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  #181  
Old 07-13-2015, 07:06 PM
Jerry5 Jerry5 is offline
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Default relief

I was scheduled to have 2 adr, and ended with one and a fusion.
But this has relieved a lot of pressure on the upper back, I feel better every level above the 4-5 level.

Like releasing a spring.

Not saying it will last forever, not sure, I will take it as it comes.
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Jerry, Somewhere Ohio

L2-3 herniation, two days before Thanksgiving, 2012, Discectomy/Laminectomy, 3/13 Numbness in the right leg, lateral femoral, gone, July 10, 2014 L45 M6 ADR, July 15 PLIF L5-S1, Not able to access L51 Anterior.
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  #182  
Old 07-13-2015, 08:18 PM
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Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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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!
__________________
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

Last edited by Cynlite; 07-14-2015 at 12:24 AM.
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  #183  
Old 07-27-2015, 05:10 PM
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Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Unhappy Lastest Update

Well, this couldn't get any more frustrating and confusing. I got the results of the Melisa test back on Friday. Apparently, I am allergic to 4 out of the 8 metals tested. I'm allergic to all three metals in the M6-C and one of the metals in the Mobi-C. I think I'll get the other blood test done and see if it confirms what the Melisa test said. This is not an exact science and I've read they sometimes disagree with each other. However, the reason I went with the Melisa test is because it's more sensitive.

Now, I wonder if I have a systemic problem in my body caused by the titanium screws that have been in my left knee the last 25 years? I'm going to take the 24 hour urine test which measures metals that are free floating in the body and see if that reveals anything. I have pain all over my body and I wonder how much is from my spine now? After I do the test, I'll try to get a referral to a specialist to try and figure this out.

Looks like I will not be scheduling surgery this week as I had hoped. I have to figure out what my risks are with the implants now.
__________________
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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  #184  
Old 07-27-2015, 05:59 PM
DrewDotNet DrewDotNet is offline
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Default

Quote:
Well, this couldn't get any more frustrating and confusing. I got the results of the Melisa test back on Friday. Apparently, I am allergic to 4 out of the 8 metals tested. I'm allergic to all three metals in the M6-C and one of the metals in the Mobi-C. I think I'll get the other blood test done and see if it confirms what the Melisa test said. This is not an exact science and I've read they sometimes disagree with each other. However, the reason I went with the Melisa test is because it's more sensitive.
Cynlite, I looked into a similar test.

The test I looked at can classify you in one of four different categories, based on certain thresholds.

Sample Results | Orthopedic Analysis

Were you towards the low or high end of the spectrum?
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32 Years Old
C5-C6: Disc bulge, bone spurs, mild cord compression; Arm/Shoulder Pain, both sides.
L5-S1: Mild disc bulge, managed with physical therapy
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  #185  
Old 07-27-2015, 06:40 PM
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Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Drew, I don't know yet. There are 8 pages to the test and only 4 made it when she faxed it to me. I'll get the rest of it in the mail this week. I'm hoping I'll get a graph as well.

The other blood test is with the company where you had your's done.
__________________
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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  #186  
Old 07-27-2015, 08:10 PM
Jerry5 Jerry5 is offline
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Join Date: May 2013
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Default Back

Sorry Cynilite,

I do not get here much.

Yes, the upper back, especially the upper thoracic and the lower cervical, there seems to be less pressure, again this was like a release for me.

The only way I can explain, I do get sore, and tired, but I just had a 4.5 mile bike ride, it took me about 20 min, near my house, felt good, walk a bit and use a fly type machine, mine is called weider, but it is like the total gym.

Not familiar with zeegers, but heard there are several in the EU that are good, I went to Ilerhaus and Bierstedt.
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Jerry, Somewhere Ohio

L2-3 herniation, two days before Thanksgiving, 2012, Discectomy/Laminectomy, 3/13 Numbness in the right leg, lateral femoral, gone, July 10, 2014 L45 M6 ADR, July 15 PLIF L5-S1, Not able to access L51 Anterior.
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  #187  
Old 09-21-2015, 01:07 PM
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Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Default Metal Allergy Test

Drewrad ~

To answer your question, I had the MELISA Metals blood test done by Pharmasan Labs a couple of months ago. Initially, they would only give me either positive or negative on the results. After many phone calls, I managed to get their ranges for the tests. I chose MELISA because it is supposed to be more sensitive than the other blood test that you got. Here is the data they sent me.

