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From: era@ncar.ucar.edu (Ed Arnold)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: NEED ADVICE
Message-ID: <12127@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 1 Jun 90 13:07:54 GMT
References: <12104@bunker.UUCP>
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Reply-To: era@ncar.ucar.edu (Ed Arnold)
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Fidonet: Chronic Pain

Index Number: 8559

In article <12104@bunker.UUCP> Bob.Johnstone@f227.n103.z1.fidonet.org writes:
>Index Number: 8537
>
>[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference on Fidonet]
>
>First, I would go back and insist upon another X-Ray, if you dont
>feel that you are getting what you  paid for, even if it is
>necessary pay for it again.  Even if it is necessary to pay for ONE
>visit to a specialist, it might even be best to have that
>individual do the X-Ray.

It was my understanding (having been told so by a Physician's Assistant)
that, with regard to back damage involving disk compression or rupture
and nerve pinching: an x-ray will not really show a complete picture
of these (relatively soft) tissues.  An MRI or CAT scan will be required
to show details of the damage.  Anyone know if this is true?

>Whenever I go to a physicial, I remember, all doctors do not
>graducate at the top of their class.

Humor digression: that reminds me of the best medical joke I've
heard this year:

Q. What do you call a person who graduated last in his/her medical class?

A. "Doctor."

>Get at
>LEAST three or four opinions on this surgery from qualified
>individuals.

Good advice.  If I were considering a laminectomy or spinal fusion, I
would take the Good Housekeeping approach and take it one step
further:  have your closest med school run a computer search of the
literature under "laminectomy", "spinal fusion", etc.  They should be
able to do this for less than $50, unless they're really
money-grubbers.  Then call around the country to these top people and
ask them who THEY would use in your state if they were having the
operation.  Several references to the same doctor is probably a
good indicator.
--
Ed Arnold * NCAR * POB 3000, Boulder, CO 80307-3000 * 303-497-1253(w)
era@ncar.ucar.edu [128.117.64.4] * era@ncario.bitnet * era@ncar.uucp
"See, the human mind is kind of like ... a pinata.  When it breaks open,
there's a lot of surprises inside."	--Jane Wagner/Lily Tomlin