Too good to be true??

[LeeK]

I went this Tuesday to have another MRI done. On the previous Thursday, I worked up the courage to see my surgeon and tell him I was ready for the ADR he suggested in May. He wanted an updated MRI done to see if it had further declined. If it had declined, he wanted to wait for the "porous coating" Charite' first before proceding. I felt for sure the disc had worsened since the pain level had stayed the same, if not becoming more intense in the lower back.

The doctor's asst. came in the room to load the CD for the Dr. I was surprised, and commented, "It doesn't look as bad as it did last time..." before, the disc was black and half the height of the healthy ones. The asst. said nothing and left the room. Dr. walks in and says, "So, I hear it isn't as bad as last time??" I said, "Yea, I was telling your asst. that it didn't seem to look as bad as the last MRI". You know what the jerk says to me???

"Well, since you have no medical background, your opinion doesn't really matter to me."

This guy amazes me with his lack of social graces! If I weren't in the mess I am and there were other surgeons around here with his experience, I would go elsewhere.

On a good note though, the disc actually is a bit lighter in color, which he says mean it has some fluid in it. He can still see the tear though. The height seems a tiny bit better. It is still right on my nerve, leaning to the left. I had been taking the Vivatek treatments (60 treatments) and felt they failed bec. I felt no different, if not more pain.

Dr. " Social Graces" told me that based on this he could not recommend me for the ADR and wants me to "keep doing whatever it was you were doing". So I started back to the Vivatek bed today. I will see that doc. on Tuesday and ask his opinion when comparing the two MRIs. It was a relief but I'm trying not to get my hopes to high...but I just can't believe that there was even that small change. I pray if I continue back for another 60 sessions, maybe the tear will heal too...

When I saw him last Thursday, he asked me, "So, did you get that second opinion from Dr. G?" I said, "Yes, I know you are friends but I didn't care for him too much." He says, "Well, we're not here for a lovefest ya know. What did he say?" "He agreed with your dx and was very flip, shrugged his shoulders, and said 'You could even bleed to death on the table!!'". I thought he would be aghast at this behavior but instead he says, "Well, you could bleed to death on the table and as a matter of fact, I'm going to have you sign a piece of paper that states that you know that you could die!"

Do all surgeons have a major God complex or something? I have the worst luck with doctors!!

[annapurna]

No, you have moderately bad luck with doctors. When the doctor refuses to treat you and then calls around to make sure no one else does, that's worse luck. Bluntly speaking, it takes a significant amount of arrogance to be a good doctor. Heck, it takes a fair bit of arrogance to be an engineer, just ask everyone who works with me!

If the doctor is good enough to back up his arrogance, see if you can put up with it. If his arrogance makes you question the quality of care you're getting, and it sounds like it will, look to see if someone else is better. Alternatively, get the skilled jerk to do the surgery, when you get it, but a doctor more willing to talk with you for the non-surgical stuff.

One comment about the MRI: if you can talk to the radiologist reading the MRI, see if the settings and equipment was the same. Different MRIs read slightly different. Given your situation, it's probably worth a call to rule out equipment problems.

Equipment tweaks can lead to changes in images and/or interpretation as it has happened to me.

[LeeK]

Thank you for your input. I did go to the same MRI clinic as the first 3, same machine. Do you think I should still call? The radiologist wrote that he felt there was no difference between the new one and last March's but doc says he disagrees with their findings...

I hope you don't need surgery, but please know that not all surgeons reveal this horrible god complex to their patients! If you still want to be sure you're not a surgery candidate, please get a second opinion by someone who YOU've researched to be very experienced in this field. See one of the surgeons frequently named on this site.

If you don't feel comfortable with this arrogant a$$hole now ..why would you feel comfortable with him during surgery or post surgey ...and god forbid, what if you had a less than perfect recovery? Would you trust his suggestions for treatment then if you already feel this way about him now?

He also doesn't seem to acknowledge your increased pain symptoms. Is your increased pain due to muscle tightness due to continued ongoing nerve aggravation?

I would consider going out of state if you have to, to consult with someone with 100's of ADRs under his belt. Can your surgeon say that he's done 100s of Charites or ProDiscs to back up his arrogance?

[Carmont]

Lee K,
I so agree with LBP. I cannot imagine having to "worked up the courage to see my surgeon". That must be a horrible feeling. If you are going to have a surgery, you should be able to communicate with and trust your surgeon and not be fearful of him or her. Absolutely look for a surgeon with lots of ADR experience and work with that surgeon to make the decision about if you are a good candidate for surgery. This forum has provided several names of experienced ADR surgeons who are very qualified. Why risk it? And why tolerate the belittling manner of this person? Who is paying whom? That is often forgotten.
I certainly hope your luck changes and you find a differect surgeon.

[annapurna]

Originally posted by Lee K:
[qb] The radiologist wrote that he felt there was no difference between the new one and last March's but doc says he disagrees with their findings... [/qb]

When the surgeon disagrees with the radiologist, you've crossed the line from arrogance to dangerous. Another surgeon sounds like the best approach, especially as I'd really worry about the post-op care I'd get from someone as difficult to deal with as this person.

[Mariaa]

Lee,
This past Tuesday I just saw the nicest OSS for 2nd opinion or I believe that is what it was considered.

He sat down, introduced himself, acknowledged he was at the same teaching hospital where I injured myself at that time in his residency, as well as having spent a day with the current OSS I have now in his training, he maintained eye contact with me the whole time, and he was just so even keel,kind, and polite.

I would love to make this guy my treating doctor..am thinking about it even tho he doesn't do ADR, or at least treating before and after ADR should I remain a candidate and have it....

Personally, I don't think I could tolerate such an obnoxious oaf as you describe even tho many surgeons aren't exactly known for their bedside manners.

It's not that I expect the doctor to act like my buddy, however, I at least would like some respect due any person/patient

I believe that whatever personality you see before the surgery, if for some reason the surgery renders less than desirable results, you would want someone that would treat you well and I don't think that guy sounds like he would..

** Over the years I've had back problems (20 plus) I've had doctors expound on the MRI findings by radiologist or state that what was stated on the report wasn't an important finding although it was brought to attention. Usually surgeons have their preferred radiologists (in terms of reading/writing details of films) or Imagining centers if not in the hospital.

Your doc sounds just plain rude, however, I would have expected him to go over the findings of the film despite the radiologist's report, and if he didn't like or agree with what you noticed on the MRI, just to say "yeah well.. this is what I see.." and keep going, not to insult you.

Whatever you're doing, I hope it's truly helping and you are able to avoid surgery, however, your symptoms over time will tell the truth about what is going and eventually the MRI or other diagnostic test should reflect why you have continued or worsened pain.

[andromeda1111]

Frankly I would tell those doctors to F*** off! and refuse to pay for their unacceptable services. I without question, would find somebody else.

[Justin]

Lee . . . run!


Or walk to another surgeon. I have to say, it is amazing that so many different personalities and motivations for practicing medicine exist--I wish everyone in medicine was on the same page--to help their patients who are in need, period.

Sorry to hear of your experience--for every surgeon with poor bedside manner and the oh-so-wonderful "God complex," there are many incredible surgeons in medicine that are incredibly great people. The trouble is sometimes finding them, as they are overshadowed by the "Gods."

Justin

[luvmysibe]

Greetings Lee,

Not only would I request another view of your MRI, I would request another treating physician. My entire surgical team was approachable, friendly, understanding, and professional. This is such a major decision that you need to feel comfortable not just with their surgical skill, but their patient skills as well.