Heartbroken Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 I have been in severe stabbing intermittent pain in my mid back for 4 months. I have seen 5 doctors including internists and one neurosurgeon. None of them did a real physical exam. I have %99 symptoms of (slipping Rib syndrome) I am advocating for myself and trying to be diagnosed. I asked my PCP to refer me to an orthopedic or to have a (Dynamic flow Ultrasound), but he ordered an MRI for my thoracic area. As far as I know, an MRI would not show a slipping rib or cartilage since I will be laying flat. I sent him a long message on the Patient portal 5 days a go, I haven't gotten a reply yet. 5 days is way too much for my long undiagnosed pain and disfunction. My question is how to convince my PCP that I have been misdiagnosed with anxiety and hypochondria without injuring his ego? how to tell him I am really suffering from real pain and I have daily functional limitation? Is it OK if I send him YouTube links from top professionals? I will greatly appreciate any input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoGiuliana Posted September 2, 2021 Report Share Posted September 2, 2021 I'm so sorry you are going so long with such symptoms and no diagnosis. You deserve a doctor willing to be in dialogue with you about your health. That said, it can be difficult to find one and drs do have egos and also get aggravated with patients who question them after internet research. I am assuming you mentioned this diagnosis in your appointments it sounds like your doctors didn't think this was the cause. Is slipping rib syndrome associated with EDS (have you been diagnosed w EDS)? You know your doctor maybe best. I have to say that most doctors I have had probably would not respond well to a youtube video--even if you are on the right track with a diagnosis. Rather than try to diagnose yourself, I would focus on making sure your doctor understands your symptoms and that they are severely interfering with your life. I would get the MRI done. If it does not show anything then they need to refer you to a specialist or inform you of what other testing they intend to do to get to the bottom of this. I have been in very similar situation last year with severe flank pain and hematuria that went on for about a month. It was never diagnosed (and mysteriously went away eventually)--only things were ruled out. And I had some testing that IMO at the time was not likely to be helpful. But drs do want to rule out serious problems. I hope you can get answers and relief soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartbroken Posted September 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2021 Dear MomtoGiuliana, Thank you so much for your kind reply. I have never mentioned this diagnosis to any of those doctors during my visits, but I finally mentioned it in my message 5 days a go. I have many rare and chronic syndromes and illnesses and have been going to the same health facility with tens of doctors and specialists for more than 20 years. My major problem is I have been labeled with anxiety and hypochondria in my medical records; due to some doctor's ignorance not being able to put their hand on the real health issue. In the past, it took 44 years until I diagnosed myself with POTS and NMH and then they referred me out of state to Vanderbilt to get an official diagnosis which they did. It took me 15 years to diagnose myself with EDS and then convinced my PCP to refer me to a geneticist, which he did (out of state). Now, as I mentioned it has been 4 months with this new syndrome, but this time I am so desperate because I have no life. Yes, there is a strong link between EDS and Slipping Rib syndrome. I have been describing my pain to all those doctors, but none of them had a clue. I have been searching really hard to see if an MRI would show my slipped rib. The answer is No. I have chatted with (Slipping Rib syndrome) patients, they have a FB page. Did you ever find out what was the cause of your flank pain and hematuria? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoGiuliana Posted September 3, 2021 Report Share Posted September 3, 2021 So sorry. I know EDS can cause a great deal of pain. Frustrating your dr does not understand this and won't refer you to someone who can diagnose you more promptly given your EDS diagnosis. No I never got a diagnosis. I am worried it will flare up again but it's been about 18 months and no recurrence so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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