John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15208
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« on: August 28, 2014, 07:12:02 PM » |
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You all know I've been fighting a painful right hip, been going on for eleven months now. To make bad matters worse, I'm also experiencing extreme sciatic pain most of the time. Starts near the top of the right cheek and travels down the outside of the leg to the top of the foot. If you can imagine running a white hot poker down your leg you'll get an idea of how it feels. I FINALLY got the doctor's attention last Monday when I showed up with a cane. Then when he asked me to get on the table the right leg gave out without warning and I went to the floor. He got the message and ordered an MRI of the lower back and referred me to a back specialist, which will most likely result in a series of injections in the back. I've had them before, three times, and they did wonders for me so I'm looking forward to relief again. Per the xrays I have very little arthritis in either hip which surprised him due to my age and told me I'm nowhere near being a replacement candidate. But, the right hip has paper thin cartilage that also has a slight tear in it. All that I've learned to live with, but the nerve pain is totally debilitating. If I kneel down to do something, it's nearly impossible to get back up without some type of assistance; cane, brace, chair, etc.
Re. MRI's, I'm extremely claustrophobic so being stuffed into an open ended coffin is not going to happen. A local company, CDI, has a rather new type of machine that is about a foot wider all the way around. It's only about 3' long and the roof of it is ~12" above your nose. As compared to less than an inch in a regular machine where you're totally immersed with your shoulders squeezed in tight. You feel like you're in a metal straight jacket with no means of escape. This newer one, with my hip and lower back in the center, my head and part of my shoulders will be out. That, I can handle....it's wide open and more roomy than an open MRI machine. Here's hoping I can get this under control by the time good riding season rolls around. I've only been on the bike three times this year, only a couple last Fall. No bicycle riding or golf, at the gym I can only work on the upper body....no leg work. Drives me nuts....and the dr. had the nerve to tell me maybe it means I should slow down a bit. I asked him how old he was, mid-50's, so told him to remember that in 25 years. Ain't gonna happen if he can get me back on two feet again.
Sorry for the rant, just so over all this hip pain putting a damper on life. Plus, if Rita had an emergency by falling or needing some type of physical help, I'd be sunk.
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FloridaValkRyder
Member
Posts: 1677
If your offended , you need a history lesson!!
Apopka, Florida
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« Reply #1 on: August 28, 2014, 07:24:22 PM » |
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I know how hard this has been for you John. Maybe they will finally diagnose what is causing all this pain and finally be able to do something about it. MRI's are pretty freaky to be sure, this smaller, open unit sounds like a better alternative. Be easy on your Dr, your not exactly the typical 75 (or is it 76 now) man you know. I still pray I'm as active as you are at that age. Let me know if you need anything.
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I still miss her.
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15208
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #2 on: August 28, 2014, 07:44:22 PM » |
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76 now++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And counting.  If I could get someone to stay with Rita for two weeks or more next summer I'd ride to InZane. Figure four days at 500 miles each going and coming, plus check a few rabbit trails along the way....especially in my old home town in Iowa. 
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larue
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« Reply #3 on: August 28, 2014, 09:03:33 PM » |
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Hope they found out what's causing this and may be a good fix. As for Rita or you if anything happen dont hesitate to call me I'm only 25 min away.
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Grumpy
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« Reply #4 on: August 28, 2014, 09:14:01 PM » |
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Hoping for the best John, hope they can find and fix the problem. We will keep you in our prayers.
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 Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you’re in it, but the longer you stay in, the more wrinkled you get. |
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Bert AKA,Valkaholic
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« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2014, 04:10:35 AM » |
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We'll Be Praying For You John, Hopefully They Will Find A Solution To Your Lower Back Problems.
Imagine How I Feel When They Put Me In An MRI Machine, And I Have Had Several MRI's In The Past Few Years. They Are Cramped And No Fun At All. I Am Currently Going To A Clinic Every Day For Anti-Biotic Injections And Will Be Doing This For At Least A Month. They Know How To Take Your Money And Keep You Busy At The Same Time.
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« Last Edit: September 03, 2014, 07:11:35 PM by Bert AKA,Valkaholic »
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Life Is A Highway, I Wanna Ride It All Night Long !
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Tundra
Member
Posts: 3882
2014 Valkyrie 1800
Seminole, Florida
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« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2014, 04:13:04 AM » |
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John,
I've had what sounds like the same unbearable crippling pain. At times without any notice it would drop me to the floor. I will send you an email, I stay away from the Dr. office and their symptom masking injections.
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« Last Edit: August 29, 2014, 05:09:27 AM by Tundra »
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If you can't be a good example: be a WARNING!!
