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New Member Introductions If you just joined, please introduce yourself here. Please add a signature describing your spinal history (use the "User CP) and ask us how we can help you get started.


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  #1  
Old 04-26-2015, 01:06 PM
amyk amyk is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 8
Smile New Member

Hello! My name is Amy and I'm so glad to have found this forum. I wish I had found it a little sooner as I am schedule for cervical ADR surgery tomorrow morning! I'm feeling a little nervous as it gets closer but it has been a long journey for me and I'm praying that I am about to embark on a much less painful existence. Thank you all for all of your posts that I have been pouring over so that I can hear about your experiences. I really appreciate them!
__________________
2008-PT for pain in cervical spine/chronic headache. MRI showed DDD at c5-7, annular tear and facet hypertrophy at c5-6, bilateral foraminal stenosis.
2009- Epideral steroid injection. No results.
2012- Facet injections, medial branch injections, trigger point injections. Minimal relief.
2013-2014 Physical therapy 2X a week with dry needling/traction. Minimal relief.
2014- 2 surgeons recommend ACDF. It didn't sit well with me.
2014- Stem cell therapy. Temporary relief.
2015 ADR April 27!
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  #2  
Old 04-26-2015, 01:16 PM
Cynlite's Avatar
Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 666
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Wishing you a positive outcome and pain free life after surgery amyk!

Which disc are you getting and who is your surgeon? Hope to hear from you later about your excellent recovery. Be well.
__________________
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
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  #3  
Old 04-26-2015, 01:28 PM
NJ Gene NJ Gene is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 376
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Amyk, also wishing you the best of luck. I'm scheduled to go for ADR surgery myself in just over a week with Dr. Blumenthal at the Texas Back Institute in Plano.
__________________
Car Accident 2002 - Small Herniated Disc C3/C4
1998 Larger Herniation and Cervical Fusion C3/C4
2005 Herniation C4/C5 - 40 epidural steroid injections from Oct 2005, - Oct, 2007
2008 - Foraminotomy at C6/C7 on left side
Feb, 2010 - Cervical Fusion C4/C5
Dec, 2010 - Lumbar Fusion L3/L5
2013 - Bulge on C5/C6; herniation C6/C7 right side
Mar 26, 2013 - Foraminotomy at C6/C7 on right side
May 5, 2015 - ADR with Dr Blumenthal of TBI for C5/C6 using Mobi-C
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  #4  
Old 04-26-2015, 01:43 PM
amyk amyk is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 8
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Thank you so much for the welcome! I will be doing a C5-7 Mobi-C disc replacement with Dr. Petinne in Loveland Colorado. I feel like I've had a headache at various degrees for years and I'm really praying that this will work. I've been fortunate that I don't have the radiating arm pain, it is all in my neck, head and traps. I'm a mom of 3 ( 12, 13 and 16) and would love for my children to have a strong, healthy, vibrant mom. I'll try to keep everyone posted with my progress so that I can share my experience
__________________
2008-PT for pain in cervical spine/chronic headache. MRI showed DDD at c5-7, annular tear and facet hypertrophy at c5-6, bilateral foraminal stenosis.
2009- Epideral steroid injection. No results.
2012- Facet injections, medial branch injections, trigger point injections. Minimal relief.
2013-2014 Physical therapy 2X a week with dry needling/traction. Minimal relief.
2014- 2 surgeons recommend ACDF. It didn't sit well with me.
2014- Stem cell therapy. Temporary relief.
2015 ADR April 27!
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  #5  
Old 04-26-2015, 02:40 PM
colorado babe's Avatar
colorado babe colorado babe is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 345
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Amy,

You are in good hands -- Dr. Pettine is awesome and is a pioneer here in the United States for ADR. He also performed ADR at my C5-7. When I was sitting in your shoes 6 months ago, I knew I had nothing to worry about and was very confidant in Dr. Pettine's abilities. You will be well taken care of by Dr. Pettine and the staff at Poudre hospital. Good luck -- you will be so happy you did this for you and your family.

