Merit-bound Alley

Maybe it was the horror of seeing Hillary win the NH primaries, but as of Wednesday morning, the back pain has returned. Having just changed to a new doctor, I was nevertheless able to make a last-minute appointment and was diagnosed with sciatica. Because of the intense agony I’ve been dealing with, I have not had the concentration or the will to put anything up. Let’s take a quick look at a summarized comparison of my new doc versus the old.

• Old doctor
  • First visit, said that it wasn’t sciatica because I’d be in constant agony, and at the time of my appointment, I was able to walk fairly well. Suggested I go to Borders and get a book on Yoga and “learn some stretches”.
  • Second visit, after back pain had returned in force, and he wanted to send me to a quack Chiropractor, where I could also indulge my love of fantasy with hypnotherapy and homeopathy. NOTE: the old doctor did not suggest hypnotherapy or homeopathy, they were just extra “services” for people who find that their doctors need no firm grounding in reality and an education in actual medicine.
• New Doctor
  • Took all of five minutes to figure out that I do have sciatica, and prescribed medicine for inflammation, pain, and muscle relaxation. He also ordered me an MRI to get a better look at what’s going on back there. Is also forwarding my medical records to a back and spine specialist with whom I have an appointment at the beginning of February.

Everyone who thinks my move to a different doctor, please raise your hands…….  No hands? Huh, I guess it was a good move.