Hello

[Ray R]

Hi,

I have been lurking on this forum for a while now and would like to introduce myself. My name is Ray and I live in Alabama. I have seen an orthopedic spine surgeon and neurosurgeon locally and am currently scheduled for an ACDF (C5-C7)Jan. 15th. I also have a congenital fusion at C2-C3. Myleogram shows pinched nerve root at C5-C6 and spondylosis at C6-C7. I also have a disc herniation at C4-C5 which they don't plan on doing anything with. I am currently trying to get my information to Dr. Bertagnoli to see if he would consider me for ADR. Great information on this site. Thanks.

-Ray

[Alastair]

Hi Ray,
Welcome to the board . http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

You will find everything you need to get to Dr B in the FAQ`s, plus how to send your X-rays. Take your time before making decisions.
Best
Alastair http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Ray R]

Hi Alastair,

Thanks for your advise. I hope I am not rushing into anything.

I have been researching ADR for about a year and have tried all the conservative treatment routes. My family doctor, othopedic surgeon, and neurosurgeon all agree that I need to have surgery. I can't stand the thought of fusion (I'm only 43yrs. old). My main concern is additional wear on adjacent levels. My rationale for wanting to go to Dr. B is:

1. There is no way that I will get BCBS of Alabama to pay for a multi-level cervical ADR.

2. Dr. B is one of the best, if not the best.

3. ADR is less expensive in Germany than US.

4. If I'm going to have to pay out of pocket, why not get the best and pay less?

Am I missing something, or is there a flaw in my logic? I am at the point that I can wait no longer.

Thanks,
Ray

[Kim_Dean\'sWife]

Welcome Ray!
Please feel free to ask me any questions, any time. My husband and I are both 31 yrs old and Dr. Bertagnoli-bound for a two-level ADR. We can relate to your situation and we'd be happy to pass along information. (We are finalizing our trip details at this time.)
http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
Kim

[David]

Same here. Although I am a lumbar, and not a cervical patient, I had surgery with Dr. B. just over a month ago.

Feel free to ask me any questions you might have via here, PM, or email.

Thanks.

David

[Ray R]

Thank you Kim. My wife and I are quite intimidated by the whole process and can use all the help and support we can get.

I'm sure we will have many questions as we move forward.

Was March the soonest you could get in, or was that a personal choice?

Thanks again,
Ray

[Kim_Dean\'sWife]

Ray,
It gets much less intimidating with time! March was the first we could get. We wanted to go asap. I made some friends here on this site that helped me with all of the little details of planning. The more you ask and the more you know, the better you feel!
Kim

[Alastair]

Folks don`t forget the Alphaklinik in Munich. Dr B does some of his surgeries there also, and Zeegers is there too. Loads of facilities in Munich, and Hotels are just across the road from the Alphaklinik etc.
Best
Alastair http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Ray R]

Thanks David. I didn't see your post when I replied to Kim.

I sent Anita Peludat an email several days ago and have yet to receive a reply. I also have been in touch with "Harrison". Is there anything else I could be doing at this point to expedite the process?

How did you guys get your films and records to Dr. B? I saw in the FAQ's about photographing them with a digital camera, is that the easiest/best way? I have had an MRI,EMG,CT scan, and myelogram done. I assume they will want all of those?

Thanks,
Ray

[Kim_Dean\'sWife]

Ray,
Yes, there is good info in the FAQ's about taking photos of your records. If any of your records are on discs, email them to patient-affairs@pro-spine.com. Also, you can mail records via the United States Post Office (Global Priority or Express Mail) to the following address:
Pro-Spine

Dr. Bertagnoli/Dr. Fenk-Mayer

Spitzwegstrasse 64 D-93051 Regensburg Germany



I HIGHLY recommend that you save the records to your computer before mailing them. Our package of x-rays, MRI and CT Scan got held up in customs. No one knew where the package was for a couple of weeks. This is very rare, however.

A helpful hint: The US post office can provide you with free Flat Rate Global Priority Mail Envelopes (small or large size.) I know that it only costs about $5.25 to mail something in the small sized envelope. The large is around $10.00. If you have things like X-rays that cannot be folded, but should be rolled, the post office provides free Global Priority/Express Tubes. This will run you around $30.00 to ship.
The post office will ask how much your package's contents are worth. Prospine tells you to declare it for $19.00 or less, or else they have to pay big fees and will not accept it.
Hope that helps! http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
Kim

[David]

I sent Anita Peludat an email several days ago and have yet to receive a reply. I also have been in touch with "Harrison". Is there anything else I could be doing at this point to expedite the process?

How did you guys get your films and records to Dr. B? I saw in the FAQ's about photographing them with a digital camera, is that the easiest/best way? I have had an MRI,EMG,CT scan, and myelogram done. I assume they will want all of those?

I will try and 'divide and conquer':

1. Anita: Sometimes, it can take several days (if not longer) for Anita or someone from Pro-Spine to get back to you. Please be patient! (I know it sucks. Trust me: been there, done that!)

2. Anything else to expedite the process?: Email Anita / patient-affairs; fill out their questionairre; get all your reports, films, etc, etc, in order and ready to send.

3. How to send 'stuff': Yes, Pro-spine will want all of your films (MRI, EMG, CT, myelogram). The best way is to have them on CD, and then just send the images via email (usually, the original facility can produce a CD if you ask). If that won't work, some upscale film shops can handle those requests (turning the actual films into digital images). If all else fails, you can do what both Kim and I did (and a lot of people do), which is to send the actual films via post-mail to Dr. B's office.

Other things to keep in mind:

--When was your last MRI done? If it hasn't been done in the last year, you should think about having a new one.
--Do you have any recent xrays? Those wouldn't hurt either
--If you are serious about going through with Dr. B, then you will eventually need to have a bone density test (at least for lumbar ADR. Possibly for cervical ADR, although I am not 100% sure), and a bunch of blood-work done as well, but that is not until a few weeks beforehand (this is when you have sent in your $, have a surgery date, and are a few weeks away from surgery).
--Probably a stupid question: I am presuming you have a passport?

+ Everything that Kim said above http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

David

[annapurna]

Consider sending your package Global Express Mail if you're really in a rush. It's expensive (~$50 or so) but it gets there faster and has tracking even through customs in Germany.

[Ray R]

Thanks everyone, that is exactly the information I was looking for.

David:
-My last MRI was in January.
-Yes, I have x-rays as well.
-Yes,I am quite serious about getting my surgery through Dr. B.
-I assume I need to get the bone density test here?
-Not a stupid question about the passport. I don't have one yet, but I have my birth certificate and necessary ID and it is on my list. My wife has one from years ago that she just has to renew.

Looks like I need to get to work and get my records together. Thanks again to everyone and happy holidays.

-Ray

[David]

I assume I need to get the bone density test here?

You would need to confirm that with a cervical ADR patient. I know as a fact that you need to have a bone density test before going to Germany for lumbar ADR. My presumption is that this also applies to cervical ADR patients as well...

David

[Ray R]

Thanks for the help everyone.

That was not as hard as I thought it would be. I called the two facilities where I had the imaging done and they burned them on disc (no pun intended) with their own viewing software at no charge.

Ray

[annapurna]

Dr. Fenk-Mayer has been unable to use the images we sent using Amicas viewing software. If you're computer savy enough, and I can give some limited advice on the matter having spent the whole morning fixing the problem for us, I'd include an extra disk with jpeg or other universally accessible version of the images to make sure that everyone can access it.