MRI request prior to this one was DENIED and nobody told me.

[Ladyhawk]

I've been waiting for a year for a follow-up MRI of my cervical and lumbar spine. A 2002 MRI shows two disc herniations and bone spurs. I've been in chronic pain since February of that year. I tried physical therapy, TENS units, heat and cold, etc., but my neck and arms constantly throb, tingle and go numb. Last year my lower back started hurting, too...and the right side of my right thigh goes numb or tingly at frequent intervals.

I finally decided I needed a more permanent solution, so last year I asked two different doctor to order another MRI of my cervical spine, as well as an MRI of my lumbar region. I needed the MRI so the neurosurgeon could see how my degenerative disc disease has progressed since 2002. But for some unfathomable reason, even though I had all the symptoms and another MRI to show something was really wrong, Medi-Cal declined the MRI request.

AND NOBODY TOLD ME!!!!

I contacted my doctors at least once a month to inquire, but no one could tell me what was wrong. During this time, my neurosurgeon quit the clinic and I had to get another referral. I went to see the new neurosurgeon in early December. Finally, some kind of approval has been granted, but Medi-Cal reserves the right to change what was requested by the doctor. I'm afraid they aren't going to let me know what's wrong with my lumbar spine...or that they'll figure the 2002 MRI is good enough to use as a guide to operate on my neck.

Jesus. :mad:

Why does our health care system have to suck so badly? At this rate, I may not have the option of surgery until summer when I need to swim and hike to revitalize my energy and heal my emotional turmoil.

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

If they want to schedule surgery in the summer, I don't know what I'll do. Some days I feel fine. Other days I can't even get out of bed. I need the mountains and the lakes. I need the ocean filled with wildlife of all kinds.

It's weird, but on days when I feel OK, I think, "I don't need surgery. I'll be OK." Then a few bad days will hit and I wish someone would just shoot me. Sigh.