No Surgery... Yet
 

New here. Hello everyone.

I've been a weightlifter since I was 12 years old and haven't stopped at 44 years old. There's plenty of public service announcements about drugs, HIV, heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, smoking but nada for being careful for one's spine. I would have listened to that one. At least I think I would have.

Last MRI in Feb. 2012 showed two herniations L4/5 & L5/S1 as well as a L2/3 bulge. I don't lift weights anymore. I still do pullups though and plenty of machines, but no direct load bearing on spine weight lifting, only pulling.

I am in the process of getting another MRI soon to see the latest 'look' of things in the lower back. I have had a recent bad turn with what feels to be the L5/S1 with chronic sciatica now along with some right foot numbness. This is now a month.

I've done plenty of traction and paid a chiropractor $5k this summer to 'decompress' me on his fancy machine. Temporary relief.

But, this isn't working. I can't sit and can't drive. Can't eat at the dinner table with the family. Can't go to the movies. You all know what this is about.

I want to fast track my healing but I don't want to rush into anything either.

I am with Kaiser Northern California which I'm not happy about. My spine specialist whom I've met with 3 times now is a small, affable asian lady, but she acts like a bouncer at a nightclub not allowing me to get in to talk to the surgeons.

I have already researched about the overseas option Ritter-Lang, Germany, from all of you folks here giving me a heads up.

I meet again with my spine specialist(Kaiser) this Wednesday to push for an MRI and X Ray to get an update.

Oooops. I just found the hot thread on Stenum and RL/Clavel. Didn't know there was so much passion on the subject till now.

Am open to hearing either side.

I'm sure people are getting tired of me harping on this, but you don't need a doctor's permission to get an MRI or xrays. You can pay cash and there are imagine centers who are happy to negotiate a low cash price. I paid $300 for an MRI and xrays and $200 for a CT scan after calling several different imaging centers and playing let's make a deal until I got the lowest price.

There's something wrong when we have to 'push' our doctors to get films. If you can spring for the few hundred to get an MRI, just eliminate the middle man and go around the doctor. You should never have to push a doctor to do what's in your best interest.

Also, several doctors overseas will look at your films and offer a free opinion.

Good luck, and I hope your docs start putting your health first.

Thanks. I appreciate that. Last time I had an MRI, my portion of the cost was $1,800, and another likewise amount was billed to my insurer, supposedly.

Which is a ridiculous amount.

I will look at alternatives.

I went with Dr. Bierstedt, I could have easily gone with Clavel. From my understanding both worked with R-L. As did Malte Petersen, if you want to Google.

Adr
 

Did Bierstedt work with RL???

It is my understanding that Dr. Bierstedt worked with Ritter-Lang in Stenum. Malte worked there as well in a business context.

Adr
 

I recall malte working there but have never seen an affiliation to Bierstedt? Nothing mentioned about stenum in bierstedts resume either

Thanks for the heads up Ian.

My portion for MRI, Kaiser: $925
With dye: $1257

I called around other places to pay with cash:

My portion from Mercy: $1,800
With dye: $2000

My portion from a guy down the street:

My portion for MRI: $500!!!
With dye: $925

Laison with Bierstedt today told me dye was not necessary, so Ian saved me $425!

Sweet! :beer: