Today, we ventured down into NYC--near Union Square, this time--to see a pain and palliative care specialist who is a neurologist by training. We got to town early and had a wonderful time cruising the Christmas Market in the square, but more on that later. I don't think I've ever seen a more depressing waiting room before--discomfort, pain, suffering, and all the attendant emotions clear on their faces and in their postures. I felt healthy in comparison.
The nurse practitioner saw me first, performing all manner of neurological and physical diagnostics and taking a very complete history after reading the various papers I brought along. Then we met the doctor, who performed even more diagnostics. And said he doesn't believe the pain is from the disc. He thinks the disc pain has pretty much resolved itself (which he said right after I managed to touch my hands to the floor!). He believes the pain is in the coccyx. Though, he isn't sure what the relationshipof the herniated disc and the coccyx pain is though they happened together, saying it was a very good question. He had some ideas for prescription medicines (pain killers and nerve blockers) and wants me to see his colleague who specializes in injections (I have an appointment at the end of January). I'd been pretty conservative about what I'd take (so far, no opiates this year), but I'm ready to try something.
So, I'm supposed to see how the pain meds work and to try a bit of sitting, if I can find a comfortable position and don't hurt (i.e. he doesn't think I'll hurt the disc). I'm not exactly cautiously optimistic, just glad there is a new path to try.
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