Sometimes starting over with a new gp can give a fresh perspective.

[airplane]

Like most of us on this site, we have been flipped through the medical community with endless tests and no answers. I found out accidentally from a CT that I had a defect at L4 L5 and a grade 3 hernia. Drs would ask me if my back hurt and when I said “no” they just focused on the rectal pain.

I finally took matters into my own hands and went to a chiropractor and had back exrays done. My

lower back is a mess. I took the exrays to my gp who didn’t really react in a way I was expecting. I found out by accident that my gp was seeing the same chiropractor for his own back. So I called out my gp, saying how could you have missed the CT finding showing this defect when you too have back issues? He didn’t like me challenging him of course and suggested that maybe I needed a new gp if I wasn’t happy with him. So I did.

The first visit with a new gp was impressive. I showed her the back exrays and she told me I needed to see a back surgeon and put in a rec for a stat consult with any surgeon in my area. She was horrified that this major defect had been missed.

The lesson I have learned is the old addige of get a second opinion no matter what kind of dr you are seeing. I trusted my gp too much. If I hadn’t gone out looking for answers on my own and knew how to read a CT report who knows where I would be now.

The last thing I want is back surgery. I feel like maybe I am on the right track to fixing my back and the rectal pain which are associated.

The back surgeon will have answers and some tools that may help.

If back surgery is necessary, I will have to weigh the odds at that time.

I guess my message is that you know your body. After all the test we have gone through we could be drs. Get copies of all of your test and keep them in a file. Keep a journal of who you have seen and their comments. Basically run your health like a business. Why not!!! Medicine is a big business.

I will let you know what the surgeon says.

Thank you for reading this. I hope it helps someone who may be in the same situation as me. N

[Hidden]

Hi There,I'm sure pleased you've got sorted. It's like I've written your post myself. I've kept every detail of my health,and my GP who is also a new one,but seems pretty good,says I could be a GP myself because I keep up with everything to do with me.

Pleased for you hope your on the right track now,and things work out.

By the way you say you don't want back surgery,and I don't blame you. My daughter in law has had two back surgeries,and she is now classed disabled from the age of 35yrs old,as if that's not bad enough she is also in pain,so it did no good. I suggest whatever you decide to do,check it all out thoroughly. Good luck.

[Pelviccrusader]

My suggestion is to inject the nerve roots bilaterally in the areas of concern with anesthetic. When I did this It significantly decreased the amount of rectal pain and provided a diagnosis that my rectal pain was coming from my back.

[Smollyholly]

I was at my gp today and took my husband along too The Doctor was more attentive and phoned me back to say she will refer me for an MRI of my back and also has refered me to a Neurosurgeon so feel happy that something better might happen soon

[Konagirl60 in reply to Smollyholly]

It is not right BUT having an advocate really helps. When do you get your MRI?

Are nerves in question? You need a neuro MRI for the radiologists to see the nerves. Good luck and keep us up to date.

[Smollyholly in reply to Konagirl60]

Hi Ive had my mri and the results said my spine was in good shape for my age No nerve impingement which means the pain is caused by surgeon/surgical error

Considering next step

[Konagirl60]

I went to several ER’s and they still misdiagnosed me. It was when I went to a Walk-In Clinic that I got some action. ( the hospital missed a E.coli infection in my urine whereas the clinic found my urine full of white cells, nitrates and bacteria......the very next day! ) The reason was my pudendal nerve was being compressed and stool was leaking out when I slept and spread to my urethra. I had a severe bladder infection for three weeks but the clinic phoned and said I needed antibiotics stat.

Where I live, people cannot find a doctor. I had no choice but to stay with my own because I needed my prescriptions filled. ( I never wanted pills.....I knew I needed surgery and no doctor would help me get it ).

I am so glad you are happy with your new G.P. Good luck.