Diagnosis but no help with PROGNOSIS

[JMar63]

I need to know that I am not alone. I have had, in the past two months, an MRI, CT Scan, Myelogram and an EMG/Nerve Conduction test. I have been diagnosed with the following: Mild scolisos, arthritis, Level 2 osteoporosis, herniated disk (L4-L5), spinal stenosis, degenerative disk disease, sciatica of course and most recently chronic nerve damage. Cannot find out who can help me find out what normal is now. I feel like I am being passed around from doctor to doctor with only a diagnosis but no prognosis. What am I supposed to do now????

[JMar63]

I have gone to the pain management doctor. I also have been referred by my PCP to a Neurosurgeon. I go see him on April 15th. The pain management doctor says that I have multiple issues, but he believes that I can get some relief with the herniated disk by probably getting the spinal fusion done. Also, I found out from him that my Arthritis is a MAJOR factor in this also. I will know more once I see the Neurosurgeon. At least I feel more knowledgable about what is going on.

[JMar63]

The neurologist that I saw told after my EMG that I also had chronic nerve damage and that there was nothing surgically that could be done. I had placed a call to find out if an orthopedic doctor could help and was told the only thing they could do was the epidural injections.  Now this neurologist is sending me to a pain management doctor. I have an appointment this Thursday.  I did see my regular doctor last week and he said I should see a neurosurgeon.  I am so confused right now. It just seems like no one can help. I'm afraid to go to anymore doctors because I am tired of tests.  It is just confusing that people on here go to orthopedic doctors and the ones around here tell me they can't help. I just don't know what to do anymore.

[Develo]

I had a herniated disk with sciatica. My orthopedic surgeon operated on me and I was feeling fine. But now my disc herniated again and is pressing on my nerve. He recommended steroid injections for now. If it does not help I will have another surgery.
But I was happy after the first one, when all the pain was gone.
You should talk to your orthopedic about this option.

[JMar63]

It's odd that you mentioned surgery that could help the herniated disk and the nerve compression. When I had the EMG/NCS done, the neurologist looked me straight in the face and told me that there was nothing surgically that could be done to help me.  Now I am being sent to a Pain Management doctor. What this says to me is that there is no hope for a cure, but we can show you how to live the rest of your life in pain and somehow survive.  
When I contacted an orthopedic surgeon, they told me that the only thing that could do for me was to give me the epidural injections. Had one...didn't work.
I am just about at wits end. How come no one can give a straight answer?

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

You have basically three conditions running simultaneously. These are the arthritis, the degenerative disc disease with the disc herniation and osteoporosis.

The cause of the osteoporosis may be anything. What is more important to know is that it makes you vulnerable to fractures. So, you have to be careful with falls and injuries, especially with the hip joint.

A surgery can be done to fix the herniated disc and the nerve compression. I am not sure if a vertebral fusion is possible. Your treating orthopedic surgeon should be able to tell you that.

I guess you need to handle these three separate conditions separately.

Regards