All of a sudden…

[formariz 11,987]

All my life I have been relatively healthy. I am also not a worrier and in fact treat any ailments rather carelessly aiding to potential problems sometimes. Now in a matter of days I find myself under the care of five specialists and spending most of my time with tests and traveling back and forth to them and doctors. Beginning to need a secretary to keep track of constant appointments, cancellations, reappointments, insurance issues etc. I am also learning an entire new language and vocabulary since I am totally illiterate in these matters. It’s been a real test primarily to my usual good nature and patience dealing with the logistics of this whole thing specially the insurance part.
 The ironic thing is that I don’t feel sick or bad at all. It all started one day looking out of my window and looking at the top of my van. It was filthy . Decided to wash it that day. Of course I need to do that using a ladder . Driveway is steep also so between the stress of being on top of ladder and still having to each to get to the center I hurt my back.  Similar stuff had happened for years a million times. I had a prescription of Celebrex for those occasions by it was empty now the last refill bring in 2019. I only took one or two when needed and that was only a couple of times a year. Sure enough I have to see family doctor to get another. While there he asks me how is everything else. Well I said, there are a few things which have been brewing for a while and annoy me sometimes. So he suggests a couple of X-rays. I guess I should have known that it was going to be like taking a look into the engine bay of the 25 year old car. There has to be something wrong there.

  It found some serious problems with my spine , cartilage problems in my hip and last but not least some spots in bones around pelvic area. Pursuing this and five specialist later including a hematologist now is basically taken over my life and not really contributed to my wife’s welfare either .  The logistics of it ,particularly the insurance and the monopoly and unfairness of the whole system ,make me outright angry when I very rarely get that way. Needless to say we have had some very interesting and entertaining conversations with those people. I may have not been ready for them but quite honestly they were also not quite ready for me. Learned many things such as when they tell you the conversation will be recorded for quality of service concerns and i tell them I am also recording it for potential future legal concerns somehow I get much more cooperation and understanding. Somehow peer to peer calls with them and doctors where tests were not approved then, I have gotten 100% approvals myself so far in those situations. 
 Sometimes I don’t know what is worse. Dealing with one’s health issues or dealing with insurance companies. It’s definitely a test to one’s sanity. 
 So it looks like on top of all the hobbies and interests I have now there is one more which is taking care of my body that unfortunately has taken second priority up to now. Many times I think that not knowing is best and there is a certain peace of mind that comes with oblivion or ignorance wether natural or intentional. I have come to realize however that it is selfish and irresponsible so to the doctors I go. 

[SPINJIM 1,981]

Been there, done that.   My sympathies are with you.   Keep on fighting.

   Jim

 

[Stormin 9,981]

Getting old can be a right bugger sometimes. Hope things improve for you, Cas. 

[stevasaurus 22,741]

Cas, sometimes the good thing about all those tests...they also show what is not wrong with you.  Always ask questions and make sure you understand all they are telling you.  Insurance Companies love to do tests, they hate surprises and long hospital stays.  Hang in there Mate.  

[peter lena 8,629]

@formariz  can relate , been active my entire life , recent exposure  of osteoarthritis ,lower spine  and related hip area . its generic  with my father , coming up to next  stage of what can be done , and related  issues.  just have to do things differently , or  relate to it.  relate to cartilage issues ,  porosity  and loss of  slide areas , injection helped . just staying at it , in a different way .  maybe  some lucas grease fittings , go greasy , pete

[rmaynard 15,461]

It took me a near-drowning incident to discover that I had AFib. That was in 1995. Since then, all of the "old guy" stuff has slowly crept up on me. Cas, hopefully all the things that they have found can be treated successfully. Good luck with those conversations. I was told by one specialist that the conversation was being recorded. I told him that I too was recording on my end. At that point he immediately stopped talking and told me that he had to refer me to the legal department. That was the end of my relationship with that guy.

[Pullstart 62,893]

Get well soon Cas! Sad to hear you’re in that situation all of the sudden…

[formariz 11,987]

Thank you everyone. I don't feel bad or am in any pain. Besides the back pain after washing van's roof which was gone two pills after., I feel OK. My right leg goes numb if I stand still in same spot for more than a minute and sitting on some chairs and sleeping on my back does it too. As per the orthopedic Surgeons ( I checked with 3 of them for opinions) Things have deteriorated with my spine but no reason to think of surgery yet. Numbness on leg not from that they say still chasing that one. An EMG next week.The tear in the cartridge will most likely need an injection and if that does not set things in right direction perhaps then surgery. The worrisome part are the spots on my bones. Still also chasing that one and on a blood test as part of it now they find some alarming abnormalities, therefor here comes the latest one in the loop, the Hematologist. More blood tests this week along with a full body bone scan and for the next 24 hours I have to pee in this container. I may start glowing in the dark any day now unless i run out of blood first.Seven vials yesterday. Again , I don't feel bad and i keep telling these people  I got things to do. Got to have a little sense of humor otherwise this will drive me nuts.

