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nerve damage

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leahbug

Junior Member
CA
Long story short..I recently had a L5/S1 Discectomy/Laminectomy. The surgery went well but it is believed that I have permanent nerve damage.
I have been treated for my back issues by the same general doctor since 2004.
In April of this year my symptoms worsened dramatically. I went to see my Dr. with complaints of numbness and pain, Cauda Equina. I was very frustrated because all he did was send me home with pain and nerve medications. I had read that "saddle numbness" should be a serious concern. I continued to work, continued to make new Dr. appointments with complaints.
In the end of May my pain was completely unbearable. I made an emergency room trip followed by yet another Dr. appointment with my general. Fortunately for me he was on vacation and I was able to see another Dr. She immediately ordered an MRI and requested a Neurosurgery referral. She stated that in my condition, I shouldn't even be driving.
The MRI technician told me when he handed me my CD that this was an emergency situation.
Back to my general Dr. who sent me home with an upped dosage of nerve meds.
The referral from the other Dr. went through and I was sent to Neurosurgery who felt my medical condition as urgent. I had surgery the following week.
As of now I continue to have nerve pain, numbness and sexual dysfunction.
In a follow up with my Neurosurgeon he believed that I will never fully recover from these symptoms due to the lengthy period of time my nerves were pinched.

The big question..do you believe my general doctor to be negligent?
 


lealea1005

Senior Member
do you believe my general doctor to be negligent?
Possibly. IMHO, given your previous medical history, an MRI should have been ordered when you first presented with symptoms of Cauda Equina.

You may have a hard time proving the nerve damage was solely from the delay in diagnosing the Cauda Equina and not from your surgery in 2004.
 

leahbug

Junior Member
sorry

In 04 my back was hurting. My general sent me to get an MRI and to an Orthopedic. I had several bulges but nothing severe enough for surgery. I did not have surgery then. I did go through physical therapy in 04, which seemed to help. As the years went on my general had me on "pain management" Typical sciatica was present along with back pain. The numbness started in April of this year for which I saw my general at least 4 times until I finally met with his associate Dr. instead of him. I have requested a copy of my medical records which will clearly show the many, many appointments made for back pain, requests to see a specialist and the array of meds prescribed which I still have because they were ineffective.
 

lealea1005

Senior Member
The numbness started in April of this year for which I saw my general at least 4 times until I finally met with his associate Dr. instead of him.
At any time during those 4 visits, did you specifically describe the new symptoms/numbness you were having and the fact that it was increasing in severity?
 

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