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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lonely on June 6, 2007, at 23:38:57
I've never been diagnosed with Restless Legs Syndrome before and don't think I have it now either. I don't feel any urge to move my legs except, like others, when staying in one position too long.
I was diagnosed with Sciatica in a major hospital 7 years ago. I think I triggered it again doing heavy lifting but this fad-drive neuro swears it's not sciatica but RLS. The pain is sharp and burning and runs down the back of my left leg to my foot. It got a bit better after exercising in an indoor pool and I don't think RLS would respond to that. I have no need to take dangerous drugs.
The neuro really didn't listen to me at all. I'm quite displeased but am running out of options due to insurance. He goes for all the "fad" tests and diagnoses - sleep study and RLS. I strongly believe that if people don't have it, then he'll invent it for them.
Posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2007, at 11:35:00
In reply to Sciatica versus Restless Legs - fad driven neurolo, posted by Lonely on June 6, 2007, at 23:38:57
I've had sciatica from a ruptured disc and what you have sounds like it. An ER doc I met on the beach at the time said most discs heal by themselves. But I would get an MRI to rule out something else. Love Phillipa
Posted by gardenergirl on June 7, 2007, at 14:38:24
In reply to Re: Sciatica versus Restless Legs - fad driven neurolo » Lonely, posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2007, at 11:35:00
I agree with Phillipa. What you describe sounds like classic sciatica.
I hope you find effective relief. It sounds painful. :(
gg
Posted by Sigismund on June 8, 2007, at 0:56:36
In reply to Sciatica versus Restless Legs - fad driven neurolo, posted by Lonely on June 6, 2007, at 23:38:57
Sciatica is easy enough to test for, and you sound like you have it.
If your neuro is so keen on fads, perhaps he could order an MRI.
Posted by Phillipa on June 8, 2007, at 19:18:02
In reply to Re: Sciatica versus Restless Legs - fad driven neu, posted by Sigismund on June 8, 2007, at 0:56:36
Oh and they usually now treat it with physical therapy was never given a pain pill. Love Phillipa
Posted by Lonely on June 18, 2007, at 0:29:50
In reply to Sciatica versus Restless Legs - fad driven neurolo, posted by Lonely on June 6, 2007, at 23:38:57
Thanks, all, for your support.
Late last week I wrote a letter and faxed it to the neuro. It was polite and genteel - and brought up more med history he was too abrupt and in-a-hurry to hear although I did not state that in the latter. I also corrected his statement in the neuro report that the tingling and numbness wake me up at night and that I felt a need to move - that was not correct.
Part of his report, which probably is standardized, described tests he had run in the office that he absolutely never ran. These were described as "normal." One was a mental status exam w/a score of 30/30. Ok, I've sat in on these and read about them a great deal. If he had run it, I would have recognized it and probably would have passed it just fine. But, in reality he just didn't do it.
I told his secretary that I felt he didn't listen to me (before writing the letter) and she suggested I find another doctor. I asked for a referral but she refused to give any. This guy needs to be called on the line, I think, unless he backs up and reconsiders his diagnosis. I feel I'm being blackballed.
We'll see what happens - if there is any response. Meantime, I see my pcp next week - don't know if I'll get anywhere. Rheumatologists of any worth are hard to see, especially w/my insurance. Also, it seems like they don't want to run MRIs.
Ok, onward and upward!
Posted by gardenergirl on June 18, 2007, at 8:33:55
In reply to Re: Sciatica versus Restless Legs - fad driven neurolo, posted by Lonely on June 18, 2007, at 0:29:50
Hi, sounds like a good approach to this. One thought, if you were billed for tests which were never performed, and your insurance paid for it, report this to the insurance company. They might very well start auditing all of his claims. If he's committing fraud, they will eventually find it. Plus, you shouldn't have to pay for what you didn't receive, either out of your pocket or via insurance premiums.
Good luck,
gg
This is the end of the thread.
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