure you stop all caffeine, including coffee, tea, and chocolate, before going on. Your neck sounds like it's mechanically solid. You've got this! Hang in there and follow your doctor's directions.

[@bilkis558]

Wht the hell he is doing ,she is saying sad history n his 😂

[@BestPracticeHealth]

Hmmmm. Other people being sad makes me sad, too. In this video I was trying to cheer her up and get the right care. Does that make sense?