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15208
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2014, 05:12:07 PM » |
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Well nuts, the imgaging place called and said to reschedule since they hadn't received the OK from my secondary insurance as being medically necessary. So I called my ins. and asked how long that should take, said 2-3 days max. I asked when they got the order from the doctor; Tuesday. OK folks, this is Friday and your 2-3 days is up. I've been putting up with this for 11 months so will someone go wake up whomever has say-so on this. Then they say "this is new so needs extra attention." So I suggest they look at the last six months and they will see it's not new. Then I ask if I need to call Tallahassee on this since it's a dedicated policy for State employees, not available to everyone. "OK sir, we'll try to rush it through." I'm not holding my breathe, I hate dealing with insurance companies.  |
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Grumpy
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« Reply #8 on: August 29, 2014, 05:58:08 PM » |
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Insurance company's Suck ! When I had the get down in Jan, released from the hospital and had to visit the surgeon the next morning to get the pins checked and another cast put on. Submitted it to the insurance co, and they did not want to pay, said I needed a referral from my family Dr. I blew a gasket, said what the hell, I get hauled in in an ambulance and they want a referral to visit the surgeon that pieced me back together. I raised so much hell with them, they paid all of his visits with out any copay. I think my agent thinks I am a little nutz, I love it.  |
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Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you’re in it, but the longer you stay in, the more wrinkled you get. |
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JimmyG
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« Reply #9 on: August 29, 2014, 08:50:05 PM » |
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Ahhhh, the perks of being a retired Radiology Administrator, CT or MRI's, xrays,etc. can be had as favours owed most of the time. .... I feel for you John, good luck on the "system", and hope they find out and fix what's ailing you. |
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15208
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2014, 08:00:51 AM » |
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Ahhhh, the perks of being a retired Radiology Administrator, CT or MRI's, xrays,etc. can be had as favours owed most of the time. .... I feel for you John, good luck on the "system", and hope they find out and fix what's ailing you. Jimmy, my former wife worked in the Fla. Hosp. ER for a number of years and we got some of the same comps. She also has a huge number of funny stories to tell...and some tragic ones. |
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15208
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #12 on: August 30, 2014, 10:23:30 AM » |
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As I told you yesterday , you sure are bitch-in and moaning a lot lately.......  Hey you old fart...... oops, wrong finger. Meant to use this one! ,|,,  The thought of an MRI must have scared it into remission. Haven't had any pain in nearly 24 hours. Whatever the reason, I'll take it. |
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saddlesore
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« Reply #13 on: August 30, 2014, 01:14:53 PM » |
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As far as your pain goes could it be a bad hip that makes you walk goofy is screwing around with your back? Or could it be your back causing you to walk goofy and hurting your hip?
As for your wife, do you have any organizations like Comfort Keepers or the Visiting Nurses Association in Florida? They could come in for her and/or you if you need help after surgery?
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DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
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JimmyG
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« Reply #14 on: August 31, 2014, 07:24:58 AM » |
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John, I understand about the funny, and sad stories. I could write a book on some of the stuff I've seen and heard. We always were very close to the ER nurses because we were right next door and being a small rural town, not over flowing with employees. We always helped on codes and things , and they would help us with un-ruely patients, etc. I also worked in the big metro hospitals and they can kiss my big toe, bunch of arrogant unfriendly snobs.  |
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15208
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #15 on: August 31, 2014, 08:03:50 AM » |
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As far as your pain goes could it be a bad hip that makes you walk goofy is screwing around with your back? Or could it be your back causing you to walk goofy and hurting your hip?
As for your wife, do you have any organizations like Comfort Keepers or the Visiting Nurses Association in Florida? They could come in for her and/or you if you need help after surgery?
It's a combination of things, but seems to mostly stem from a back injury from years ago. The injury was repeated some years later while on Reserve duty. And with all the disjointed walking, it has the knee fired up. As a kid I learned the hard way why clipping was made illegal in football, it also brought my sprinting career to a quick halt(broke a couple state records, was only in 9th grade). So between the various events over a lifetime of wear and tear, I've now come to this: The right hip has almost no cartilage and has a tear in it, the left is nice and thick. Same for the knee....cartilage is worn and torn. One good thing I have going for me is I have very little to no arthritis in those joints. Can't imagine how it would feel if it were also in the mix. |
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Pappy!
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« Reply #16 on: August 31, 2014, 08:39:49 AM » |
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So when will you figure out your next move?
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reclaimerroger
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« Reply #17 on: August 31, 2014, 09:31:51 AM » |
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John it sounds like you have a lot to get taken care of. Hoping it works out for the best and soon.
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"Vision without action is a daydream; action without vision is a nightmare".
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15208
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #18 on: August 31, 2014, 10:57:16 AM » |
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So when will you figure out your next move?
I'll get the MRI soon as my insurance gives the OK, then see what the dr. suggests. Probably shots in the spine as before, need to get that part under control. Last ones were about 15 yrs. ago so if the next shots last that long, I'll most likely not be here anyway. |
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