Re: Herniated disc and Disability

On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 19:50:51 -0700, "Taterbug"
<taterbug66@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>
>"Puddin' Man" <Pudding.Man@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>news:6osjj1p6nou73v846qhecnkr943mll3ep3@xxxxxxxxxx
>> Re: Herniated disc and Disability
>>
>> I am 58 and haven't worked regular in 5 years. Have had
>> a Soc. Security disability case in the courts for years.
>> After multiple denials, my lawyer dumped me, other attorneys
>> declined involvement. Representing myself, I put the case
>> in US District Ct.
>>
>> I have multiple sources of pain in/around the left hip.
>> One recognized source is Degenerative Disk Disease,
>> which SS treats like an ingrown toenail whenever
>> they can get away with it (almost always).
>>
>> I just gor results of a lumbar spine MRI. Some excerpts:
>>
>> "There is a focal herniation of the L5-S1 disc toward
>> the left which is best appreciated on the saggital sequence.
>> Image degradation of the axial sequence creates some
>> limitation of visability but the small herniated fragment
>> appears to abut and slightly posteriorly displace the
>> left sided S1 root.
>>
>> IMPRESSION: FOCAL HERNIATION L5-S1 TO THE LEFT
>>
>> IMAGE DEGREDATION BY METAL HARDWARE IN THE LEFT SIDE
>> OF THE ABDOMEN AS NOTED ABOVE."
>>
>> The metal hardware is the result of a varicocele embolization
>> performed last fall.
>>
>> Because of the metal hardware qualification, I doubt that
>> SS or the court would count the MRI as conclusive evidence.
>> They'll use any excuse to deny.
>>
>> Q1:
>> Would/should a lumbar spine CT-scan confirm/deny the
>> herniated disc? I'm assuming the metal hardware wouldn't
>> interfere with the CT (correct me if I'm wrong on this).
>>
>> Q2:
>> What's a good source of info on long-term herniated disc
>> problems?
>>
>> I've suspected that I had vertebrae problems above/beyond
>> DDD for years.
>>
>> Would appreciate prompt response. The judge may be writing
>> the disability denial as I type.
>>
>> Much Thanks,
>> Puddin'
>> --
>> ******************************************************
>> *** Puddin' Man PuddingDotMan at GmailDotCom ***
>> ******************************************************;
>
>Hi,
>
>Just curious, what types of Doctors have you seen for your back problem?

In the last 3 years, 2 ortho's.
In the last year, a neurosurgeon.
In the last month, a rheumatologist.

>They would be able to send you in for the right tests to substantiate your
>condition for SSI. I know its a bear to get SSI......

Kinda like trying to shot-put the Rock of Gibraltar ...

>As for the CT vs MRI others may be able to add better advice. But i think
>the MRI shows soft tissue, which is what a disk is. I'm not sure the CT
>shows the condition of a disk. I may be wrong, but when my Dr sent me in
>for my last MRI in July, i asked her if i could do a CT instead becasuse i
>didnt want to go in the enclosed tube again, and she said Sorry the MRI is
>the test i need, so i went to a open ended MRI.

I've heard that MRI is usually best for HD. This may/may-not be
the case for me due to the embedded metal.

> Q2:
>> What's a good source of info on long-term herniated disc problems?
>A good source, type Herniated Disk in Google it will bring up tons of
>information.

I've done this. As near as I can tell, there's no practical
treatment. Just avoid putting a load on the spine.

>But in my experience I have had L4, L5 and L5s1 herniated
>disks for 13 years. Its NO fun at all, now i have a compression fracture on
>L5 and Impinged nerve roots on both sides of L5s1 plus progressive DDD and
>Ostiopenia at L4 and L5 Levels.......

Ouch. You've got it lots worse than po' me. Sorry to hear.

>So in my experience it only gets worse
>as time goes on.

'Tis the only rational expectation ...

>As allways everyone is different........

I managed to chat with the MRI radiologist. He sez CT may/may-not
be better than MRI in my circumstance.

The rheumy finally called. Will order the CT. I should be able
to schedule later today.

Thanks and Hang In There,
Puddin'
--
******************************************************
*** Puddin' Man PuddingDotMan at GmailDotCom ***
******************************************************;
.

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