A few years ago, I had an issue with my lower back. Seen a local doctor, I was then sent to physical therapy. During PT, I was put in traction. during this time, traction caused a slip. I laid there for several hours waiting for the disc to calm down. Once i was able to move, the doctor ordered an MRI. The MRI revealed two annular tears.

After returning to the doctor, I was advised these tears would not heal and the disc will continue to slip. What I was then told was, I could do some therapy and core strength exercises to help strengthen the area to avoid any further disc slips.

I bought in and began a serious gym regimen to help strengthen my core. Seemingly all was ok! For two years, I was pain free and mobility was near perfect. Until it wasn’t! What came next was a series of mishaps and painful days that led to my inability to move.

The disc slips several times a week now. So back to see the doctor. This visit, in my mind, warrants a new plan, based on the frequency of slips now. New plan, according to the doctor, “learn to live with a bad back”

How inappropriate is that? After a few weeks of unhappiness and pain, a nurse friend suggested a different doctor. Prior to visiting the new doctor, I have a new symptom. Neurogenic bladder. Frequent disc slips and now bladder issues, I 100% assume we have enough problems to schedule something to fix me.

The new doctor requires a new MRI due to my current MRI being two years old. Unfortunately, this doctor can’t get an MRI scheduled in a decent time frame. This is when it was suggested to see if I could get an MRI scheduled quicker in my home town.

Off to see my primary physician. I explained the problem and the request to have a new MRI. My PCP, gave me an injection, prescribed some meds to help my discomfort and got an MRI scheduled faster than the new doctor.

After waiting a few weeks, I head in for my lumbar MRI. Waiting a few hours for results, I check the patient portal to see results for a thoracic MRI. WHAT TYE FUCK?? They didn’t even MRI the area of issue!

I called to primary doctor to advice the mistake and was told they’ll send these results to my specialist and see what he thinks.

I’ll tell you what he will think, why in the hell would you MRI a completely different area than the area of issue?

So, here I sit, in pain, with a completely wasted day of hospital BS all for absolutely nothing. Not to mention, how I need to have a new MRI scheduled and hopefully approved. But more importantly, is my insurance and myself responsible for paying for a wrong MRI??

Why is it so difficult for people to do things correctly?