diabetes Radiculopathy Progressed Into Neuropathy?

[rpowell01]

I've been researching this but can't find anything. I've been seeing a Pain Management and Neurosurgeon facility since Sept-October 2014. They decided to give me an EMG yesterday because of the pain and numbness/tingling I have. The pain started down my buttocks into the bottom of my feet and toes back in 2012. Currently I have loss of sensation that has wrapped around to the top of my feet and up into my shins. After the EMG the MD said he had to put everything together for his report and will call me back in for the FULL results. He did say his initial results are that if I only had L5-S1 Bilateral Radiculopathy in 2013 then its getting worse and has progressed into Neuropathy.

I've read in the past on the differences of these two things. Radiculopathy means one nerve is being pinched and Neuropathy means that more than one nerve is DAMAGED.

So my question is how can Radiculopathy progress into Neuropathy? BTW I am not diabetic and never have been. See the Regional Office approved me IU but denied my legs and I and I am thinking they were "hoping" I would get diabetes so they could say "We can't distinguish between the two"....Yes I read this exact phrase on my wife's Uncle Report from a claim.

See I started seeing this Neurologist/Neurosurgeon place because the VA has done NOTHING to properly treat my spine condition. The only thing they did was in 2013 was to send me out for ESI in Clearwater, FL. That was the WRONG treatment because I have DJD and little DDD even though I herniated a disc back in 2012. Now whenever I asked my VA PCP through secure message on declaring me P&T he said no he can't do that. Don' t worry Dr. Bash has already done this and Voc Rehab has declared me unemployable. Anyway my VA PCP had the nerve to tell me that one of James A. Haley PM specialists stated that I had "too many cooks" for my treatment. What such BS (Jesus please forgive me for saying that).

First I was having Thyroid issues that my VA PCP refused to treat me even after 2-3 blood results showed high Thyroid levels since 2013 so now I see my private PCP. Second the VA pain management wasn't doing anything, nothing to help me, nothing. I couldn't even see a surgeon after I requested it to PM. So whenever I finally was able to qualify for medicare I decided to go see a private PM facility. But the VA PM had the nerve to say "too many cooks"?

Guess what I am going to file a complaint with the IGs office because the Neurologist in Pain Management who improperly treated me wrote up a report stating he did a full exam on me. Guess what he never did that exam, I secured messaged PM at James A. Haley about this and secured messages shows he he called me back after I caught him in a lie after reading over the report. He calls me back in to finally do a proper exam. He lied and this is unethical. How many other veterans have been treated this way from James A. Haley?

See, I've complained and complained and complained about my low back and lower extremity issues and James A. Haley with no results. Luckily I secure message everything.

[spearhead91]

Off to ortho for my knee I go..taking my SMR's for all my knee/back/neck issues. I see the pain management DR next week for my check up. How do you go about seeing a neuroligist? Just request or find one? I dont' think I need a referral with private medical ins...I'm not in the VA health care yet...tried today but silly form would not open in browser right to do the initial online form.

Update: Couple of x-rays done ..arthritis left knee and right hip. Now wait MRI for left knee.

Edited June 24, 2015 by spearhead91

[rpowell01]

What pisses me off is I filed claims on my legs, one leg in 2011 and one leg in 2012. Dr. Bash did the IMO and then another one in 2013. What does the St Pete RO do? They approve me TDIU but denied me bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy EVEN AFTER they had the 2013 EMG to show proof I had. Dr. Bash diagnosed this in 2012 believe it or not. He didn't need an EMG, he knows his stuff believe me. He is a totally different person in person than he is on the phone, funny but true. Anyway I am going to submit this as evidence along with the 2013 EMG that I feel somebody has hidden it from the St Pete RO. I say this because Social Security didn't even get a clear copy of it. As a word of advice get on myheathevet, sign up for premium access, then each month retrieve your medical records. The only con about myhealthevet is you can't retrieve EMG reports for some odd reason which I have yet to find out why. Other advice, don't call your VA Doctors, secure message them on myhealthevet because then once submitted and replied to then its on paper. Understand?

