I have recently been referred by my doctor to pain management for sciatica, spinal stenosis from herniated disc as I am in constant excruciating pain. I have already had two microdiscectomies, 3 yrs physical therapy, four steroid injections back in 2007 & 2008, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, prescription nerve blocker, muscle relaxer and ibuprofen and am currently scheduled for another steroid injection. The next step I want to avoid is disc fusion because it limits mobility. I questioned the doctor about burning the nerve like my husband is about to have done for varicose veins. He said it would render my leg useless. I asked about whether they replace the missing cartilage or disc, he said they couldn’t. I couldn’t sleep tonight because of pain, so I began researching on internet and found five different sources and articles on gel and cartridge disc replacement for spine as being successful during trials. I don’t know why the doctor would lie to me. I asked about CBD or medicinal marijuana also and he said he couldn’t officially give me a referral but that he heard that it could work and thought it’d be worth trying. After discussing with CBD store people and expressed that I only want to kill pain (not be high or non functional) I have gotten Kratum which gives me a couple hours of pain relief and does more than any prescription without the high. My problem is that I got turned down for reopening an L&I case from 2006 job injury even after appeal (though I was told I could reopen at any time as I was deemed as having a partial permanent injury disability. I am currently in appeal process for social security disability. So in meantime I am on charity program of this medical group while I wait. Also waiting on medicaid application.
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Didn’t Trump pass a ‘Right to Try’ act?
I don't think you want a doctor to operate on you with a procedure they don't use or understand just because "the procedure works." The person administering meds to be competent and preferably very experienced also.
I like the idea of pursuing other opinions from doctors already using the treatment you're seeking.
That’s what I want and the pain doctor isn’t a surgeon, so he wouldn’t be the one doing it anyway. Not sure why he didn’t refer me though unless he isn’t aware but I sent him links to all that I found so he knows I know now.
I think its only for life threatening conditions.
Yeah, just found that. That sucks!