Her 8-month Struggle with a Herniated Disc: Navigating a Broken Healthcare System

Have you ever felt lost in the labyrinth of healthcare bureaucracy? This powerful interview is a stark reminder that we must be our own advocates in today's complex healthcare landscape.

In this emotionally charged conversation, we sit down with a resilient young woman who faced a harrowing eight-month journey with a large herniated disc while battling insurance company denials and misinformed doctors. Her story is a wake-up call for anyone navigating the healthcare system.

This patient generously shares her experiences, challenges, and the invaluable lessons she learned along the way. Her determination to seek appropriate care against all odds serves as an inspiration to us all.

🔷 What you'll discover in this interview:
1️⃣ The shocking obstacles she encountered while trying to access proper care for her herniated disc.
2️⃣ How to empower yourself with knowledge about your herniated disc with sciatica and available treatment options before you visit a doctor.
3️⃣ Practical tips on advocating for best practices for your condition while overcoming insurance hurdles.
4️⃣ Insights into the importance of being your own healthcare quarterback in today's fragmented system.

This interview is a testament to the importance of understanding your healthcare options before stepping into a doctor's office. Knowledge truly is power, and it can be the key to receiving the right care when you need it most.

Don't miss this eye-opening conversation. Hit that "Subscribe" button and ring the notification bell to stay informed about important healthcare topics. Share this video with friends and family, and let's spread awareness about the importance of being our own advocates in the healthcare maze.

🔗 Additional Resources:

Together, we can create a more informed and empowered healthcare community. Watch this interview, and let's start the conversation about taking charge of our healthcare journeys. #herniateddisc #HealthcareAdvocacy #sciatica #PatientAdvocacy #HerniatedDiscAwarenessIf YOU have a question you would like answered fill in the question submission form at:

We get you answers!

[leeleeirv]

Thank you for using your skills to help those with little to no help. 👏👏👏

[jessi]

Sir, I sat in tears looking at this. You are an angel. I am in so much pain and my insurance has treated me the same. It is close to a year and I still do not have a proper diagnosis. I have been to the ER multiple times. Please help 🙏

[nothenwo]

Thank you. I really appreciate the time taken to make these informative videos. The other videos on Best Practice Health have given me a much needed insight into my bilateral stenosis, etc, that I have never received from a neuro/orthopedic surgeons. My many GP's over the years won't even look at my x-rays.

[lainniecashman]

Thank you! I have Kaiser here in Georgia and it is taking me 4 months to get to see a top notch neurosurgeon at Emory. I have a sequestered disc fragment pressing in an area that is pushing on the nerve. I've walked with a walker for months due to instability of my leg and pain. Hopefully I will get relief soon, I see the neurosurgeon in 5 days.

[socjuslaw]

Thank you so much; this video is very helpful.

[anitahendrix]

Just found your videos. Have subscribed. I am 80yo and have back problems since I worked at ohare on the ramp and lifting all you flyers overpacked bags. This was about 1977 have gone through therapy etc usually control with nsaids most everyday. Had a bad episode in August 2019 had X-ray's and then MRI they seemed very concerned so saw neurosurgeon. He didn't say much but did suggestions laminectomy and I told him would think about it. Well had another flareup Mar 2022 more X-ray's and they told me back is the same as in prior experience. Went to pain Dr and he did 2injections they did not help. So am controlling pain with OTC nsaids so far but it is really keeping me from my usual daily living such as gardening, walking my dogs and exercise.

[purushottamrana]

This doctor is so good. I have same issues like her. But I found good pain management dr in Kaiser

[abdullahalshehri]

Thank you for making such helpful video. I have been battling this for over two years and really just getting more disappointed in the medical system. But I can’t keep up with the level of pain I have “adapted”.
This gives me hope that hood docs exist. I am hopeful to find one for a consultation near where I live in Seattle. Thank you 🙏🏽

[KyDairyGoats]

Thank you for comments about weight and steroids. After her surgery when she feels better weight loss will come because she will feel like being active.

[TheBebelass]

I so love this man, and learning so much from him, you sure don't want to visit Ireland, will treat you to some Guinness :) I hope this lady gets the right treatment.

