Ahhh, I am POed.

[aspen13]

I know I need to relax, but I am so POed right now.

My arm is in severe pain, it has been for eight years, it makes me cry sometimes it hurts so bad.

I finally saw an orthopedic doctor and had an MRI. Last week he told me I have a cyst that needs tobe drained. I asked im about another part I read in the report (he didn't know I had it) and he told me it's nothing to worry about - but we have heard that before. So I made an appointment to get the cyst drained, which isn't until Sept 3rd. I sent him a message on Monday asking about the cyst and asking for more information on the rest of the report.

He hasn't called or e-mailed. So I called the department today and they said he put a note in my file that he would talk to me about the MRI report when I saw him on Sept 3rd. Meanwhile I have been checking my e-mail several times a day waiting/hoping for a reply...what a jerk! He couldn't even send me a sentance letting me know.

So I told the guy I am really disappointed. I then asked for a 2nd opinion, the soonest they have is Sept 10th...! I know I shouldn't compain, but my arm hurts so much!!

I did e-mail the Physical Medicine doctor my MRI report and she said she didn't think the cyst was causing all of my arm pain. So of course I want to know what else it could be, which is what I want to talk to the doctor about.

Ahhh, I tempted to take the rest of the day off and go down to the hospital and demand help.

[Janice]

Have you tried researching the information on the MRI yourself? I hate to even say this but I've been there myself, sometimes medical staff have the thought of "if you waited this long, it's not a true emergency". As for continuing to look for any communication, the nurse most likely informed him that she spoke w/you and most docs are so busy they might consider that sufficient. Basically, no matter who relayed the information, you were advised.

There's really no need for a 2nd opinion wi/Kaiser. Unless you're getting the opinion from outside the network, it's useless. They're not going to go against each other, does that make sense? It's not like other HMO's where the docs, and facilities, might be separate entities. No matter where you go, it's still Kaiser.

No point in wasting your time off work either. You'd come out better using the information you have to research what's going on.

I know I didn't help much but hope there's something you can put to use here. You could speak to the doc, or upper management wi/Kaiser, to see if you can get the date for draining pushed up. Let them know how severely painful this is for you and that it's really causing an impact in your daily work routine.

Take care,

[aspen13]

Thanks Janice for the reply. It's so hard to find good doctors.
I have, but it’s very vague. I have had a hard time finding information. The nurse just called me and said the doctor isn’t in the office today, so don’t expect a call back. She said she would try to get me an appointment sooner. She said the MRI report means calcification of the bone, but I don’t know what that means.

The MRI said my “mild Heterogeneity of the bone marrow of the lunate bone”.

Heterogeneity = structural variation also called Heterogeneous

So my PCP said my lunate bone looks different then the other bones, the ortho doctor said I have white spots on the bone, the nurse said the white spots could be calcification.

I joined a group for people with Keinbock’s, which is something I think it could be. But I haven’t really gotten much information from there.

My PCP also said my ulna and radius are spaced far apart, but I haven’t had an MRI of the rest of the arm. It’s so true about wasting a day off, that is how I feel most doctor appointments go, lol. I walk out confused and feeling neglected, and angry that I wasted my time.

With my husbands work we have the option of switching to another provider. But I like my Neurosurgeon with Kaiser.

[Janice]

It seems there's a mild structural change in the bone marrow (flexible tissue found in the hollow interior of bones) of the lunate bone (wrist bone).

White spots on a bone scan, also called cold spots, are evidence of abnormal bone metabolism, according to the Mayo Clinic.

You might only need to increase the amount of calcium intake in your diet. I do know that too much calcium can be a bad thing also, so your doctor (or a nutritionist) might be helpful in guiding you toward an amount that would beneficial to you. It seems it's something you could wait to speak with your doctor about on the 3rd.

We have all been given reason to find distrust in our doctors, especially in regard to tests and results. In this case, my opinion would be to follow your doctor's directive once you have a chance to discuss it with him.

Take care, I hope the drain does help to eliminate the arm pain you've been experiencing.

P.S. I really liked Kaiser, and my doctors there. We had to change to PPO because of the emergency situation, leading to dx, back in 06. I then wanted to keep the docs responsible for managing my care, and medical reporting for SSDI and long term disability carrier.