I've been having back pain for a bit more than 4 years now. Whoever knows me, knows about it and the adjustments I've made in my life to reduce / limit the pain.
Since December however my back has been painful, literally speaking, getting to the point where I struggle to sit for more than one hour in a row. My colleagues have had the delight to watch me alternating between sitting and standing in meetings. Not the best way to concentrate.
Leveraging my Dad's network, I've had an appointment with another specialist in February to help finding a solution. She asked for a full set of tests, including MRI, blood analysis and muscle strength measure.
What I discovered is that getting a MRI for the back in Belgium is a test of patience. Namely, minimum two months before having an appointment. And apparently I was lucky as some people mentioned up to three months.
This is where my Dad worked a little miracle finding a MRI appointment for me within two weeks time. However not in Belgium but in France, in Lille. Once again it feels good to have a doctor in the family extremely well connected who can get you appointments faster than for anyone else.
This morning we left the house early to avoid traffic on the ring and drove to Lille. Wolfram had to take a day off to drive me there as driving is, sadly, one the things that are extremely painful these days. Sitting alone is bad, driving is worse. After a little tour at the Carrefour near the hospital where we bought a puzzle (my passion these days when I have to rest), I had my MRI scan done.
Given the MRI was done in France, I had to pay the whole amount and hope getting some of it reimbursed in Belgium. Fingers crossed I'll see some of that money back.
Net, it took my Dad's connections and 350 Euros to finally get an answer to what's causing my back pain. Based on how it looks on the scan, I'm not sure I will like what the doctor will say in our upcoming appointment.
Until then, I can focus my mind on the puzzle :)
Since December however my back has been painful, literally speaking, getting to the point where I struggle to sit for more than one hour in a row. My colleagues have had the delight to watch me alternating between sitting and standing in meetings. Not the best way to concentrate.
Leveraging my Dad's network, I've had an appointment with another specialist in February to help finding a solution. She asked for a full set of tests, including MRI, blood analysis and muscle strength measure.
What I discovered is that getting a MRI for the back in Belgium is a test of patience. Namely, minimum two months before having an appointment. And apparently I was lucky as some people mentioned up to three months.
This is where my Dad worked a little miracle finding a MRI appointment for me within two weeks time. However not in Belgium but in France, in Lille. Once again it feels good to have a doctor in the family extremely well connected who can get you appointments faster than for anyone else.
This morning we left the house early to avoid traffic on the ring and drove to Lille. Wolfram had to take a day off to drive me there as driving is, sadly, one the things that are extremely painful these days. Sitting alone is bad, driving is worse. After a little tour at the Carrefour near the hospital where we bought a puzzle (my passion these days when I have to rest), I had my MRI scan done.
Given the MRI was done in France, I had to pay the whole amount and hope getting some of it reimbursed in Belgium. Fingers crossed I'll see some of that money back.
Net, it took my Dad's connections and 350 Euros to finally get an answer to what's causing my back pain. Based on how it looks on the scan, I'm not sure I will like what the doctor will say in our upcoming appointment.
Until then, I can focus my mind on the puzzle :)
1 comment:
Oh Dear, BECKS wish the best for your BACK!
And we cross fingers - for getting ba(e)ck the money!
It's a lot of money! At Germany my MRT was payed from
the social insurance; I must only spend my time; that's cheepy!
But for you it will be for the next time only necessary to find out how the MRT can help you and how it will be able to get the pain away.
In this way: we cross again ...
and the best wishes of us take care of you!
CHRISTA und CHRISTIAN
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