Jerry, just to be clear, are you saying your cervical surgery relieved your pain above the L4/L5 level? If that is true, that is very useful information to me.
I continue to try and figure out what the heck tests Dr. Zeegers needs from me. I can't believe how many emails have gone back and forth and that there is still not clarity. I just sent him another one. I have spoken many times to the imaging labs here. Just for the ct exam, there are three different tests....without contrast, with contrast, and lastly with and without contrast; each with there own price. The surgeons in the U.S. just write the orders and we go and get the tests. Without the orders, it is certainly a puzzle. I think I'm going to go crazy before this is all done.
I see an ortho on Thursday to discuss my hip and lower back pain. Maybe he will have something interesting to say! I just keep trying to rule out parts of my body so I can figure out what is causing my pain. It would be great if the neurosurgeons all agreed with each other but, they don't!
BTW, if anyone has to cash pay for imaging, it sure pays to shop around. I have also learned that the imaging centers will price match!
Here are just three examples:
Cash price for CT Scan without Contrast" at three different locations:
1) $398
2) $282
3) $185
Got to love the U.S. for profit healthcare system!
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2006: epidural shots did nothing; 2 surgeons recommended 2 level fusion, I declined.
2007 - 2010 4 foraminotomy and cord decompression cervical surgeries and 2 endoscopic discectomy T7-T8 surgeries; total 6 with Dr. Jho (Pittsburgh,PA) My C6/C7 autofused around 2009.
2013 - 2015: epidurals 3 times (again did nothing) and 4 Radiofrequency ablation (or RFA) procedures.
2016 more RFAs, hit the 10 year mark of this insanity and pain, 3 level M6-C ADR with Dr. Clavel May 19, 2016
