Denise -- I finally got to read your entire post. BOY could I relate. I had a PCP for 7 years whose favorite phrase in reference to any complaint I had was "Well, Joan, it's another Medical Mystery." The quality of care was minimal. I've been asking for remedial PT for years and a TNS unit for back pain because the painkillers really do a number on me, and I'm afraid that I would get too used to them. Switched to a new HMO and got a real MD who spends thirty minutes with me for each visit. She even spent time with me going over the insurance claim forms after this last surgery; and identified a skin cancer (the blotch had been there for years!) and removed it immediately! Thanks to her, a problem I've had since age 13 has now almost completely been resolved. Have also been referred for PT and have the TNS unit in my bathroom. JMW On Fri, 7 May 1999 10:39:04 EDT "Denise D. Goodman" <[log in to unmask]> writes: > >There is truth transfixed in trite expressions. "What a Difference A >Day >Makes," is a prime example. Yesterday, I could barely function. >Today I'm >feeling great! I wish I could have related my entire experience with >you >yesterday, but alas, my synapatic firing kept getting jammed. I >couldn't hit >the cognative mark :D > >First I'd like to thank everyone who gave me places to look for >addtional >information. In addtion to technical info, I was hoping to speak to a >few >people who may already utilize the device. I did get a few names >which I'll >check out. In the meantime, I just have to tell you about the Doctor >I >found! > >I don't believe I related the last experience I had. I know I should >have >shared this with you, but I was so upset, I couldn't even bring myself >to >talk about it. Two months ago, I was bounced from Primary Care >Physican, to >Orthopedic Dr., then he pushed me onto a Neurologist. As I >understand, most >CP cases are managed by a Neurologist, so I felt, "At last I was in >the right >place." My mom drove me in and I know I'm prone to exaggeration, but >honest >to God, the man had me in the office for less than five minutes. I >wasn't >examined. He asked me a few cursory questions only. First he >suggested I go >to an Orthopedic Dr. I told him, "That's who sent me here to see >you." Then >he actually said, "Well, I don't see what the problem is. You were >born with >CP. You should be used to it by now. Nothing more can be done for >you." > >I walked out to write the check and mom said, "Did you forget >something? >Isn't the Doctor back there?" I told her I was done, paid the check, >and >that I was heading to the car. My said she'd be right behind, she was >finishing up a conversation with some people she'd been chatting with >who >were waiting to be seen. She came outside, looked me in the eye and >said, >"Okay, what's wrong. Something bad happened I can read it on your >face." So >sitting on a bench, 34 years old, I start crying like a big baby. I >told her >what he said. I was so disappointed and hurt and felt stupid. She >told me >he was the jerk and we should look for another doctor. I was just so >shell-shocked, because I'd been in pain for months and was despertae >for >relief. I couldn't even bring myself to think about going to another >doctor. > >Well, hubby's employer just changed Health Insurance again, so I >needed to >find a doctor quick who could perscribe my maintance drugs. I decided >to >again try a Neurologist. (Another trite expression coming) The >difference >between them was like Night and Day! This doctor saw me before I >filled out >ANY paperwork even. The nurse had me put on a gown! Geeze, last time >I >disrobed for a Neuro was about 17 years ago! He gave me a COMPLETE >exam. He >took my Full history, including the details about my birth (which no >one has >ever done!). He told me he is working on a few studys. I figured as >much >from the questions. In the meantime, he breaks right in the middle of >the >exam and says, "Oh! You know, I just read an article on CP in one of >my >journals. Hold on, I'm going to my office and see if I can find it, >be right >back." > >Good Gravy Batman- this guy was like some super-hero doctor. A doctor >who >reads the journals? A doctor who listens? A doctor who has >alternative >options for treatment? - I almost had to pinch myself! I told him he >restored my faith in the medical profession. I also confided in him >about my >recent experience with the other doctor. He seemed to be more upset >by it >than I did. As if this dinosour doctor besmerched "His" profession. >I still >can't get over it. > >Any way, he suggested the Baclofen pump because I currently take 60MG >daily >by mouth. He said it is extremely inefficeint deleivery. Using the >pump a >minisucle dose could be administered directly into my spinal cord. >The >side-effects are lessened because the drug doesn't travel through the >entire >blood stream and through all of the organs. It makes sense, but I'm >still a >bit leary. He also wanted me to stop taking the pain killers, and >switch to >something non-narcotic. I told him no problem. He thinks I'm >addicted, but >I haven't taken any since I've seen him and no DT's, no withdrawls. I >only >took 1/2 to 1 pill a day, but I've been on them for years, so it >caused him >some concern. I also told him, I take the pain killers as a last >resort. >It's not so much the pain (I do have an extrememly high tolernace for >pain), >what drives me to the medication is feeling so stiff and achey. I >told him >it's like I'm wearing a cement over-coat. I'm weighted down and >everything >snaps and crackels when I move, if I can move. He suggested the >additional >Ativan, which so far is really doing the trick! It's so bizzare I can >hardly >stand it!!!!! - You know how when you get in the pool, you feel that >unfettered freedom of movement? Then the second you step on dry land >you >feel about 50 pounds heavier and completely awkward? Well with the >added >Ativan, my body has a fulid movement I haven't felt in years. > >I notice my hands don't curl up into the "Claw" when I'm watching tv. >When I >walk, I usually do it on the balls of my feet. Now if I concentrate, >I can >get in a few "heel-toe, heel toe" Geeze, I haven't been able to walk >heel-toe for about 10 years! > >I'm not getting my hopes up because when I first went on Baclofen five >years >ago, I felt a marked improvement, but as my body adjusted to the >medication >the control was gone. Still, it's a good feeling. There are some >negatives. > I feel sort of tired out and droopey, but HEY! At least I'm loose >and >droopy, instead of tired out and tight. > >Thanks for letting me share. I'll keep you posted on Dr. Brody's >treatments. > OH- he also suggested I get an MRI to see where the actual brain >damage is. >He said that it can't be corrected, of course, but it is good to have >a >reference, so if there are neurological changes, they can be seen and >treated >accordingly. He said too many doctors chalk a patients problems up to >the >obvious (like the cp). He said it is important to stay alert, because >other >things can go wrong. Did I tell you this guy was great or what? - >Well >that's all. Take Care, Be well, and For Pete's sake, try and find a >good >doctor. It really does make all the difference. - Denise. > ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]