northerntiger15 said:I am looking for some advice. I have been lifting heavy weights lately, and I’ve been experiencing pain in my abdomen and groin area. Yesterday, a lump about the size of a hazelnut popped up on my abdominal wall, so there isn't much else it could be besides a hernia. I would appreciate any recommendations on where I should go. I've heard various things—maybe a ligament issue, or perhaps a specialist at Saint Catherine's? Also, if anyone has information regarding insurance—specifically whether taking out a policy might cover part of the costs, please let me know. I stay in great shape because I am very active in sports, and I have a ton of housework to get through, so I want to recover as quickly as possible. Thanks.
Alexander Morgan33 said:Because of the pain—initially in my forearm, but now spreading to my hand and upper arm—I went to see a neurologist for an EMG and a radiologist for X-rays of my arm, shoulder, and neck. They suspect it might be related to my vertebrae. I've just been given a referral to see a physiatrist. Does anyone have recommendations for a specialist in Chicago?
Are you looking for private care or through Medicare?
Charles Young56 said:So, I had a fracture in my L3 back in 2013. Since then, I’ve tried basically everything—electrical stim, physical therapy, tons of painkillers... honestly, I still grab some pills now and then when it flares up. My question is, how much can I actually push myself at the gym or get into this whole fitness thing? Obviously, I can't just go in and do every single exercise, and I don't even do them all the time. Even just walking for a long stretch can make my back act up. I guess I was hoping maybe an expert here could give me some advice or point me in the right direction regarding what I should actually be doing.
You should work with a physical therapist to develop a structured exercise program rather than simply heading to a gym on your own.
coastalpanther89 said:It’s not really a "test" per se—the paperwork just says "follow-up" in a week... there's a date listed for the check-up, followed by an expert consultation after that. The diagnosis is a navicular bone fracture in the foot.
I also found it rather peculiar to suggest additional imaging at this particular stage of recovery. Follow-up appointments scheduled for a week out are standard procedure, and I suspect this specialist consultation is simply because the podiatrist only sees patients at that specific clinic on certain days of the week.
coastalpanther89 said:So, here’s my recent experience with Drašković Trauma Hospital... honestly, it was pretty lousy. Last week I went in with a sprained foot—got a brace, then they scheduled a follow-up for ten days later. The problem is, the date they put on my discharge papers is one I absolutely cannot make. I tried asking for a different slot, and the doctor actually went as far as sketching out a recommendation for me to just go to a hospital closer to where I live if the appointment time didn't work out. In my case, that would be Mount Sinai Hospital. But he wouldn't budge on the date—his reasoning was basically, "We take patients from all over the US, so we can't just pick times based on everyone's personal schedule." Okay... wow. I mean, maybe that's just how they operate, or maybe this place is strictly for emergencies and follow-ups should be handled locally—who knows? So, I went to Mount Sinai to try and book an appointment there, only to get turned away because they don't take over treatment started at a different hospital... It's a total loop. I’m sure there are wonderful doctors at Drašković Trauma Hospital, I really am, but when you have physicians who treat patients like they're complete idiots... it just tarnishes the whole profession. Reading through everyone else's stories here, I honestly don't know how anyone is supposed to win, because a bad doctor with that kind of unprofessional attitude can cause damage that stays with you for years. Does anyone know of a private facility that does the same thing as Drašković but is located in Chicago?
What specific type of examination are you referring to? Follow-up appointments are typically conducted at set intervals, and if a specific need arises, scheduling is usually coordinated based on when the specialist for that particular body part is available in the clinic (since different specialists rotate through the outpatient department on different days of the week).
The Holy Spirit is fine, and Rib is also quite good; they even have coverage over at Trauma... Acupuncture yields excellent results provided it is performed by a true specialist. Doctors within hospital systems typically only cover therapies within their specific medical specialty, which might explain why some people run into issues there.
nimblemoose2 said:Can anyone recommend a high-quality private clinic specializing in orthopedics? I have been an active athlete for six years now without sustaining any major injuries, yet every doctor I have consulted provides a completely different diagnosis. One suggests immediate surgery, another insists on physical therapy (which I completed to no avail), and a third claims nothing is wrong at all.
