AND YET.....ANOTHER QUESTION! :)

[SoScared1018]

I was seeing an Orthopedic for 3 years for my ruptured disk and bursitis. My primary doc suggested I see a Rhuem for my fibro. I also need to be tested for AS (ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS) due to the "mysterious" pain in back and spine. Should I see a Neuro or a Rhuem???

[SoScared1018]

WOW, stenosis is no joke. My mom and her mom has it. My mom has had 2 surgeries (fusion) and they think I might be at a high risk for it as well. I can only imagine how hard your situaion is, considering that you are going to actually need to pain pills after your surgery! I'm 18 days off norco, and have thought about the same thing. What if I need a surgery, etc and need to take pain pills...what then???? I hope your surgery goes well!

Keep Posting!

[Menlo650]

Good evening Soscared,
      If I were you, I would see the rheumatoid and a Nuerosurgeon. The Rumatiod Md will order all the Endocrine tests needed to diagnose the RA and the Nuerosurgeon will order a MRI with contrast to see if you have any stenosis, disk protrutrusions or any nerve entrapment going on. I need an emergent stenosis repair done this Monday. I've had 3 cervical surgeons and 2 back operations already. I've been on the subs for 14 days and off the Norco tabs and now I have to sop taking the subs in order for the pain meds to work. This is a very scary situation for me now. Good luck with your situation and email me anytime you have a question ok? That's what this Forum is all about, we all care..

[SoScared1018]

I hear ya. It has been a few weeks since I have been off PC....think I might give it a couple more weeks before returning to another specialist. I do have an appt with my psychiatrist next week and he will steer me in the right direction...I hope.

[SoScared1018]

As I noted above, my primary doc did suggest a rhue, but she does not know that I also need to be checked for other things as well.

[cleaninitup]

If they are checking for AS then it would be a Rheum since it is an autoimmune disease  involving the calcification of your discs. My husband  was diagnosised with 27 years ago.
Best of luck to you .

[Conjen]

Neuro because rheum won't help with pain they send you back to your primary with a diagnosis I'm currently seein a rheumatologist and I'm having an issue with this whole situation

[YesLife4Me]

I have heard that its not easy to truly have your pain assessed until you have been off all pain meds for at least a couple weeks.  Spondlytis is a degenrative disc disease, like athritis.   It is a narrowing of the cushioning around the disc that causes the pain.    

[dominosarah]

Ask your primary care doctor what route would be the best.