Mri Question...

[rpowell01]

I need to feedback information I am researching at the moment on possible misreading of MRI results by the VA.

1. Has anybody ever ran into this problem where their MRI was actually misread or you ever heard of it happening?

2. What action was taken on your or the person's part?

Am I allowed to get a copy of the MRI on CD I had last year on my cervical and lumbar so I can have it read by somebody else?

My dilemna is I feel there is a possibility somebody read my MRI and gave some bad results on it. Why? Because whenever I had the VA MRI in May 2010 they stated I only had 3 bulge discs. But, I had all the symptoms of a herniated cervical discs which started January 2010 and got worse by May 2010. In Febuary of this year I had another MRI completed which the results showed 2 bulge discs and one herniated disc. The MRI was done by a privated agency. I actually requested a second reading on the MRI with a different radiologist and the conclusion was the same. Tuesday the Orthopedic Surgeon showed me the herniation. You can clearly see it. BTW I had my first ever cervical ECI done that day. Day 1 I felt really good. Yesterday, I felt okay. Today, my neck stiff once again and it feel the way the symptoms appeared last year is now creating the same pattern now. I was told that it would help me for a few days. I am glad it did but I now it was a dream to get that epidural done. The surgeon said he would try it onetime and if it didn't work they will have to go in. I think I am going to take the chance of letting them do the procedure.

I want to find out if there is a possible CUE so I can file a NOD on my percentage increase claim from last year last year. I am hopefully going to get a new MRI done on my lumbar which is now affecting both my legs, ie numbness in both thighs, pain in my calves and numbness and shocking feeling at the bottom of my feet and toes. The orthopedics did give me Gabapentin 300mg twice a day for everything I hope it helps some...

***EDIT*** I just read what I typed. Sorry for all the typos but this is how it is now affecting me and I didn't want to go back and redo it.

Edited April 16, 2011 by rpowell01

[Berta]

"am researching on WHY the VA didn't detect the herniation last May whenever I had all the symptoms. It is my understanding they outsource the radiologists?"

That is a good question that a real doctor could answer.

It sounds to me like you had 2 C & P docs? or QTC docs? That means they are paid by VA.

But if you had any private treatment or surgery (not controlled by the VA) that is a good question to ask the private doctor.

[rpowell01]

Yep I have seen the private Orthopedic Surgeon this past Monday who said he wanted to try 1 ECI. On Tuesday I had the procedure which btw I will never, ever do again because of a reaction I kind of had and it is still affecting me today. The Orthopedic Surgeon I seen this past Tuesday showed me the Herniation on the privated MRI I had back in February. I did tell him I was concerned with my cervical spine being straight like a 2x4 and he told me they are hoping the ECI will help relieve the muscle spasms causing it. Well, it is Saturday evening and well while a lot of the symptoms have somewhat decreased I can start to feel others such has shortness of breath and chest pains once again. I have found out that the chest pains are actually really small trigger points on the muscles that runs through the space of the ribs. This is why it feels like my heart has the pain but in all reality it doesn't. This is why I have Anxiety. It seems the old pattern is coming back already. I do have pain in my right arm which is baffling them because the MRI showed Left Foraminal Stenosis. I now have more pain in my right arm than any other place. The Orthopedic Surgeon told me that I would only have to go through the ECI onetime if that didn't help then I will go under knife. They both were so assured it would fix the issue but I know it hasn't so far. Don't get me wrong there is a possibility that I might have herniated the disc below the current one. It was bulged and if you look on the MRI it was close to be herniated. I have read on some website that the top herniation will at times cause the bottom one to go also.

I will get the VA MRI and have the private orthopedics compare them for me. If it is seen on the VA MRI guess I will file a complaint with Patient Advocacy.