The standard procedure seems to be showing up, getting an MRI—since X-rays are quite superficial in my opinion—and then having them either set the issue or perform surgery, followed by some sort of physical therapy as post-operative care.
I am originally from Indianapolis, but I am willing to travel anywhere in the US for the right expertise.
You might want to look into St. Catherine in Chicago; they have an excellent medical team.
restlessbadger2 said:Thank you. Because of this wonderful miracle, my doctor gave me a referral for an EMG on my leg, so I am going to attempt to get that done through Medicare, though I am uncertain how long the waiting list might be. Do you happen to have a recommendation for an excellent physiatrist? I found that many people highly praise Blaženka Nekić, but I cannot determine if she is truly exceptional or if those are merely exaggerated reviews. 🤷
The reviews are definitely skewed because the negative comments have been deleted. Personally, her approach did not resonate with me at all, although there are certainly patients who are satisfied (as there are others who are not). For some time now, she has been seeing only private patients, while those using Medicare are being treated by another doctor whom many people highly recommend. The specialists at Ligament are quite good; personally, I was satisfied with Dr. Žugaj, but I have heard some negative experiences as well, so one should remain cautious. ☕
restlessbadger2 said:The sacral part of the spine, the pelvis.
Wouldn't needle electrodes provide better or more precise results? With surface electrodes, the impulses tend to scatter, making it impossible to identify the specific nerve at fault with any certainty.
If it becomes absolutely necessary, one can certainly proceed with needle electrodes; however, I have only undergone that method once and would not opt for it again unless there were a compelling reason. Prof. Mikula is a leading expert in this field, and under his care, I have successfully completed all procedures using surface electrodes.
restlessbadger2 said:Does anyone have a recommendation for an exceptional neurologist or neurosurgeon in Washington, D.C.? I am specifically looking for private practice options.
Additionally, I would appreciate suggestions for where to have an emng performed on my leg privately within Washington, D.C. Thank you.
Quite a few neurosurgeons maintain private practices; however, it depends entirely on the specific nature of the issue. What are we dealing with? As for the emng, I suggest St. Catherine; they utilize surface electrodes for their procedures.
With sufficient rest and quality sleep, regular relaxation techniques, physical activity, and a nutritious diet, one can also incorporate targeted supplements like Echinacea, honey-based products (including propolis and royal jelly), as well as specific vitamins and minerals if a deficiency has been clinically identified. What works effectively varies from person to person, as certain individuals are naturally more susceptible to viral infections than others. In my own experience, I managed to bring my symptoms under control solely through acupuncture. Furthermore, I have observed that excessive fatigue and an increased intake of sugary snacks significantly compromise my immune system's efficacy.
Lisa Sanders60 said:Thank you. I am hopeful that those mediocre ratings on the Doktok portal won't carry much weight, as I have already managed to locate their profiles there.
This is based entirely on my own personal experience.
Lisa Sanders60 said:I am looking for recommendations for a reliable pharmacologist in Washington, D.C., specifically if anyone has firsthand experience with one who accepts Medicare. 🙂
I decided to take my business elsewhere after hearing feedback from several patients and even a specialist I personally trust. To make matters worse, the way they interpreted my own scans was nothing short of pathetic. I’m not suggesting this is the universal standard, but the specific instances I’ve encountered were far from positive. Furthermore, they aren't the only ones failing. A colleague of mine had an MRI done at a different private clinic, and the results were just as poorly analyzed—they completely missed a tumor that any competent expert should have spotted immediately. I won't even go into the devastating consequences that oversight caused.
I have my doubts regarding the quality of imaging performed at Mayo Clinic, not to mention the accuracy of their results interpretation. It is likely the reason why wait times there seem so deceptively short. In addition to the specialists at Neuron, I would also suggest consulting Dr. Borić at St. Catherine.
While hormonal fluctuations frequently trigger these types of pains, it is absolutely essential to schedule an ultrasound to get a clear picture of what is happening.
They are certainly polite people, but in my experience, I was told that waiting for an orthopedic consultation using a referral takes about a month. Regarding MRI scans, they had a significant backlog of patients waiting for appointments, depending on how quickly Medicare approved the coverage. I was quite satisfied with the actual services I received there, though I ended up paying out of pocket for everything (and they have actually raised their rates since then).