Dyre need of 3level ADR/Hybred.

[goborgoh]

Hi All, thanks for taking time to read.

About four years ago I sent my MRI's/xrays to Dr. Bertagnoli and he agreed that I need a three level ADR. He said he'd do it and it would cost me about 50K. I couldn't come up with the money so I've had to suck-it-up over the last few years.

I can't put it off any longer as I'm having server instability in my Lumbar L5S1-L34. I still don't have the money to go overseas but since then things have changed here in the US. ADR has been approved and I've read that people have been able to get insurance (i have Medicare and Great West) to pay for a Hybrid (ADR and fusion) to do multiple levels.

Can someone please let me know if this is true and if so who would I need to talk to? I live in the Seattle area but am willing to travel if needed. This is a critical time as my instability is getting worse and I don't want to have a straight fusion done. I believe that would be the end of what mobility i have left. Please help me, thanks.

God Bless,
Kyle

Football injury 8th grade
DDD prognosis in '98
First micro discsectomy in '99 L5S1, nerve damage S1.
Second micro in '00 rerupture L5S1
Third micro in '01 at L4-5
Failed Back Syndrome, massive pain in my left leg.
'02 Electronic Nerve Stimulator put in, removed on month later contracted meningitis from surgery, almost died.
'06 Pain Pump put in, didn't work for me had taken out 4months later
Can you say ouch! Still looking for the answer as I'm coming apart.

[nornie73]

Kyle,

I would call Dr. Lauryssen in LA. My husband just had cervical hybrid w/ him yesterday (wish I could say he's out of pain but it has only been a day). But, I am SO glad we came to him. He's an expert in every sense of the word. I could not be more impressed with him or his staff. I think he takes limited insurance (we are cash pay and he worked with us). They will try to bill our insurance anyway (I have zero confidence they will pay). We came to him for his reputation, judgment, and good hands. My husband was hoping he'd be one of the people who woke up without pain but apparently he had a lot going on in his neck and this will be somewhat of a rough recovery.