My back has been hurting again so it takes me extra long to get things done.  This month I finally went for an epidural steroid shot.  It helped, but I am hoping the next two quench the muscle spasms that take me to my knees.

It's weird.  Doctors seem to think that back pain isn't very important.  I' was told by my orthopedist's office that my pain isn't as bad as other people's when I asked why it took so long to get an appointment.

I changed orthopedists because of that attitude.  My new orthopedist wasn't interested in examining me or doing any x-rays or tests when I told him that my back was getting worse.  The pain was running all the way down my leg instead of stopping at my knees.

My chiropractor asked him if he'd get some x-rays done so my chiropractor would know better how to help me.  The orthopedist wanted to know if I wanted to have surgery.  I told him that I was trying to avoid it.  He told me he didn't do x-rays unless he was going to do surgery.  He told me, "I'm an orthopedic SURGEON, that's what I do!"

Sigh.  I guess that unless I am broken, bleeding, or want surgery he isn't interested in helping me.  He did refer me for the shots.  Big deal.  I'm going to find out if my regular doctor can do that so I can save a trip to Dr. I-Don't-Care.

I shouldn't have waited so long to start the approval process for another shot in my back.  I don't want any more shots than I actually need, but it takes about two months after I see the doctor to actually get the shot.

So, the solution to that is, figure out ahead of time when my back is going to start hurting and call to make the appointment to see the doctor.  I had waited until my back began to have muscle spasms again but that wasn't soon enough.  Confusing.