Re: question about sciatica

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/9/01 11:57:08 AM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< i've looked up sciatica and my symptoms match the description.

no one ever actually used that word with me, but the descriptions

match my experience perfectly. and one thing that seems to cause

sciatica is obesity.

when i did my consult with dr herron, i did tell him that i have

severe and debilitating low back and hip pain, but i didn't use

the word 'sciatica'. should i make a point to mention sciatica

to his office specifically before my info is submitted to my

insurance company or is my description of severe and debilitating

low back and hip pain enough?

>>

Hi, ! I've suffered from sciatica for many years... it can be

extremely dehabilitating. I think obesity isn't the cause, but it certainly

can exacerbate it.

Losing weight in the abdomen definately can lessen the symptoms (although not

necessarily eliminating them).

If you feel more comfortable mentioning it to Mt. Sinai staff, then give them

a call. However, they will put whatever diagnosis they see fit which applies

to your specific symptoms. I mean, sciatica isn't necessarily a co-morbidity

caused by obesity and general hip/knee/back/ankle whatever pain is definately

a result of having excess weight on our bodies.... I'm not sure what my LOMN

said, but they did ask if I'd been diagnosed with arthritis... I said 'not

formally', but since I complained of joint pain/back and hip pain, it is

possible they put that down on a list of co-morbidities.

I guess I'm being long winded here (oh - what a shock, right? LOL), but I

just want you to be rest assured that they are experts at submitting these c

laims for insurance approval and will choose wording that is appropriate and

shows the severity of pre-op problems and argues the necessity for surgery.

I don't think that you must mention sciatica (especially since it hasn't been

formally diagnosed) nor do I think it would 'make or break' your case -- but

if you want to cover all bases, then call and mention it! It may just

relieve your mind a bit.

all the best,

laparoscopic BPD/DS with gallbladder removal

Dr. Gagner/Dr. Quinn assisting/Mt. Sinai/NYC

January 25, 2001

76 days post-op and still feelin' fab!

pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45 (5'9 " )

now: 269 lbs (lost the .05! LOL)/bmi 40

[Guest guest]

Dear : I have had Sciatica since 1985 and what

you describe is EXACTLY what I experience. I

understand that with weight loss, this problem will be

alleviated.... Hope So... it can be really

debilitating.

Caroline

> folks, i have a question for you. i get this

> horrible pain that

> starts at my waist on one side and goes down through

> my butt to

> my hip and then down into the top of my thigh. i

> have been

> getting these pains for years and have tried

> numerous ways to

> address it, first western medicine, then

> chiropractic, then

> oriental medicine. nothing has worked. the past

> two days the

> pain is so intense that i can barely walk at all.

>

> i've looked up sciatica and my symptoms match the

> description.

> no one ever actually used that word with me, but the

> descriptions

> match my experience perfectly. and one thing that

> seems to cause

> sciatica is obesity.

>

> when i did my consult with dr herron, i did tell him

> that i have

> severe and debilitating low back and hip pain, but i

> didn't use

> the word 'sciatica'. should i make a point to

> mention sciatica

> to his office specifically before my info is

> submitted to my

> insurance company or is my description of severe and

> debilitating

> low back and hip pain enough?

>

> thanks!

>

> erika

> 5'2 " , 281.5#, bmi 51.5

> surgery date 5.11.01 11:30 am

> dr. herron

>

>

>

>

>

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