Seeking advice for spine/lower back problems

Eioplke

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Hi guys,

4 days back i fell awkwardly and hurt my lower back.
Was admitted to TTS hospital for some x-rays, initial results are ok, according to the MO. I was allowed to go home (6-7 hours later)

The pain at my lower back is getting better, but i have discovered the following:
1) No urge to urinate
2) extreme pain when passing motion
3) Numbness at lower back to knees

I am very worried now, and i believe the best course of action is to consult a specialist. My preferred hospital is SGH.
I suspect i might have a bit of nerve injury.

So, if i make a appointment through polyclinic, there will be government subsidy. but i heard that
1) the waiting time is very long, (how long?)
2) and the doctors assigned to you are often junior ones.
Is the above true?

Anyway how much will a MRI of lower back cost? Anyone with a spinal condition can help me out on this? Do you think i will be better off if i just ask my GP to refer, as a private patient instead?

Sorry for so many questions. Oh, i am not a NSF btw.
 

cutiepie23

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go to private
they don need MRI also will know the problem 1
80% they will know the causes
 

Eioplke

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go to private
they don need MRI also will know the problem 1
80% they will know the causes

Thanks for the reply. Private as in private hospital or private outpatient in government hospital?
Are you a victim of back problems too?
 
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Ironx

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For MRIs, if I'm accurate, a back MRI cost about $450-$500 for private radiology places e.g. go thru private hospital.

For govt hospitals, it's about $350-$450 and yes, the waiting list may be quite long, say you go polyclinic -> specialist -> mri -> specialist again may take like 2 months even. But yes it may be significantly cheaper.

If you have those symptoms the hospital may give you priority. keyword is may.
 

Eioplke

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Thanks Ironx for the info.

Actually i am thinking to go private at this point of time.
Anyway any bro here know the subsidy rate for polyclinic referrals?
 

gladyslim2

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Referral from polyclinic to SGH is charge at B2 for SC without appointed doctor.

If you are seeing orthopaedic, the waiting time is less than a month but if you will to see a neurologist, you have to wait for about 7 months, for Renal, it's 3 months.

Most of the time, you get to see by registrar. I'm lucky, my doctor is either consultant, senior consultant and associate consultant.

Referral by Gp is group as A class. Not only consultation, the diagnostic test and medication charge are not cheap.

US scan is roughly $120/-, tomo scan is at least $400/-, x-ray, blood test, urine not cheap too. when come to surgery, a simple scope for shoulder joint at day surgery is not less than $6,000.00.

I think you should not wait, go polyclinic, if your case is serious and need to wait for months to see a SGH specalist, go directly to A&E.
 
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psyclopz

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Hi guys,

4 days back i fell awkwardly and hurt my lower back.
Was admitted to TTS hospital for some x-rays, initial results are ok, according to the MO. I was allowed to go home (6-7 hours later)

The pain at my lower back is getting better, but i have discovered the following:
1) No urge to urinate
2) extreme pain when passing motion
3) Numbness at lower back to knees

I am very worried now, and i believe the best course of action is to consult a specialist. My preferred hospital is SGH.
I suspect i might have a bit of nerve injury.

So, if i make a appointment through polyclinic, there will be government subsidy. but i heard that
1) the waiting time is very long, (how long?)
2) and the doctors assigned to you are often junior ones.
Is the above true?

Anyway how much will a MRI of lower back cost? Anyone with a spinal condition can help me out on this? Do you think i will be better off if i just ask my GP to refer, as a private patient instead?

Sorry for so many questions. Oh, i am not a NSF btw.



Did u tell the symptoms to your doctor?

U might have sciatica meaning ur sciatic nerve is impinged causing the radiating pain from the back to knees. Looking at ur symptoms, you might have a prolasped disc.

Ask for the MRI soon and meanwhile do not do anything that aggravate the prob like lifting heavy weights without proper form. Go read on back rehab stretching exercises too. Hope this helps.
 

Eioplke

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On the day of the incident, I did told the MO about it, but he just gave me an x-ray. I suggested to him that i might have hit or pull some nerves, he did not pay too much attention to that. Anyway he told me to go see specialist if pain persists.

I am very worried now...
 

motron

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chill man. dont have to get overly worried. its not like your dead or paralysed. not trying to make light of your situation. but it doesnt appear to be something that will affect you heavily in the long run. in time it will be alright. i've had nerve injury where i couldnt feel the underside of my left arm for a few months.
 

psyclopz

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I saw a TTSH specialist as well. Initially he concurred with my camp doctor's diagnosis.
Said it was nothing much. Prolly a strained back.

I insisted on MRI. Results out. Prolasped disc with disc denegeration. Downgraded from B to E9L9.

Don't worry. Early treatment will ensure you feel better sooner. Meanwhile just read alot and months down the road u will thank me. =)
 

Eioplke

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I saw a TTSH specialist as well. Initially he concurred with my camp doctor's diagnosis.
Said it was nothing much. Prolly a strained back.

I insisted on MRI. Results out. Prolasped disc with disc denegeration. Downgraded from B to E9L9.

Don't worry. Early treatment will ensure you feel better sooner. Meanwhile just read alot and months down the road u will thank me. =)

Omg, the TTSH spec and camp doctor both diagnose wrong. I guess i will insist on MRI too.
 

cowed77

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Wah....... So confident...

Goos on u psyclops, so wat was the doc's response?
 

teckgamer

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MRI scan not covered by CPF.
I did mine (shoulder) through insurance claim, $1.5K done in private hospital.
Very fast and efficient
 

Ahlin1989

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Hi Eioplke,

I think you definitely need to go private. Spine issues are always sensitive and should be taken very seriously. I'd recommend to you Alpha Joints Orthopaedic Clinic. I got a word from my colleagues that he's one of the best in town. Hope this helps mate!
 

Valour94

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Hi guys,

4 days back i fell awkwardly and hurt my lower back.
Was admitted to TTS hospital for some x-rays, initial results are ok, according to the MO. I was allowed to go home (6-7 hours later)

The pain at my lower back is getting better, but i have discovered the following:
1) No urge to urinate
2) extreme pain when passing motion
3) Numbness at lower back to knees

I am very worried now, and i believe the best course of action is to consult a specialist. My preferred hospital is SGH.
I suspect i might have a bit of nerve injury.

So, if i make a appointment through polyclinic, there will be government subsidy. but i heard that
1) the waiting time is very long, (how long?)
2) and the doctors assigned to you are often junior ones.
Is the above true?

Anyway how much will a MRI of lower back cost? Anyone with a spinal condition can help me out on this? Do you think i will be better off if i just ask my GP to refer, as a private patient instead?

Sorry for so many questions. Oh, i am not a NSF btw.

Take care buddy! You should get the MRI as soon as you can.
 
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