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New Member Introductions Discuss I am new here! in the General Discussion forums; I am getting great information from this site and realizing I am not alone but overwhelmed at the same time!! ...

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  #1  
Old 12-13-2009, 05:39 PM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Default I am new here!

I am getting great information from this site and realizing I am not alone but overwhelmed at the same time!! I'm amazed by how some of the people on this site are actually "functioning".

I'm a 36yo middle school science teacher who used to be active (basketball, mountain biking, snowboarding, backpacking, African drum/dance performer/teacher, etc). Been on 10% disability(hip/back injury from USAF '94-'98). I had an MVA in 1/98 (cervical strain-roof on my head!) Complained off/on for years about neck/arm pain. 6/09 while camping got shooting pains down traps, shoulders, right arm just from swallowing!!

MRI shows herniated disc @ C5/C6 with 50% spinal cord compression. My ins won't pay for it. Then waited 6 mos to switch to wife's ins only to find out her company just switched to my ins company!! Finally realized this all stemmed from '98 MVA. 12/09 Just filed a new VA claim (last time it took 1.5 yrs to get disability!!) I meet all the requirements for ADR so no need for a fusion.

Currently looking for surgeon + best cost effective place (US, EUR, INDIA, etc). Has anyone dealt with the VA before?
__________________
'94-'98 USAF
Currently on VA disability(10% for hip/back)
'98 MVA rollover (cervical strain)
complained off and on for years of neck/arm pain
6/09 MRI shows herniated disc @c5/c6 w 50% spinal cord compression.
Waited 6 mos to switch to wife's ins only to find out they just switched to my POS ins company.
12/09 Started new VA claim and looking for $$ options for ADR(US, EUR, INDIA, etc).
1/10 Cervical ADR in Barcelona Spain with M6
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  #2  
Old 12-14-2009, 12:05 PM
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Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 456
Default

Welcome to the board but sorry you need to be here!
I don't have a specific answer to your question but I do hope you factor in the surgeon's experience with cervical ADR's as well as cost.
__________________
2001 MVA; C5-C6 disk extruded
ongoing physical therapy, exercise and massage
ESI's, oral prednisone, trigger point injections
foraminal and central stenosis C5/C6 and c6/C7
2007 EMG/nerve conduction shows pattern of chronic radiculopathy
January, 2008: Prestige ST Artificial Disk Replacement, C5/6
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  #3  
Old 12-14-2009, 04:28 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,228
Question Clarification

Hey Neckman, who is your insurance company? Also, another possible route might be a clinical trial...so there would be no costs incurred for you. You do have to do your homework on ANY trial. Most patients here have good luck with clinical trials; but a few have had poor outcomes.

So, back to you and your (censored) insurance...
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"Harrison" - info (at) adrsupport.org
Fell on my ***winter 2003, Canceled fusion April 6 2004
Reborn June 25th, 2004, L5-S1 ADR Charite in Boston

Founder & moderator of ADRSupport - 2004
Founder Arthroplasty Patient Foundation a 501(c)(3) - 2006
Creator & producer, Why Am I Still Sick? - 2012
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  #4  
Old 12-14-2009, 09:37 PM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Default

Thanks for the welcome. I have United Healthcare. I guess I'll read up on the trials.
__________________
'94-'98 USAF
Currently on VA disability(10% for hip/back)
'98 MVA rollover (cervical strain)
complained off and on for years of neck/arm pain
6/09 MRI shows herniated disc @c5/c6 w 50% spinal cord compression.
Waited 6 mos to switch to wife's ins only to find out they just switched to my POS ins company.
12/09 Started new VA claim and looking for $$ options for ADR(US, EUR, INDIA, etc).
1/10 Cervical ADR in Barcelona Spain with M6
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  #5  
Old 12-14-2009, 09:44 PM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sahuaro View Post
Welcome to the board but sorry you need to be here!
I don't have a specific answer to your question but I do hope you factor in the surgeon's experience with cervical ADR's as well as cost.
Definitely will factor that in. Trying to figure out these surgeon's website/"promo pack" to make decisions. Thanks for the advice.
__________________
'94-'98 USAF
Currently on VA disability(10% for hip/back)
'98 MVA rollover (cervical strain)
complained off and on for years of neck/arm pain
6/09 MRI shows herniated disc @c5/c6 w 50% spinal cord compression.
Waited 6 mos to switch to wife's ins only to find out they just switched to my POS ins company.
12/09 Started new VA claim and looking for $$ options for ADR(US, EUR, INDIA, etc).
1/10 Cervical ADR in Barcelona Spain with M6
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  #6  
Old 12-15-2009, 06:40 PM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 117
Smile

neckman,

This is a little off topic but I couldn't help but notice the name of your hometown. There is a place in NC that I pass through from time to time called "Horneytown".


http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/w...ents/1504/P40/
__________________
Suffered thru every non-surgical cure known without relief.
Pain management '06 to April '10,
Had minimally invasive PLIF with internal fixation on 12/28/09 for isthmic spondylolisthesis of L5-S1 (TDR contra-indicated) DDD at L3-4 & L4-5, All L-Spine doing well. Episodes of no pain at all. After being relatively pain free for 4 months, C-Spine gave up. MRI due 11-1
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