Aluminum, Positive, my result 4.1, their range = greater than 2.7
Chromium, Positive, my result 5.7, their range = greater than 3.2
Cobalt, Negative, my result 1.4, their range = greater than 2.2
Molybdenum, Negative, mine 2.5, their range = greater than 2.8
Nickel, Positive, my result 7.8, their range = greater than 7.7
Titanium Calcium, Positive, mine 3.4, their's = greater than 2.2
Titanium Dioxide, Negative, mine 2.6, their's = greater than 2.7
Vanadium, Positive, my result 3.4, their range = greater than 2.2

I may have the other Lab do the test too. I'll see what the Orthopedic Knee surgeon says tomorrow. I've read that the two tests don't always agree which is why some doctors don't have faith in them. The allergist said that the titanium screws in vitro are my best indicator and had no faith in the blood test whatsoever. I'm hoping I can find a better allergist. It was hard finding this guy and my appointment with him was not very helpful. He thinks these blood tests are about as accurate as someone going into a room full of people and asking them what they think of something and then measuring their response by how loud they clap. That was the example he gave me.

The test on Nickel surprised me because their range cut off is 7.7 and I'm 7.8. I am quite sensitive to Nickel but, you wouldn't know it from this test result. I had a ring once that was made of silver from Mexico. I'm sure it had nickel in it too because I used to get blisters under it. I have no problem with 925 silver. I've also had problems with my earlobes swelling and getting infected when I don't wear 925 silver or gold earrings. Your guess is as good as mine as to why I am allergic to so many metals. I knew I had metal allergies because of the sensitivities to jewelry but, was quite surprised by the test results.

There is only one ceramic ADR. I think it's pretty untested at this point. It does have some titanium coating in it too. I'm pretty disappointed that Dr. Clavel does not think I should get the M6-C's because of the test. He didn't even see the ranges, just gave me a one sentence response to my inquiry after I sent him the initial test that just said positive or negative on it. I think I'll have to get some more information before approaching him again on the subject. He's been so darn busy this summer. It took me 5 or 6 weeks to get the one sentence response from him.

Hope this answers your questions. If you have any input, I'm all ears! Hey, did you ever get the stem cell injections? I've looked into them and have considered getting them. I've had good success reducing my pain levels by various naturopathic means including herbs to detox metals. Not sure anyone is really interested here so, I haven't posted about all the stuff I've tried. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Cheers,

Cynlite
__________________
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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  #188  
Old 09-28-2015, 02:24 PM
Peachy Peachy is offline
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Hi Cyn,

I had MELISA do my test and I wasn't aware that other labs could or would be able to do it.... I mean MELISA.org of course.

It is fact that your sensitivity can go up after you have had metallic prosthetics implanted too... you body can react after the event. Also, it makes sense that you have had reactions to some things on your skin which came up as negative or low on the test, and vice versa in fact. It is due to our external tissues being a very different contact environment to something internal.

Just thought i'd throw this out there for you
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2-level ADR at C4/5 & C5/6 in Jan 2010. After months of physio paid for by The surgeon. I tried to start a very slow phased return to work, but failed in Sept 2011 and am now disabled with pain and mobility issues...

garypeach@hotmail.com
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  #189  
Old 09-28-2015, 05:04 PM
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Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Hi Gary,

Yes, that of course makes sense. Over here in the states, it's hard to find a doctor (even an allergy specialist) that will say that the external environment is different than the internal environment. No one seems to know a lot about it here. I've too read that if a person is exposed to a metal implant, that the sensitivity to the metal can increase over time. I'm not sure that is the case with me. I've had two titanium screws in my knee for 25 years and haven't noticed a huge difference over time. The surgeon I spoke to last week said the increased pain could just be due to arthritis from the surgery or age. (The pain is not anything compared to spinal pain!) He has ordered an MRI of my knee along with a blood test from the other laboratory here in the U.S. Then, we'll figure out what makes sense but, he's not keen on removing the screws since they have been in me for so many years. He said it would not be an easy surgery. If it would be easy, I was interested but, not so much now but, I'll see what the blood allergy test says.

The detoxing I've been doing continues to improve my condition so, I'll continue to detox for the rest of my life. If you are interested in what I'm doing, just let me know. I can't remember what I've sent you already. I have deduced that the anesthesia from 6 surgeries and long term use of drugs got into my soft tissue and made me extremely weak and ill over the years. Of course, none of the doctors figured this out. I am now drug free. I'm using other methods to control my pain and on a rare occasion I take an ibuprofen (200 mg.) Life is not perfect but, I'm moving around again instead of spending all my time in bed so, I'm very happy about that!

Hope you are finding some answers!

Cyn ~
__________________
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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  #190  
Old 09-30-2015, 01:30 PM
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randolf randolf is offline
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Default no drugs

Cynlite, you said you are off all drugs except ibuprofen. what herbs or homeopathic do you use?
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2007 mri revealed all but 2 discs of entire spine are either bulged, some torn, a few herniated and compressing foramenal nerves or chord c3-4 fusion. myelomalacia at 2 levels, facet arthropathy, spinal and foramenal stenosis, yadda, yadda...
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