Good morning,i have had problems with my legs for over the past year, the pain is excruciating and keeps me awake at night and when walking distances the pain brings me to a halt. I have been to my doctor on several occasions with this problem and to be fair he has had blood tests taken an also sent me for xray on my left leg where most of the pain occurs, i have also had medication for anti infalmatory, pain killers you name it to no avail, i asked if i could get a scan but the doctor seemed to ignore this request, i can appreciate that they are expensive, but if the goverment can pay thousands of pounds on interpreters and medical help for illegal immagrants why cant i as a tax payer for over 30 yrs not get the corrrect treatment i require?? i'm 45 yrs old and always been active but due to the pains in my legs this prohibits me from taking part in sporting activities, now they goverment think tanks want us to keep active fit and healthy, i cant due to lack of the correct treatment..
2007-12-12 21:13:57 · 8 answers · asked by thomasreilly2001 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Please only sensible constructive answers!!!!There has been no diagnosis to date, and in no way did i say there was in my question!!!!
2007-12-12 21:26:08 · update #1
Dr !!! maybe if yiy read the content of the my email firstly before you reply!! i have exhausted all other treatment, regarding blood samples and xray for bone damage & also oral medication!! i have had the pain and symptoms for over a year now with no resolve, in no way am i a qualified medic if i was i wouldnt be on here asking the question, but feel if there is anything sinister lurking in there the next step would be for a scan to highlight this !!!
2007-12-12 23:09:09 · update #2
Hi,
The official answer is that the scan would only be requested if the result altered treatment and for most cases of back pain the scan doesn't.
Having said this I think you do have a point in wanting a scan. Firstly, someone of your age with such severe symptoms wants to actually see what is causing the problem as being able to visualise it helps with accepting and coping with it.
Secondly, and more importantly in your case, I think MRI might alter your treatment. Your symptoms suggest "spinal claudication" which may well be due to a disc prolapse in someone of your age. If you are prepared to have surgery if a prolapsed disc is found then you should be referred for a scan on the NHS (I assume you are in the UK).
If you would not have surgery whatever is found then perhaps the NHS should not be paying to satisfy your "want" rather than "need" but there is no reason you could not pay to have the scan privately and your GP can't refuse to refer you for a private scan.
In the UK you can get a private scan and report for £200 with a copy of the scan on CD which can be viewed on a PC or, in some hospitals, transferred onto the hospital digital archive.
No-one needs to pay the silly prices being demanded by private hospitals for MRI. Have a look at the UK radiology website below.
Hope it works out OK for you. You don't get much sympathy on here.
2007-12-16 05:27:53 · answer #1 · answered by beechescomposter 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You doctor should be able to make a good evaluation through MRI and CAT scans for blood vessels and cloting in the legs if your experiencung pain on a regulare basis.
Your knees come into it as they have a lot o=to do with the way you walk and stand.
I woulsd think you doctor would want this done first, go from there.
I would call him on it, if hes to busy, find abother docotor or if he doesn't have the privilages, contact one who has.
2007-12-12 21:23:12 · answer #2 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would get a second opinion. A few years ago i had severe leg pain that they couldn't figure out. It turned out to be slipped vertebra. However, the only way to see it is by taking a x-ray from the side, which is usually not done. So you may want to see if there has been one taken, as many back xrays are taken from the front/back, which can miss it.
2007-12-14 13:55:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes the insurance plan (including private insurance) can dictate whether an MRI is really necessary but with your situation I would recommend getting another opinion and preferably from someone that does not share the same office of the doctor you currently use to see what other doctor thinks might be going on.
2007-12-12 21:19:11 · answer #4 · answered by sokokl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The scan would need to have a medical indication, you can't just have a test because you, with no medical training, feel you would like to have one!
2007-12-12 22:57:24 · answer #5 · answered by Dr Frank 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try a different physician if possible with an MRI at heart. I hope you find a solution soon. Best of luck.
2007-12-12 21:22:29 · answer #6 · answered by pyerzuka 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the doctors know what the problem is then why do you need an MRI scan?
2007-12-12 21:18:39 · answer #7 · answered by aphrodite 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nhs cutbacks - they cost about £900
2007-12-12 21:59:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