[sirensong]

Hello Dr. I am so glad I found you. I am 59 year old female with spinal stenosis- I’ve had two fusions- c4-7 and L1 L 2, and L4 and 5- this was in 2016- I’m wondering what you think of RFA for pain relief? -

[James-liky]

Dude i can’t hardly walk from slow onset cauda equina syndrome i believe and I can’t even get an MRI!?!? They wanted physical therapy BEFORE AND MRI and I told them I can’t do it in not able to do anything basically without severe pain especially in the mornings or after I lay down for a while. Its like sciatica plus sone kind of like pressure/fluid pain in lower spine. Im going on 4-6 years of this now and everytime I go to a doctor (I’ve tried several of them) and Whatever I say no matter how hard I try it’s the same routine, draw blood, ANOTHER x-ray x3, and maybe muscle relaxers one time, physical therapy another and just in origin this last time? I’ve spoken to a lot of other people and EVERYONE of them agree that it’s the cauda equina syndrome? Which from my understanding is an emergency situation right?? 😢😢 I’m almost in tears writing this bc I CANNOT get a simple MRI just to properly diagnose this problem and get it fixed I read it can and will cause tumors and cancer etc. I don’t want to die bc I couldn’t get an image done to show what’s really going on.

[mvp]

Good informative video. If I can ask doc, my situation is something similar, I have a l5 s1 extrusion herniated disk, but after epidural injection my Pain went away, but when do you think surgery is really needed..

[anitahendrix]

I have been watching a lot of your videos and have found them so informative. I would like to ask you have you any view on the ultrasonic procedure for stenosis of the low back?? A Dr in Florida seems to have great success with it and with that you don't need to have the laminectomy. Sure would like to give it a try before I do anything more invasive.

[sbarwick]

Would love to know how she’s doing now

[CrochetCrime]

I have had a very similar story. I would love to get your opinion about my MRI. My pain & tingling is getting worse. (Started last Nov). Oral steroids, PT, chiropractor, 2 epidurals & facet injection, etc, etc… I felt better when I saw neurosurgeon in July (post epidural). Said I would need a fusion if numbness tingling returns.
Called this week and I can’t get appointment until end of October. Hx of anterior fusion/dissectomy of C-4-7 12/2011.

[Mr.pink_]

About a month ago I suffered from pain in my lower back, a few days later I felt numbness in one of the toes on my right foot. The orthopedist gave me a very short physical examination on the spot and said that it was probably a bulging disc, he gave me an injection of what I think was steroids but I'm not sure and recommended a conservative treatment of rest and very moderate exercise. It's been a month since then and the finger is still numb, in terms of the back there is pain but really mild and mostly a feeling that something is wrong there. My leg has never hurt, certainly not as people describe, but the feeling of numbness does not go away and sometimes gets worse in the foot. My question is whether to continue with conservative treatment? Are performing stretches such as back extension, hanging on a bar, etc. really effective and release pressure from the spine? Can tools like a back stretcher and a back belt help in recovery? Thank you so much for everything you do I appreciate you.

[ilikejelly]

I live in Scotland and wish you were my doctor. I have 8mm Chiari(which they have just told me I not getting surgery) . They are giving me surgery next month for C3 slip, C4 C5 C6 stenosis They are doing a laminectomy but fusion not mentioned although it was only quick phone call to say what they doing and when. Would u expect them to do fusion automatically or would there be a reason they wouldn't do it. ? Also I have very bad pain mid lower back, bottom, legs, feet, with tingling mild numbness, cramps . Can't stand for long, have to sit, but when I sit my nerve pain horrid, I am in a catch 22.I cant lie face down or any type of extension and no plantar flex with feet, bad cramps.Will I get relief in bottom half of body afterCervical decompression? .I did have injections in L5 S1 facet joints 8 years ago, didn't help but they say it mild but I want to cry daily Thank you for all you do . Michelle

[nmkkannan]

I have my shoulders dislocated 10 days back, its was on the morning when I wake up from sleep found my left-hand paining and not able to move, it took 5 to 6 hours for the doctor to put it back. Again, next day which removing my tshirt for shower, I got it 2nd time, again fixed by the doctor. We have consulted a few doctors all of them recommended for a surgery that involves screws, one of the the doctors recommended to start with physiotherapy, as I have both anterior and posterior, even after the surgery I can get dislocated, and I have to get used to it. Is there any permanent solution for this problem? I have already started my physiotherapy

[aaaaaaa]

IMPRESSION:

*Bilateral lumbarisation of S1 vertebra

*Paramedian and foraminal broad based protrusion at L5/S1 with indentationon thecal sac, both neural foramina and abutting the exiting nerve root.

* Diffuse annular bulge at L4-L5 and S1-52 with indentation on thecal sac..

Screening of rest of the spine:

*Loss of cervical lordosis

*Screening of sacro-iliac joint appears normal.

This my mri sir