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[ghost_light]

Okay - I went to the Doc to hear about what the fuck is up with my back and I left more confused than when I went in..

When last we left my poor back the MRI was showing a small midline protrusion and some narrowing of the discs. There was also concern it might be Titsze syndrome because of the rib involvement or something else in the rheumatism family.

What did we learn today?

The protrusion is old. Possibly as much as 20 years old. We know that because the bone scan is clear. Strike one off the list

The odds of it being Titsze syndrome are very small. We can't rule it out, but the fact it goes "fuck, my rib....fuck my back....fuck my rib" with periodic outbursts of "Fuck! Both!" instead of it being "Fuck! Both!" all the time means there is about a 3% chance that that is the culprit. Strike 2 off the list.

So what is it? You tell me. The Doc sure wasn't clear. Okay, no, that's unfair. The joints are inflamed and pissed off at me so I got a cocktail of lanocane and cortisone to the 3 most tender areas. The lanocane is supposed to numb it out short-term (still waiting for that), tonight will be painful and by tomorrow I'm supposed to remember that I can't lift more than 20 pounds and keep taking it easy because I'll feel invincible. If that is not the case or if it wears off within 5 days, then they will go in surgically to inject more steroids. In the meantime he wants me to head to the gym and use the rowing machine. I was good, I didn't laugh in his face. I did ask about staying in physical therapy and it was His turn to be good and not laugh in my face. He said therapy tends to be too passive - electro-stim, ultrasound etc. and what I need to work on is strengthening my muscles. I'm going back to my therapist.

Also - I just spotted the MRI reading sheet left in my charts. It lists marked narrowing in 3 places and endplate irregularities in several places which Doc and I didn't talk about this time. Bet your ass we are at my next follow-up.

That is my back. Now continue with your day.

Comments

[geolinguist.livejournal.com]

*careful hugs*

[magnoliasouth.livejournal.com]

Radiating pain perhaps? Did he talk to you about radiating pain? Though in all honesty it seems unlikely. If you have some narrowing and any 'irregularities,' some of the pain could be from a nerve.

I hope they figure this out for you and can fix it. I'm so sorry. *hugs*

[ghost-light.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Thanks. No talk of radiating pain, except a friend suggesting that might be why my PT exercises are hurting my shoulder. I have a lot of questions (and apparently a gorgeous bruise down my back from the shot)

[loesaurus.livejournal.com]

Rowing? Um yeah. Go back to your therapist. He/She will have a much better idea of what you are capable of. I agree that doing some sort of exercise is a great idea, because it actually seems to have been helping me, but I'm not sure rowing is the answer. Hmmm. Do you happen to take glucosamine, by any chance? I take it now, and I don't know how much it's helped but it sure hasn't hurt.

[ghost-light.livejournal.com]

I don't take that, but I am about ready to try anything. Yeah, my back is not ready for rowing - I had my wall push-ups taken away in Jan and I've not been un-inflamed or strong enough to get them back since.

The more I read, the more the things spotted in the MRI point to a serious injury decades ago (which I didn't have). I'm starting to wonder if I should talk to someone else..

[loesaurus.livejournal.com]

If you are uncomfortable with what your doc is (or is not) telling you - I would seek a second opinion. I'm too lazy to go back and check, but did they test you for RA antibodies?

[ghost-light.livejournal.com]

Nope, no blood tests.

[loesaurus.livejournal.com]

When my back stuff started, I was feeling really crappy and my BP was high so my PA did a full blood panel just to rule out RA and lupus and thyroid and stuff like that. Fortunately there was nothing wrong there, but do any of your symptoms fit the profile for RA?

[ghost-light.livejournal.com]

I don't know - I was thinking that might be what it is from this last appt. before I got the info from the Doc just because there is warmth and swelling, but I guess the MRI ruled some of that out?

[loesaurus.livejournal.com]

I don't have any idea what an MRI might show as far as that goes, but maybe he'd be willing to order bloods just to rule it out?

[ladymcclellan.livejournal.com]

Good Lord! That sounds like it might be time for a new doc! I'm so sorry, and I hope you find a way to feel better soon.

Jan on the rowing machine...I can't picture that. (evil grin, well i can, but I see you making fun of yourself while doing it.)

[ghost-light.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I' rather enjoying the thought of that too.