Look into local health clinics. I live in the country also but we do have a few here that charge on a pay scale. Ask other people if there is anything like that around you. So sorry you are having this problem. Just keep looking & searching everywhere for help.

Thank you, joann.

I have checked the health clinics and the hospital looking for someone to at least point me in the right direction. SS sent me to a vocational rehab facility but they serve those on disability. They told me the best thing for him to do is to be put on disability and then they can help. LOL

((sorry, had someone come to the door))

about the vocational rehab... they will pay for dr.'s, surgery and help/train for employment but this is after you're put on disability. I don't know anything about disability and if DS would qualify because of a bad back. What I do know is that he needs to see a Dr.! LOL

When I read stories like that I am glad I live in Canada, your son would have no problem getting the help he needs.

It sounds like he is a candidate for Social Security Disability Benefits.

The link below has a lot of good info. I would read through the info and then decide if maybe he needs to talk to disability attorney or lawyer who would take his case and help him get the benefits and help he needs and deserves.

Regarding the issue of SSD representation and SSI lawyers and Attorneys:

I wish him well.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY SSI BENEFITS

Chemocurl's idea is a good one. Is your son working? Have you thought of asking your physician for his advice? He might be able to give you some suggestions.

Moonie asked if any of us could help - I'm not sure how helpful enjoyspring's comment is about living in Canada. In June 2009, the Ontario Ministry of Health published statistics showing medical wait times - the wait time for an MRI in Ontario is 100 days. There's room for improvement in both your health system and the US.

My sister has had back problems for years. She says her specialist told her that people don't use ice packs enough for back problems. Get a gel pac that is wide and long for the back. Freeze it, wrap in a thin towel like a dish towel, and use for 20 minutes. Be careful after using it, the doctor said, because you will feel better and could do too much and increase the injury.

Some people swear by alternating a hot pad for 20 minutes, go about whatever you are doing for awhile, then use the cold pack for 20 minutes.

Do you have a university/medical center in your area? Like Mayo Clinic etc. Also the Shriners might help? St. Jude also. As for disability, I would assume he would have to go thru a medical evaluation first and their is where your teaching hospital might help. Do you have a good chriopratic person that is connected with a hospital? I wish you the best.

In June 2009, the Ontario Ministry of Health published statistics showing medical wait times - the wait time for an MRI in Ontario is 100 days.

Here the wait for an MRI is the length of time it takes to save up $2000+. So I would say Canadians win that one over my son. It would take him forever to save that up. LOL

sheilajoyce - thank you. He often alternates the ice and heat, plus does back strengthing exercises. I think that sometimes he just aggravates beyond anything helping.

chemocurl - I have sent that link to my son and will take the time to thoroughly review it myself later. Very comprehensive material. Thanks!

hi marie - no medical uni's or the sort here but contacting the shriners or something along those lines might be an option.

Wow, I'm so sorry for your son; back pain is very debilitating. I do wish I could point you in the right direction; count me in as one who strongly supports universal health care. I just want to tell you that my mom had a procedure, (not a surgery,) where they used a type of cement in her spine to stabilize things; she felt better immediately after! Would you like me to find out the name of the procedure?

I would fight tooth and nail for my TENS machine. Eric on the other hand does not like it for his back. I would recommend your son check with a chiropractor or PT person (they might be cheaper than an MD to make sure it is safe for him to use one. I crank mine up until the feeling of the electrical shock overpowers the pain, then I can function. You have to be very careful not to overdo things just because you may not be hurting as bad. I cannot drive on back pain meds and don't really like how they make me feel so this is a God's send! I reuse the electrodes- just put a band-aid across them when the sticky starts to go. One set (4) of electrodes lasted me the two months of recovery from the herniated disc.

Below is a link to the unit I have. It is by far the cheapest I have found and the quality is just as good as the $3,000 one that insurance bought my mom in 1991. (I lost that one a couple of years ago)

http://www.lgmedsupply.com/tenslg3000kit.html

That's a good way to look at it, Moonie. Also, they prioritize here in Canada. My DH waited 3 weeks for his MRI and my DD waited 1 week for hers. Some people wait longer, depending on the situation. Of course you will always hear of exceptions, but that's our experience.

I'd be cautious with a chiropractor just because if your son has an unstable coccyx or SI, he can get in trouble by being 'adjusted'. I've been down that road myself. I suggest finding a good Physical Therapist or Back Pain Clinic and have someone with back and disc knowledge set up a therapy program for him. There are many facilities that are willing to work with what the patient can pay out of pocket.

Have you looked at Community Health Centers? There are over 900 in the US and care is provided on a sliding scale based on family size and income. They offer primary health care and this seems a logical place to start. Disclaimer: I work at a CHC - we have several specialists including orthopedics and pain management. We also help people find wrap-around services. You can google CHC's or look under the Bureau of Primary Healthcare or email me and I will help.

P.S. - let me know if you send an email so that I check for it.

Moonie, I agree with orie; a chiropractor can make his back worse. I have scoliosis and brought a back brace on eBay. It was a lot cheaper than the one the doctor wanted me to get and just as effective.

Your DS should contact a local charity for assistance and he should also apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Once he gets his back stabilized he can always go back to work. Please don't think of SSDI as permanet. It is just a way for him to get some funds and qualify for medical assistance. When your DS is ready, he can go to Voc Rehab for help in getting a job.

I wish him the best of luck in finding help.

Just and FYI on SSDI - depending on what state you live in, there can be a HUGE backlog and you can wait, literally, months for your decision. And they generally deny everyone the first time around. Then you have to appeal. But that all takes time. My SIL is in the appeal process with an attorney and it has been over 3 years.

For Social Security, you don't get anything for the first six months, it's called the Waiting Period. Ha! And it takes at least 3 months normal processing time to make a medical decision, and yes, most initial decisions are denials. To qualify, one must have a medical condition that prevents a person from working at least a year or is expected to end in death. Heavens, I don't wish that on anyone. SSI (Supplemental) doesn't have the waiting period, but needs a medical determination and they'll investigate his finances. My nephew in Ohio developed a bad gall bladder and needed it surgically removed. The bill was $10,000 but he qualified for State Medicaid under a one-time-only rule. Good luck to your son.