Surgery Today........

[irregularjoe]

I've been having problems with my shoulder for 15 months. Did the whole chiroprator routine. No improvement. Did physical therapy. No improvement. I hooked up with a very good surgeon 5 months ago. He recommended more P.T. I did that. Not much improvement. So we started talking about arthoscopic surgery. I have a labral tear along with bursitis and some significant cysts.

Six weeks ago I started going to a Naturopathic M.D. to get accupuncture and trigger point injections in my low back and heel. (I've been having problems with them also for 3 years and 9 months respectively.) So I decided, : "What the heck, let him treat my shoulder too". He told me that he had success in treating the same ailment that I had. I trusted him.

All went well for a few weeks. I was actually excited for the first time in awhile that this guy might be able to help me. ( I had terrible experiences with the back doctor).

But after a few weeks I started noticing things like a lack of sterilization and sanitation protocols. I had to actually ASK him to apply bandaids after he did the injections. There were no sinks in the procedure rooms. Not sure where he washed his hands, if he did. The last visit he was dressed like an absolute slob. Dirty ripped jeans, filthy tennis shoes, definately not doctor looking.

Long story short, I now have a severe infection in my shoulder. I.E. life threatening. I went to the surgeon today and when he saw it he scheduled surgery for tomorrow. It's probably septic bursitis. Or worse. Now I'm going to have to have invasive surgery.

If all goes well I'll be home on Friday or Saturday. I'm going to have to try to live without the use of my right arm and hand for awhile. But if that's the price I have to pay to get rid of the extreme pain that I've been in for the last month, I'll take it. And averting death for awhile would be nice too.

Wish me well. I'm very nervous about this.

Joe

P.S. I really appreciate being able to vent my frustrations and fears here at B.T. This forum is more important than you know.

J

Edited December 17, 2008 by irregularjoe

[bozodog]

Bless you Joe, and I pray your surgery will come out well. Be brave!

My neighbor had his shoulder (joint) replaced two years ago and still has no mobility, and plenty of pain.

[bobbynichols]

Our prayers are with you.

[Besttechie]

Hoping for a speedy recovery and that everything works out as planned!

If it makes you feel any better, my dad has been in too many surgeries to count, but that's a whole 'nother story for some other time. I need to go take my last final.

B

[hitest]

Best wishes on a very speedy recovery, joe!! My thoughts are with you:-)

[TheTerrorist_75]

Good luck.

[JDoors]

Wow. Best wishes for a successful op. and a speedy recovery.

I take issue with calling that guy a Naturopathic "M.D." An M.D. knows about sterilization.

[blim]

Ohmannnnn, Joe, that stinks! But sounds like its fixable and as I tell my kids,

"oh, you'll be fine!"

As much as I hate to say the word "sue", you could do future patients a favor by putting this guy out of business. We had a dermatologist in our area that was re-using sutures and he is now behind bars. A tiny condolence for the people he gave hepatitus to but at least more folks won't be getting sick.

Thoughts and prayers for you and vent anytime you want, folks are willing to listen here!

Love,

Liz

[garmanma]

I hope everything turns out well for you

Good luck

[Pete_C]

I think I know what you are going through Joe.

A couple years back I thought I had heart trouble (angina) since I had been to doctors who had diagnosed me with everything from GERD to Cholesterol problems and acid stomach.

In the end , the Cardio Vascular specialist asked me "What side do you sleep on?"

"Left" I replied

"Sleep on your right side for a week and let me know if the pain improves" he said "You have bursitis in your left shoulder. Did you ever injure it?"

I then remembered that when I was five, my sister shattered my shoulder and collar bone with a cast iron fry pan, and I spent six months in a half body cast while it all healed.

I think the key that tipped him off to look for bursitis (even though the others ignored it ) was that I had noticed that no matter how bad the chest pain got, if I used my right arm to manipulate my left so that the upper arm was pointing up and I had my hand on the back of the top of my head the pain would cease. But any change in position and it came right back. I had thought it was circulatory (Ie a pinched artery ) or a pinched nerve; but bursitis explained everything and gave me a way to prevent it.

Now I take MSM every day (1500 MG) and make a conscious effort to sleep on my right and as long as I do both it does not bother me. Skip a couple days of MSM , or sleep on my left side and I have tremendous chest pains the next day.

Sorry to hear that yours requires surgical intervention; I hope that I can avoid that path.

Naturopathic M.D.

That gets me scared. Is he even a real doctor? Or just some chiropractor or quack who has no license to practice medicine?

My OL had one of those, claimed to be an Osteopathic doctor who practiced wholistic naturopathic medicine. Most of the time he gave B12 shots for just about everything.

Usually instead of a prescription he gave "free samples" and only once or twice gave a prescription for an antibiotic (penicillin). He varied between having an "office" in a strip mall (with nothing but a number on the suite) and out of his home. When she began exhibiting symptoms of Diabetes he suddenly told her that he had retired and could no longer be her doctor.

I sure hope you recover Joe; without any serious damage. Anything which breaks the surface of the skin , be it injections or surgery requires sterile conditions and cleanliness.

[martymas]

wow joe

if that was practiced here

he would be deregulated

and not allows to

practiced un less hes was up to hygene standard

my god i hope you are ok

dont take any risks

take care and good luck

marty

[sultan_emerr]

Best wishes on a very speedy recovery.

[bar5]

Joe, I hope you come out of your surgery OK. Best wishes to you and prayers sent your way.

Take care.

Barb

[JSKY]

I'm hoping everything works out for you Joe.

We are all on your side and praying you are OK.

[baker7]

I'm hoping everything works out for you Joe.

We are all on your side and praying you are OK.

Good Luck Joe - Will be Praying for you

Brian

[KeithLDick]

If I was you Joe I'd be looking for a "Good Malpractice Lawyer" when you get home and I'd be looking to sue him for all the money you spent on your back problems and for the infection, hospital bills etc .he basically gave you...