Sometimes it is structural

[Meu-retired]

Here is my dilema: my partner is beginning to turn into TMS and Dr Sarno, but after having horrific back pain for 4 months the doctors want to operate, this is the MIR she had:
Imaging Tests:
Patient: A 65-year-old patient who consults for acute, limiting, and invalidating intense lumboradicular pain.

Medical History (A.P.):

No known drug allergies (No RAMC). No relevant medical-surgical history for the current process.

Physical Examination (E.F.):

Presents with mechanical lower back pain, contracture, and antalgic position.

Presents neurogenic claudication of a few hundred meters.

Intense sciatica of a few weeks of evolution.

No clear objective deficit (perhaps 4+/5 for dorsiflexion).

No reported alterations of perineal sensitivity or sphincter control.

Imaging Tests:

• Discopathies with listhesis and instability at the L3 to L5 levels.

• Spinal canal, lateral recess, and foraminal stenosis in the three most affected levels in varying degrees of severity.

• Discrete right posterolateral-foraminal hernia at L5-S1.

Commentary and Plan:

In view of the imaging findings and the clinical presentation, the diagnosis of MULTILEVEL SPINAL CANAL STENOSIS AND INSTABILITY is established.

The surgical indication is established as STABILIZATION AND DECOMPRESSION L3-L5.

apparently it is urgent that she gets surgery or the nerve damage can be greater.
There is my dilema: There are cases where surgery is the only option!? Apparently this is such a case and i could be hurting her by delaying the operation and trying to work with her on TMS? I feel guilty, what if I am wrong and surgery IS THE only way out? Sometimes it is so right?

should i close my mouth and let her proceed with the surgery?

I am lost here..

thanks

 

[JanAtheCPA]

I know this is frustrating,@Meu-retired, but we really can't comment on medical findings here, and you'll never find someone with exactly the same diagnosis. However, you CAN encourage your partner to consult a TMS doctor, most of whom will consult at a distance after receiving and reviewing complete medical transcripts. It's not cheap if insurance doesn't cover it.

I don't know the consultation status of David Hanscom MD these days, but as a former back surgeon for many years for Swedish Medical in Seattle, he can either do the consult or make a recommendation. Dr Howard Schubiner MD definitely consults remotely but I think is more of a generalist. You can find them or perhaps someone locally in the practitioner directory at
https://www.symptomatic.me/practitioner-directory#!directory/map/ord=rnd

Good luck!

 

[Rusty Red]

A forum friend just had a great consult with Dr. Schubiner, she was very pleased. Another vote for checking him out. He is a bit pricey but she felt it was well worth it.