Am I unable to communicate properly?

[ombili]

Well, I got the MRI on Monday and still haven't heard from them regarding the results. I don't know whether to call them, or what I'll say if and when I do call them. Knowing how things work in these parts, they will never call me with the results. OH said to wait until Friday and then give them a call if I haven't heard anything.

I assume that if I haven't heard, it's because they don't see anything there and are unwilling to help me further. Any suggestions of what I might say or any paths I should follow? Should I just chalk it all up to things that I have to live with? If not, what can I possibly expect to change?

[Sandy L]

For a non-emergency MRI three days is not too long. They will be read by a radiiologist that night or the next day. (S)He will dictate a report, which will be transcribed the following day. The radiologist will usually look through the reports and approve/sign them the day after. They will then be sent to the ordering physician. If faxed, that will be the third or fourth day; if sent by snail mail, it will depend on thecity of origin and the city of the destination. That said, there would be nothing too amiss in calling and asking how it's coming, and when your doctor might receive a report.

[ombili]

Thanks, Sandy! It's always good to get your feedback since you are very knowledgeable. What would we do without you?

I guess I just wondered because at the time they told me that the doc would have the results in 24 hours. They must have been mistaken.

[Sandy L]

By all means call, then. They may be expecting a faxed response. The results are generally released to the ordering physician, not the patient, so that's the office to call.

[ombili]

I did call them today. They said that they saw tendonitis in the tendon on the top of my foot and in both hips, and so I'll be going on a six-day course of steroids. They said if that doesn't solve the problem then we'll try active release therapy.