Long time lurker, first time poster
 

Hi everyone,

I've been poking around the public areas of the forum for a while now, figured it was time to sign up and really start collecting info and asking questions.

My signature pretty much tells the story. Over the years I've had minor issues with my low back, but nothing serious at all. I was a very active person so I figured the injuries went with the territory. That all changed a couple of years ago, and here I am now.

I figured I could manage this condition with physio and exercise, which is probably why I remained a lurker. The pain is more annoying for me than debilitating, some days I'm ok, others I'm chewing ibuprofen like candy.

However it really hit home recently when I was asked if I wanted to hold my newborn nephew. He liked to keep moving which meant I hand to stand with him and bounce. After a minute of that my low back was stiffening up and I had to hand him off. We plan on starting a family of our own and I know that right now holding a baby while standing will be an issue, and holding him/her over my head is out of the question.

So, long story short.....time to get this fixed! I have a bunch of questions, but I'll post them in the appropriate spots.

what age are you and welcome?

Hi Chris,

Welcome.

I'm sure you'll get a lot of info here from people dealing with back problems. The one thing I find missing from your intro is your involvement with any doctors.
In your name does the wpg mean Winnipeg?

Hi pittpete. I'm 40, at least for the next couple of days.

Hey Stone,

Yes, it does mean Winnipeg. Stonewall mean the town too? The only involvement I've had with doctors so far is with my family physician who got the MRI done with me, and I've met a couple of times with a sports doctor at the Pan Am clinic who basically reviewed the results and recommended the physio. My physician has two patient that had adr, one in Germany, and the other in Brandon, Manitoba of all places. Still have to get more info on that.

I do plan on going back to Pan Am shortly to discuss disc replacement options and discovering if there's a way to get Manitoba Health to cover some of the costs if I go overseas.

Chris

Yes, Stonewall means the town, from Winnipeg, up hwy 7, turn left on hwy 67.
Do you go to the pan am pain clinic on the second floor?
I knew about the doctor in Brandon, and why I decided against going there. My pain doc had his opinion about him which was pretty much mine.

Oh sorry missed this in your post,

Your going to the pan am clinic to discuse ADR? I can already tell you what they will say. Been there, did it. I like the pan am clinics X-ray machines because they can produce a cd. I like to read the radiologist report, and laugh. "He has a prosthetic in his back.". Okay, I don't need the radiologist report, I need the X-ray on cd so I can send the image to Germany, it's a requirement for Dr. B.

I haven't talked to the doctor at Pan Am (Verity I think it's spelled) about ADR yet, but I was planning on doing it. What did they tell you? My family doctor knows of two patients in her clinic that had ADR, she was going to get feedback from them on their experiences from me.

Did you meet with the doc from Brandon? I get the feeling you didn't think highly of him. Besides, I'm sure his experience level doesn't come close to the doctors in Germany, and with our 'free' healthcare system it would take years to see him anyways.

I can't speak for my pain doc and his interaction with the Brandon doc. I never met the doc in Brandon and have no opinion on it other than that my research would suggest that I shouldn't follow up, on it. And I should not have personalized my previous comment directed at him. It was mostly directed at the current state of our health care system.
One thing I learned is that Canada has a two tiered health care system. The second tier is out of country.

"One thing I learned is that Canada has a two tiered health care system. The second tier is out of country. "
LOL Bingo! And the first one is not that good.
I've pretty much given up, I believe my GP is on the verge of trying to get our health system on board for an out of country procedure. I've tried two centres and neither will accept our gov't insurance. Our retirement is comfortable and I am reluctant to disturb it's financial foundation.