Trying to determine when I should contact my neurosurgeon’s office.
I got hit in the head in a swim pretty bad. After a couple days I started getting electrical sensations all over: hands, arms, legs, feet. Its been a couple weeks now. I really don’t want to contact the surgeon’s office as I am afraid I will be waisting their time. Had cervical fusion couple years ago due to spinal cord compression. Even prior to surgery I had 2 discs above the fusion that were protruding out to the spinal cord.
About 6 months after surgery I was getting electrical sensations, again all over my body, and my surgeon had me get an MRI. One of the levels protruded out a little more. But he said I was fine for activity anyway. Completed a number of marathons. A year after that I was getting burning or scolding water sensations all over my body. MRI was ordered, oddly the level prior that had protruded out had retracted a bit, but the level above that had protruded out more . Again he said things are fine as far as not needing surgery. Completed an IM. Apparently as long as there is room for the cord to move, surgery isn’t needed.
So these MRIs were a waist of doctor’s time and my money. I want to be on the safe side but I am crying wolf. ?? I do have another IM coming up.
You’re not crying wolf. Crying wolf means you called up your neurosurgeon and made up some stuff to get attention. You’ve got a lot of hardware up there and being cautious is totally understandable. I think it’s best that your neurosurgeon at least knows and you two can have a discussion on whether you need an MRI this time around.
Congratulations on doing all that training and racing after a cervical fusion. Way to go!
Referring to your medical history, I should take these symptoms seriously! I definitely should visit a neurologist or your neurosurgeon to have it diagnosed. Whether a mri is neccesary, you can discus that with your doctor.
Better safe than sorry!
Good luck
Referring to your medical history, I should take these symptoms seriously! I definitely should visit a neurologist or your neurosurgeon to have it diagnosed. Whether a mri is neccesary, you can discus that with your doctor.
Better safe than sorry!
Good luck
Agree here. I think most doctors would advise “If you have symptoms, see a doctor”. Hopefully it costs you a $25 co-pay (or less). Explain that you don’t want to waste time/money with an unnecessary MRI upfront during the visit. If you have a good doc, they’ll understand and will only push for it if necessary.
On a side note, if you have recurring symptoms and your current doctor can’t resolve, consider getting a second opinion. Your doc may be great, but they’re human and the 2nd doctor may catch something that the first missed.