9 December 2011, 11:34 am
I'm trying to locate a good Pain Doctor/Clinic. I missed the landing ramp on a dirt bike jump about 25 years ago and have had problems with back pain ever since. I have seen a "Pain Specialist" who performed Facet Blocks and Epidurals using Steroids injected into my back, which were helpful for a few days on the Blocks and longer on the Epidurals; but they never put me in full relief to where I could sleep through a whole night. Being that I only have Medicare for Insurance, the benefit vs. the cost was far from being 'Worth It." Surgery has also been discussed for relief of my pain. I have known 3 co-workers, when I was still able to work, and 1 family member who had back surgery and 3 out of the 4 said "ABSOLUTELY DO NOT DO IT", with reasons ranging from "it made the problem worse" to "it caused new problems that they didn't have before the surgery and didn't take care of the original problem either"; and the 4th said "sometimes she's glad she did it and other times she's sorry that she did it". Plus, the one family member who had it done was my late Father who asked me to promise him "that I would never have surgery on my back unless it was to save my life or to prevent paralysis", (If I had another accident or something like that.) I was seeing a doctor in Texas where the accident happened; who kept my pain under control with mild pain medications, muscle relaxers, and Valium, but I was a lot younger and in better physical shape than I am now. (It sucks getting older.) After moving back to Michigan, I went to another Dr. who alternated me from Fentanyl Patches (Duragesic) changed every other day, to a Morphine and Valium combination when the Fentanyl would quit working. Then back to the Fentanyl when the Morphine/Valium quit. That seemed to me to be the most effective; but the guy retired and I couldn't get anyone to help me out after that except to offer the steroid treatments. The withdrawal was horrific. So, someone I met recommended that I go to a Methadone Clinic, which I thought was something only for Heroin addicts. To make a long story short, I have been on Methadone since 1989. The Methadone provides relief for only a few hours after I take my daily dose, so I take it just before I go to bed. I'm sick of having to drive 50 miles to go to the clinic once a week to get my weekly takeouts and having to pay $200 a month for what Medicare doesn't cover; especially since I'm on a fixed income from Social Security Disability which is better than nothing, but leaves you in the "Poverty Level" category. I have a 2-1/2 yr. old MRI report; part of which is quoted as follows; L5 - S1: "Central disc protrusion with abutment of the S1 nerve roots, right greater than left." L4 - L5: "Broad based diffuse disk bulge more focal right para-centrally with slight displacement of the right L5 nerve root. Mild central canal stenosis." L3 - L4: "Diffuse disk bulge which is eccentric towards the left foramen where it abuts the left L3 nerve root." I'm not sure of all of the Medical Terminology definitions but I think it says "He's got a little bit of a problem in his lower back.". I only know for certain that I am in extreme pain in my lower back and down both of my legs 18 to 20 hours each day. I got a referral to the doctor that is in my question (Dr. Byung C. Rhee), and would like to know if anyone has seen him, if he provides pain medication instead of steroid injections, or am I just going to be wasting my time again. Please help if you know the answer; or if you know of a doctor in the Southwest Michigan (Battle Creek or Kalamazoo area) who can prescribe meds for my relief. You would be giving me the best Christmas Present that I have had in my life, and I want to thank you in advance for helping me out if you can. I also want to thank any one that took the time to read my question. Best wishes to you all.... Read More »
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