I am NOT blaming the VA FULLY about this, I am blaming the Federal Government also such as Congress and the President. Why you wonder? New members on here might not realize that the VA has issues keeping Neurosurgeons on staff. Example: Whenever I was in the Bay Pines System in St Pete from 2008-2012 they did NOT have Neurosurgeon on staff!!!!!!!!!!!! And still today they do not have Neurosurgeons on staff. They utilize one contractor that outsources the surgeries to the "lowest bidder". My Uncle In-Law just had cervical surgery and now he has arm jerks. In the Rehab center the VA sent him to he ended up with Staph Infection in his NECK because of the rehab people. Yes I informed him and my aunt of filing a 1151 claim but we will have to wait until he gets home. The Surgery was so bad that his spinal cord got infected from the surgery meaning the surgeon was awful and didn't know what he/she was doing, period. I informed my uncle and aunt of their rights and to bring him home. They did but he kept falling so he was taken back up there to FINALLY have another surgery to correct the issues. He is doing a lot better. This is one in just millions of cases the way the VA does people.

Myself I informed my VA PCP that since James A. Haley utilizes MDs, surgeons and interns from University of South Florida that I believe I should have or need to be sent to Davis Island at the USF Medical Center on the VA's Tab. He told me he knows I have been suffering for a long time and he wanted the new EMG so he can do whatever he can.

I am praying and hoping they will send me over there or to Tampa General because I know James A. Haley is also lacking Neurosurgeons big time. Think about it, if you were a Neurosurgeon would you want to work with the VA? Less salary, less retirement and less benefits? You better believe it you would not work for the VA. I don't blame them.

Does anybody remember all these cards they sent out to millions of veterans? Look how much money that was wasted to print these cards, and the paper and postage but only to find out they were worthless to use.

I only ask the VA to give me P&T and I will get Tricare and go get proper treatment. Right now I just have medicare and its just too darn expensive with the 20% payment that I have to pay for these shots I have had. I don't have that kind of money. I want what is earned and the St Pete RO is not giving it to me but they have something that is going to come at them very soon. A request that the Rater to CUE himself/herself for not connecting the radiculopathy even after Dr. Bash's NEXUS (2 of them), an EMG all showed I have them from my Lumbar issues. Also a nice letter of Evidence will be coming also. I have hard times concentrating so I hope I do good in writing it.

[ArNG11]

Folks I empathize with you guys so bad. I'm understand your pain and I understand the lack of treatment regarding this type of injury. It (insert colorful metaphors here) sucks and Im aware and understand what lies ahead. I don't want to think about it much less discuss it, but I know the reality of my circumstances. I've been trying for years now to get VA to do something worth while, been denied most inquiries and treatments and spine consults, have had to go through my private insurance to make real progress. In any case, I am looking for info and feedback, surgery is not something I want but I am at that breaking point, frankly, been there for a couple of years now, what has worked for you, and what avenues did you take to get there, what's worked and what hasn't?

[Andyman73]

ANG11,

I've been just doing the OTC meds, for many years. I had an 8 yr span of no treatment for my feet. I started getting billed directly from the VA, so I stopped going. Told them I should not be billed for SCD even if they dont see it that way. Said that they can forward my bills to my congressman. I got a letter from the VA stating that my plantar fasciitis caused heel spurs are not SC, so I was on the hook. I said the VA Podiatrist told me that the PF causes heel spurs, and that's why I have them. And, why after 3-4 years of steady treatment, now I get billed? The last orthotic inserts lasted 5 years. And I only just mentioned it to my PCP cuz I was feeling new/different pain in my feet. Long story short, back in early May the benefits counselor at my VAMC put in a claim for "foot condition to include plantar fasciatis." I sent the RO a complete copy of all VA treatment records,..about 25-30 pages worth. It shows multiple issues of custom orthotics, over the years, injection of meds in the foot, which then caused nerve damage. So now I am just waiting for the C&P to be scheduled for that. My undiagnosed MH issues overwhelmed me, so I couldn't even think of doing this, years ago. And I am only on Hadit a few months now...so...now I am learning to stand up again.

