I need medical help and cannot get it

[Monacoach]

In Canada you must be refered to a specialist by a general doctor but it it can be any doctor. We have walk in clinics everywhere. Is this just a case of trying to bipass the middleman? If I called a specialist they would tell me the same as what u were told. As mentioned earlier did u call your doctor for advice?

[jmagic]

Hiker, where is the pinched nerve located? I have had this condition for 30 yrs. My pinched nerve is between upper 6 & 7. Originally received 6 weeks of physical therapy and it did the trick for a few yrs. Condition is from degenerative arthritis. Over the yrs several more trips to physical therapy. Now have a portable Sanders unit for stretching neck and it works great. Deep tissue message also is amazing for relief. Your Dr. can set you up with PT and you can go from there. Just my experience, hope it helps.

[OldHiker]

Thanks for all the input, but it has gone off course. The second ER that I went to in Indio, CA, gave me a prescription for a DOSEPAK 21. It was a steroid type medicine that I took 6 pills the first day, 5 pills the next, 4 the next until it was all gone. End of pain. But, I have weakness in my right hand, loss of range of motion in my ring finger of my right hand. Pinched nerve was in my right shoulder blade. I'm concerned it could get worse.

Secondly, I am covered by Medicare and Humana PPO picks up my supplement. I can go out of network.

My son put it out on the social media and I have the phone number for a Patient Advocate from the University of New Mexico that employs most of the neurologists and neurosurgeons in the area. I will be there next week and hopefully will get help.

[Old Car Nut]

The big problem generally with seeing a specialist is they are always booked up. It takes a while to get in, especially new patients. Also, many offices limit the number of Medicare patients they take because Medicare has ALWAYS paid them pennies on the dollar. If they have too many at once they go bankrupt. PM me and I will tell you about a surgical/hospital bill of $128K of which Medicare/Humana paid all of 27K. This for heart surgery that went sideways.

The OP is just going to have to stay put for a while and work their way in. Going to the ER is not going to solve the issue and one should never fib about symptoms. Do you think these highly trained folks wont figure that out in short order?

Will only get worse as doctors choose to retire rather than work for next to nothing under this new system created by people who know zip about healthcare and have never run a business.

[Forest Grump]

Is it just me or am I a little far out. Being 70+ we have Medicare. Having had some issues in the past we have a Medicare supplement through AARP. Having had some really nasty issues in the past we have the top tier program. We budget for this as a primary necessity.

Pinched nerves, lack of movement, pacemakers, arthritis, diabetes, chronic diseases it comes with the territory. Health first, RV second. If u are over 65 and full time, without a home base or family doc/ primary physician guess what you chose the lifestyle. You need to fit into the medical system it is not necessarily going to mold to your needs.

Don't have a cardiologist, over 65 you should, get one, a good one somewhere where u spend some time each year. They are internists - have a problem on the road call them normally they can refer you, mine does. Let him/her know four lifestyle.

Be very careful of these stretching devices. Learn to exercise within your capabilities. Don't go to extremes. Don't self diagnose, your probably wrong.

PLAN!

[OldHiker]

I have a regular/primary care doctor. I see a cardiologist and a urologist once a year. I go to a regular dentist as well as a periodontist. Problem is they are all in Daytona Beach. When I am there in the winter, I make the rounds. Before I leave they all give me the ok. The pinched nerve came about a month after I left Florida and was in California.

[Forest Grump]

Try a heat patch, 12 hour. Maybe you can get your primary care doc to fax a drugstore a prescription for a muscle relaxant. The cortisone seemed to work for awhile which probably means you are irritating it. Rest it for a couple weeks.

Neurologist can't do much more other than bill you.

[easywind]

For whatever it's worth I have blue cross blue shield, the VA and medicare yet I do all my doctoring in Mexico. Doctors there will see you on a moments notice, are interested in getting you well, have reasonable prices especially if not in a tourist area, are smart and will help you. As I said for whatever it's worth.

[Rusty years]

A pinched nerve is common and it will get better in time. Meanwhile, you suffer but you can do things to alleviate the pain. Get a few messages, find a chiropractor. I also recommend Laser Spine Institute for a diagnosis of your spine. Learn yoga to keep you limber.

[OldHiker]

Thanks for all the input. Just went to a chiropractor here in Albuquerque. As several people have mentioned, exercise is the key. Wish the ER doctors had explained this to me, I might be recovered by now.

[Rusty years]

Originally Posted by OldHiker

Thanks for all the input. Just went to a chiropractor here in Albuquerque. As several people have mentioned, exercise is the key. Wish the ER doctors had explained this to me, I might be recovered by now.

Keep in mind that MDs are mostly just drug pushers. Learn alternative care.

[twinboat]

Most ER Drs. will refer you to YOUR Dr. for follow up.

If they don't, it will be in your discharge papers.

They are there for emergencies, not follow up care.

[pismocouple]

Urgent care is the answer...