[953 nut 55,244]

Cas, I can sympathize with your situation. I had been ignoring a gradual increase in back problems for years until my doctor ordered a lower spinal MRI. That revealed that my entire lumbar region was deteriorated to the point that I would need spinal fusion. Fortunately I am old enough to be on Medicare and have a good supplemental insurance plan so didn't have to put up with insurance nigh mayors.

I saw several specialists who all seemed to have differing opinions on treatment and had to go through physical therapy to satisfy Medicare requirements. A couple of months went by and my back continued to deteriorate causing irreversible nerve damage before surgery was approved. The surgery and recuperation were as successful as could be expected and I know that if I had started the process sooner the outcome would have been better. Can't complain too much, at least I can walk with a cane.

7 minutes ago, formariz said:

My right leg goes numb if I stand still in same spot for more than a minute and sitting on some chairs and sleeping on my back does it too.

That is Sciatica caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve where it exits the spine, request a spinal MRI to confirm this. This is the symptom that started my little adventure. 

I pray that your surgeons make the best decision for your health and you will have a successful recovery. 

[8ntruck 7,006]

Hang in there, Cas.  Keep asking questions, keep learning, and, most importantly, keep your sense of humor.

[formariz 11,987]

They already ruled out Sciatica. Had already Eight MRIs in two weeks. Three more already scheduled along with a full body bone scan. I think they are good work creators. 

[oliver2-44 9,756]

3 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

Hang in there, Cas.  Keep asking questions, keep learning, and, most importantly, keep your sense of humor.

Prayers sent for complete healing. 
 

We have the best health care in the world and the most frustrating insurance system running it. I’m lucky my wife works in the health care field, so she is a big help to our family navigating the health care system. 

[953 nut 55,244]

10 hours ago, formariz said:

They already ruled out Sciatica. Had already Eight MRIs in two weeks. Three more already scheduled along with a full body bone scan. I think they are good work creators. 

That is the quote of the week! 

Once you get on the medical marry-go-round you can't seem to get off until everyone in town has had a look. They run you all over, make you sit for ever in an uncomfortable waiting room and everyone gets a slice of the pie while you are seeking help. Now that you mention it they did the full body bone scan and electrode stimulus tests also (that was fun).

If you have sciatic nerve pain I don't know how they can rule out sciatica. I'm no doctor but this is what the doctors at the Mayo Clinic say;

Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica most often occurs when a herniated disk or an overgrowth of bone puts pressure on part of the nerve.

[JoeM 7,874]

17 hours ago, formariz said:

The ironic thing is that I don’t feel sick or bad at all.

Yep that is how it starts. 

 

Not going to diagnose the problem but now there is something telling you to change. 

From your past posts it is obvious you are a hard worker. Carried tons of work and projects, making it happen. The result is a worn out body. 

You are not a Wheel Horse Tractor!

 

My biggest issue was I waited to long to make changes, like the van top for instance. i have had things like that bother me and jump out and take care of it. Now i just pass and move on. It is hard. 

Pick your battles.... they say.

 

Now I am held together with glue and screws.

 

Medical insurance is an overwhelming quagmire of red tape. My wife purchases her own insurance and broke her wrist this summer. A trip to the ER for a simple fracture. (You would think) There were bills sent out from doctors she never seen. After calling, turns out the ER doctor forwarded the X-Rays via email to specialists. (Yep it is broke) Some of these bills were 3 to 400. 

I know it is important to get a good handle on the problem, but at times, I think it has gone to far. Might be too many lawsuits??? 

 

Keeping good notes on the visits and billing is a great tool.

Try to relax and take it as it comes. 

[rmaynard 15,461]

8 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

We have the best health care in the world and the most frustrating insurance system running it.

I agree with the part about health care, as long as you choose the right doctors and hospitals. But when it comes to insurance, say what you want about Medicare (I'm 72 and my wife is 71), but for us, it has been the best insurance since my wife left the County's insurance plan in 2018. Nothing has been denied, no test or surgery has been questioned or denied. All doctors, and hospitals around here accept Medicare. Of course there is the supplemental that goes along with it, but our costs have been minimal. 

