Any idea on severe pain?

Jenn said:

Hi all, This past Thursday I awoke with very severe left lower back pain that extended around to my
left leg. I ended up going to the ER, my gallbladder enzymes were a little high, but only by a few
points. They ran tests for kidney stones, nothing came up. When I take Darvocet or muscle relaxers
it eases off, but only for a couple of hours. Any ideas? I see my regular doctor today.

Jenn

You may have a herniated disc. After your regular doctor sees you, he may want to refer you to a
neurologist or neurosurgeon for a consultation.

Best,

Bob

Robert A. Fink, M.D., FACS, P. C. 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 USA

Telephone: 510-849-2555 FAX: 510-849-2557 <http://www.rafink.com>

"Ex Tristitia Virtus"

--------------------------------------
NOTE: The above message is not to be considered as "medical advice". Medical advice can be given
only after a "hands-on" examination of the patient by a physician.

========================================

Sending someone to a neuro or a neurosurgeon for first time radicular pain is pretty ridiculous.
He/she needs to lie in bed and do flexion exercises for a bit. The patient would have been better
off seeing the correct primary care doctor.

Robert A. Fink said:

Jenn said:

Hi all, This past Thursday I awoke with very severe left lower back pain that extended around to
my left leg. I ended up going to the ER, my gallbladder enzymes were a little high, but only by a
few points. They ran tests for kidney stones, nothing came up. When I take Darvocet or muscle
relaxers it eases off, but only for a couple of hours. Any ideas? I see my regular doctor today.

Jenn

You may have a herniated disc. After your regular doctor sees you, he may want to refer you to a
neurologist or neurosurgeon for a consultation.

Best,

Bob

Robert A. Fink, M.D., FACS, P. C. 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 USA

Telephone: 510-849-2555 FAX: 510-849-2557 <http://www.rafink.com>

"Ex Tristitia Virtus"

--------------------------------------
NOTE: The above message is not to be considered as "medical advice". Medical advice can be given
only after a "hands-on" examination of the patient by a physician.

========================================

"Kent H." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Sending someone to a neuro or a neurosurgeon for first time radicular pain is pretty ridiculous.
He/she needs to lie in bed and do flexion exercises for a bit. The patient would have been better
off seeing the correct primary care doctor.

Robert A. Fink said:

Jenn said:

Hi all, This past Thursday I awoke with very severe left lower back pain that extended around
to my left leg. I ended up going to the ER, my

gallbladder

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

enzymes were a little high, but only by a few points. They ran tests

for

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

kidney stones, nothing came up. When I take Darvocet or muscle

relaxers it

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

eases off, but only for a couple of hours. Any ideas? I see my

regular

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

doctor today.

Jenn

You may have a herniated disc. After your regular doctor sees you, he may want to refer you to a
neurologist or neurosurgeon for a consultation.

Best,

Bob

Robert A. Fink, M.D., FACS, P. C. 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-
2636 USA

Telephone: 510-849-2555 FAX: 510-849-2557 <http://www.rafink.com>

"Ex Tristitia Virtus"

--------------------------------------
NOTE: The above message is not to be considered as "medical advice". Medical advice can be
given only after a "hands-on" examination of the patient by a physician.

========================================

Thank you both for your answers. Ends up it's my colon spasming, I'm not getting enough fiber and my
diet is awful. I think it's time to possibly see a gastro...

Kent H. said:

Sending someone to a neuro or a neurosurgeon for first time radicular pain is pretty ridiculous.
He/she needs to lie in bed and do flexion exercises for a bit. The patient would have been better
off seeing the correct primary care doctor.

Wrong. Somebody has to do a proper neurological examination to make sure that there is no
significant neurological deficit. Most non-neurology-types don't know how to do that properly.

If there is deficit, delaying treatment can lead to irreversible

dysfunction.

Best,

Bob

Robert A. Fink, M.D., FACS, P. C. 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 USA

Telephone: 510-849-2555 FAX: 510-849-2557 <http://www.rafink.com>

"Ex Tristitia Virtus"

--------------------------------------
NOTE: The above message is not to be considered as "medical advice". Medical advice can be given
only after a "hands-on" examination of the patient by a physician.

========================================

"Robert A. Fink, M. D." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Kent H. said:

Sending someone to a neuro or a neurosurgeon for first time radicular pain is pretty ridiculous.
He/she needs to lie in bed and do flexion exercises for a bit. The patient would have been better
off seeing the correct primary care doctor.

Wrong. Somebody has to do a proper neurological examination to make sure that there is no
significant neurological deficit. Most non-neurology-types don't know how to do that properly.

If there is deficit, delaying treatment can lead to irreversible

Quoted message said:

dysfunction.

Best,

Bob

Bob, There is no back injury here...

Quoted message said:

Robert A. Fink, M.D., FACS, P. C. 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 USA

Telephone: 510-849-2555 FAX: 510-849-2557 <http://www.rafink.com>

"Ex Tristitia Virtus"

--------------------------------------
NOTE: The above message is not to be considered as "medical advice". Medical advice can be given
only after a "hands-on" examination of the patient by a physician.

========================================

Jenn said:

Bob, There is no back injury here...

If there is radicular pain, there is injury to a nerve root.

Best,

Bob

Robert A. Fink, M.D., FACS, P. C. 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 USA

Telephone: 510-849-2555 FAX: 510-849-2557 <http://www.rafink.com>

"Ex Tristitia Virtus"

--------------------------------------
NOTE: The above message is not to be considered as "medical advice". Medical advice can be given
only after a "hands-on" examination of the patient by a physician.

========================================