We're you able to get insurance to cover your surgery? If so, please share what carrier your with so we are all aware. Thank you!
__________________
1998- Injured neck and back in USAF
2011 - Started experiencing Severe Symptoms, Migranes, numbness, spasms in legs and feet and sciatica.
Feb 2014 - Received upper Lumbar Injection - Severe Allergy to injection
Mar 2014 - MRI of Cervical and Lumbar, protruding disc in C3-7, Herniated Disc in L5/S1, placed on STD and FMLA )
July 2014 - Stem Cell Procedure performed
Oct 20, 2014 - ADR (MOBI-C) at C5-7 and Anterior Fusion at L5/S1 by Dr. Pettine and Dr. Techy
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  #6  
Old 04-26-2015, 03:11 PM
Stonewall_Boris Stonewall_Boris is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 547
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Amy,

Good luck and best wishes on your surgery! Hoping everything goes well!
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  #7  
Old 04-26-2015, 04:41 PM
amyk amyk is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 8
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Continued thanks for the well wishes and especially to Colorado Babe for the reassurance from someone who used the same doctor, especially helpful for the day before surgery jitters.

I am miraculously covered by insurance through United Health Care for the 2 level Mobi-C. The Doctor's office facilitated this for me, but I do have to say that I also sent them a pile of documents showing how many conservative treatments I have tried and urging them to consider how much money they are spending on me to continue trying so many injections, physical therapies etc. I also called a few times. I have no idea if my efforts had anything to do with the approval, because I spoke to a different person every time. It may be that the doctor's notes were all they looked at, but I felt like I needed to communicate myself as well to plead my case.

I'm am beyond grateful that they are covering the surgery. I know that I am very blessed in this way.
__________________
2008-PT for pain in cervical spine/chronic headache. MRI showed DDD at c5-7, annular tear and facet hypertrophy at c5-6, bilateral foraminal stenosis.
2009- Epideral steroid injection. No results.
2012- Facet injections, medial branch injections, trigger point injections. Minimal relief.
2013-2014 Physical therapy 2X a week with dry needling/traction. Minimal relief.
2014- 2 surgeons recommend ACDF. It didn't sit well with me.
2014- Stem cell therapy. Temporary relief.
2015 ADR April 27!
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  #8  
Old 04-26-2015, 06:00 PM
jss's Avatar
jss jss is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,411
Default

Amy, condolences on being here, but welcome. You're going to do great tomorrow! Good luck!
__________________
C4/5 - ACDF in 2000
C5/6 - ACDF in 2002
C3/4 & C6/7 - M6 ADR, Nov 2009, Barcelona
Conceded defeat to a manifestly disingenuous BCBS-TX in my quest for reimbursement, Jan 2011
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  #9  
Old 04-26-2015, 07:54 PM
Cheryl0331 Cheryl0331 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 890
Default Hello Amy

I will be praying for your speedy recovery. Mobi-C has outstanding outcomes in your case. I am having ADR next week in Spain. I already have a three level fusion and they won't approve an ADR here in the US. You are in good hands; as I have heard great things here with the doctor in Colorado!
__________________
54 yr old female 5'7" 147 lbs. non-smoker conservative treatments failed
2007 fusion @ C4-6 peek cages, failed due to long term use of cox-2 inhibitor
2008 revised C4-6 donor bone, plate & screws
2009 fusion with Roi-C @ C3-4
2015 MRI & CT mjr ddd @ C6-7, segmental kyphosis at C7-T1, 2-level M6-C prosthesis by Dr. Clavel Barcelona Spain
2019 H.O. formed behind M6-C @ C6-7 left nerve rt & in spinal canal.
2020 Revision C6-7 to a CP-ESP prosthesis by Dr. Schmitz Dusseldorf Germany
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  #10  
Old 04-26-2015, 07:59 PM
Dema Dema is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 169
Default

Our prayers for a smooth surgery tomorrow AmyK, and progressing quickly to becoming pain free. My cervical problem is C3-C6, and wanted to know if you had any pain or burning around the shoulder blades (Scapula area)!
Best of luck tomorrow,
Dema & Raouf
__________________
7/2007 Whiplash injury
11/2009 Cervical disc herniation C3-C6 (C5-C6 worse)
2010-2013 Conservative treatments (drugs, PT, epidurals, prolotherapy, acupuncture...etc)
, little effect on pain
Considering surgery (typical questions, which type & which surgeon!)
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