[ArNG11]

Andyman I understand , read you Lima Charlie. My leg pain is getting worse, numbness and tingling is happening in most positions, either standing or sitting and it's quite depressing. I had an EMG done last year, but it didn't reveal much other than mild neuropathy on both legs however other exams such as private exam from physician, specialists, and functional capacity tests indicate otherwise. The evidence is there and I'm not too concerned, just needing people higher than the regional office to actually weigh and give the evidence and symptoms it's proper weight and relevance, oh and applying the proper laws and regulations. All I keep saying in my head is to keep moving, keep hurting, when things start to stay numb and tingly is when I start to get edgy. Sucks all to desert sands.

[ArNG11]

rpowell been a while. I've read several posts on Dr. Bash and while I don't doubt his expertise and credentials how expensive was your claim. If you don't mind me asking. I'm Leary as he VA has ignored most evidence and the private reports and FCE that I've sent in, including their own DBQ,s and my private DBQ,s. I've used Ellis and my private doc and it only yielded a 10% increase,the rest was from sequential later claims.

What pisses me off is I filed claims on my legs, one leg in 2011 and one leg in 2012. Dr. Bash did the IMO and then another one in 2013. What does the St Pete RO do? They approve me TDIU but denied me bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy EVEN AFTER they had the 2013 EMG to show proof I had. Dr. Bash diagnosed this in 2012 believe it or not. He didn't need an EMG, he knows his stuff believe me. He is a totally different person in person than he is on the phone, funny but true. Anyway I am going to submit this as evidence along with the 2013 EMG that I feel somebody has hidden it from the St Pete RO. I say this because Social Security didn't even get a clear copy of it. As a word of advice get on myheathevet, sign up for premium access, then each month retrieve your medical records. The only con about myhealthevet is you can't retrieve EMG reports for some odd reason which I have yet to find out why. Other advice, don't call your VA Doctors, secure message them on myhealthevet because then once submitted and replied to then its on paper. Understand?

I am NOT blaming the VA FULLY about this, I am blaming the Federal Government also such as Congress and the President. Why you wonder? New members on here might not realize that the VA has issues keeping Neurosurgeons on staff. Example: Whenever I was in the Bay Pines System in St Pete from 2008-2012 they did NOT have Neurosurgeon on staff!!!!!!!!!!!! And still today they do not have Neurosurgeons on staff. They utilize one contractor that outsources the surgeries to the "lowest bidder". My Uncle In-Law just had cervical surgery and now he has arm jerks. In the Rehab center the VA sent him to he ended up with Staph Infection in his NECK because of the rehab people. Yes I informed him and my aunt of filing a 1151 claim but we will have to wait until he gets home. The Surgery was so bad that his spinal cord got infected from the surgery meaning the surgeon was awful and didn't know what he/she was doing, period. I informed my uncle and aunt of their rights and to bring him home. They did but he kept falling so he was taken back up there to FINALLY have another surgery to correct the issues. He is doing a lot better. This is one in just millions of cases the way the VA does people.

Myself I informed my VA PCP that since James A. Haley utilizes MDs, surgeons and interns from University of South Florida that I believe I should have or need to be sent to Davis Island at the USF Medical Center on the VA's Tab. He told me he knows I have been suffering for a long time and he wanted the new EMG so he can do whatever he can.

I am praying and hoping they will send me over there or to Tampa General because I know James A. Haley is also lacking Neurosurgeons big time. Think about it, if you were a Neurosurgeon would you want to work with the VA? Less salary, less retirement and less benefits? You better believe it you would not work for the VA. I don't blame them.

Does anybody remember all these cards they sent out to millions of veterans? Look how much money that was wasted to print these cards, and the paper and postage but only to find out they were worthless to use.

I only ask the VA to give me P&T and I will get Tricare and go get proper treatment. Right now I just have medicare and its just too darn expensive with the 20% payment that I have to pay for these shots I have had. I don't have that kind of money. I want what is earned and the St Pete RO is not giving it to me but they have something that is going to come at them very soon. A request that the Rater to CUE himself/herself for not connecting the radiculopathy even after Dr. Bash's NEXUS (2 of them), an EMG all showed I have them from my Lumbar issues. Also a nice letter of Evidence will be coming also. I have hard times concentrating so I hope I do good in writing it.