 

However, I can't say the same about their Part D (prescriptions). One big problem is that doctors prescribe without thinking how the patient is going to pay. Most doctors don't have a clue about what drugs cost.

[formariz 11,987]

2 hours ago, 953 nut said:

If you have sciatic nerve pain I don't know how they can rule out sciatica.

My right side goes numb by standing still more than a minute, sitting on some chairs like a kitchen chair, and by me attempting to sleep on my back but I have no pain. Just the numbness. 
 

 Getting ready to go handout my gallon of pee and doing the full body bone scan today. Three more MRIs to be scheduled due to the bone spots . My poor wife is just about freeking out. This is taking a toll on her condition to the point that her medication is not controlling her tremors. It may come to be that I have something even more serious than what they already found ,but unlike her I can function normally and I can joke about it. She cannot ,and and the furthest thing from my mind was that this was coming about and was going to make her worst  yet. Hard pill to swallow here. I need to take care of myself so I can take care of her but yet the stress of it is a big agravating  factor for her condition. This is pretty freeking hard. 

[stevasaurus 22,741]

Have you showed any of these doctors pictures of your still ??  

 

The above comment was only to put a smile on your face.  Never lose that sence, cents, sense of humor Cas.

[oliver2-44 9,756]

4 hours ago, 953 nut said:

If you have sciatic nerve pain I don't know how they can rule out sciatica. I'm no doctor but this is what the doctors at the Mayo Clinic say;

Last January after my 3rd COVID shot, I developed Gillian Barre Syndrone.  It initially appeared as severe sciatic nerve pain and that's what the first ER doctor diagnoses it as.  Thankfully, my wife realized it was more than that and we sought additional treatment.

with the good Lords help I'm all good today.

[953 nut 55,244]

5 hours ago, formariz said:

I have no pain. Just the numbness.

The way they explained it to me the numbness is a form of pain. Anything abnormal can be considered pain.

It sometimes seems that the insurance companies put you through the wringer hopping you will give up. Hang in there and give your wife our love.

I pray that you and your wife will be able to jump off the medical marry-go-round soon and find a resolution to your situation. 

[EB-80/8inPA 1,641]

As one old bumpkin said to me: “Getting old - it ain’t for sissies.”

Good luck!

[SylvanLakeWH 25,563]

Prayers for correct diagnosis, treatment and recovery... 

[D_Mac 8,619]

I have said many times here, Never take your health for granted. I have battled cancer 3 times now since 2019. My advice is to make sure you take care of your mental health as well as your physical well being. Stay positive. Keep fighting. Don't be ashamed to ask for or accept help when you need it. Life can change so fast. Stay positive. Wish you the best.

[Cvans 1,009]

I'm sorry to hear about your back problems.  

I wish you the best and sincerely hope you find the help you need. 

[formariz 11,987]

Thank you everyone for the support and encouraging words. So it seems like the back and hip problems could be the least of my problems. Upon reviewing the finding of a"spot" in my pelvic bone the Oncologist found an "abnormality in my blood tests referring me  now to a Hematologist. Upon further blood tests , there is a protein in there associated with bone marrow cancer. He states that it maybe fine but since is right at the border of "worry" warranting further tests and observation. If nothing now, he states that I should be tested every six months so we keep on top of it. So this past week in one day I had 14 Xrays taken from head to toe.Along with extensive urine analyses and of course more blood tests.For sure now I don't need any flash lights to walk in the dark. This coming week also have three additional MRI's scheduled from the Oncologist. If no concrete determination there I will have to do a biopsy of said "spot". All I wanted to do was to have the top of my van clean. Never imagined such a simple task was going to open Pandora's Box. Looks like I am going to be stuck in this endless "loop".

[953 nut 55,244]

8 hours ago, formariz said:

Upon further blood tests , there is a protein in there associated with bone marrow cancer. He states that it maybe fine but since is right at the border of "worry" warranting further tests and observation. If nothing now, he states that I should be tested every six months so we keep on top of it.

 

8 hours ago, formariz said:

If no concrete determination there I will have to do a biopsy of said "spot"

I have been on the six month follow up program for the protein that can be a marker for bone marrow cancer for a few years now, numbers are remaining steady. The bone marrow biopsy isn't too bad of a procedure until they actually extract the sample of marrow, felt like and electric shock but only lasted a couple seconds. Hope your numbers aren't increasing.