The fun keeps coming.

[Kat]

I had been hoping and praying for an ADR, but my insurance (UHC) denied it. I went to a Dr here that also does ADR in hopes that if I got another DR (besides Zigler) to go to the insurance and recommend ADR they might change their minds. Dr Taylor(My ortho) said "No" to ADR because he said it would not help my leg pain and recommended a PLIF. I don't really agree with that, but I have put my life on hold for too long and I need to do something.
I finally have started coming to grips that maybe it's not in the Lord's plan for me to have ADR so I scheduled a PLIF for June 28 last week.
Monday evening I am watching the news and the hospital where my fusion is scheduled is going to not accept UHC as of August in some sort of protest. (Just Great)
The next day I call the ortho to verify this and sure 'nuf it's true. The RN is very nice about it but needs to know if she should continue to setup my pre-op tests. I am pretty upset and cancelled the fusion. I then spend the next hour driving myself nuts thinking about....what should I do? He's one of the best orthos in the area? Should I settle for another doctor? etc.
I re-schedule the fusion with the RN apologizing for my indecision, but she TOTALLY understood. She didn't schedule all the tests and left me with another "Out" date of the 13th just in case. She said that the latest date that would still allow time for all the rest of the pre-op stuff.
Later that day, I go to my OB/GYN to have myself checked(it had been too long) and to discuss birth control so there would be no chances after the fusion. He comes in and says I have a severely prolapsed uterus and some cysts on my ovaries. He needs to run a couple of more tests, but from where he sits now, he recommends a hysterectomy. We talked about the upcoming fusion and such, but it is his recommendation that I postpone the fusion. (I sound like a medical train wreck. ) OK...so I let's say I have a hysterectomy at the end of June, 4-6weeks to recover, end of July/first part of August for fusion.
This means I have to cancel the surgery completely with the ortho because of the insurance issues in August and find another Doc. (That poor RN is gonna go nuts with me) So I go home to research DRs and find that the neuro who originally did my discectomy years ago, is now a Charite ADR doc! I was extremely pleased with him because he gave me my life back after I herniated my discs. I have an appointment with him for the 20th. It will be interesting to see if he recommends ADR or fusion. It is strange how among the ADR doctors, they can't agree on the course of treatment for my back. Through all of this, I can still hope for ADR, but I am ready for fusion. Sorry to have rambled for so long, but I am TOO old for this rollercoaster ride!

BTW, what are the differences between having an ortho doing a fusion and a neuro????? Is one better than the other???

Hugs,
Kat

[David]

wow. Your life keeps getting more and more "interesting" [I am still awaiting word from UHC concerning my "pre-denial" status. I plan on calling again Monday (6-MAY) sometime]

Ortho versus Neuro:

Honestly, I think it pretty much depends upon the surgeon in general, their experience, and your comfort level.

That being said, I believe the general mantra is that if a Neuro messes up a bone, it isn't as big a deal as if an Ortho messes up a nerve....

Edit:

Actually, if it helps any, I originally went to an Ortho who wanted to fuse me, and now I deal with a Neuro who agrees that ADR is a better option.

David

[Kat]

I still haven't gotten a response from UHC regarding my 1st ADR appeal either. At least with all this happening, I still fight the insurance regarding ADR.
On a sidebar, there are 3 big St Louis metro hospitals who are going to no longer accept UHC insurance. From what I understand, UHC is being accused of "steering" patients towards certain doctors. I wonder if if UHC is "steering" patients towards certain medical procedures...hmmm.

Hugs,
Kat

[Anita]

Hello Kat,

Too much going on at once...........by the way, a prolapsed Uterus should be resuspended, NOT removed, you need your uterus AND ovaries..think about hormone production and bone density issues in relation to your possible ADR or fusion. Get a second opinion.

A hysterectomy is a BIG SURGERY.....AT LEAST 8 weeks recovery and A LOT OF FATIGUE afterward. Its a procedure that should ONLY be done if its intended to save your life.

Good Luck and think carefully,

Anita

[APS]

Hi,
I don't post much here but I read faithfully everyday and am so thankful for everyone's stories and experiences.
Kat - I second Anita's advice-get another opinion. Two years ago when my dr found fibroids, he wanted to remove my uterus too. Too many male drs (forgive the generalization)believe if anything is wrong, they want to remove your uterus. I got a second opinion (actually from another male but highly recommended dr so there goes my generalization) and he recommended only removing the fibroids.
The good news is that the surgery helped my back pain, unfortunately it was only temporary.

Earlier this year, I was in the middle of my insurance appeal for a 1 level ADR when I changed jobs. Now I'm also on UHC and haven't begun the fight with them yet (I may have to wait until year end, pain willing). From what I read here, it doesn't sound promising, but I'll fight the good fight like everyone else.
Anyway, Good luck,
Andrea

[Kat]

Thanks Anita and APS! Very good information! I will go and get a 2nd opinion. I didn't even know they could re-supend the uterus. I definitely need to do some research!

Kat

[Mariaa]

As someone who spent 14 years working as a Nurse Practitioner in OB/GYN I definately 2nd the motion to go and get a 2nd surgical opinion and a third if necessary. OB/GYNs like other specialists have different opinions of how to handle things and not knowing the particulars of your case I wouldn't want to suggest anything other than seeking a 2nd opinion at the very least. Do this first before scheduling any surgery, even if you really like your OB/GYN. Find another well respected renowned GYN in the community and make an appt (or however your insurance allows). * Choose someone not in the same practice~

[Rein]

Think of a prolapsed uterus as a glove that somehow got turned inside out. It's a fairly simple procedure to turn it right side out again. I've seen this happen at lambing time on a farm and as long as everything is done antiseptically, the ewes were never the worse for wear. Gravity and lubrication help a lot more than anything else. I still remember the episode of "All Creatures Great and Small" when the vet lowered the front end of a cow with a prolapsed uterus and gravity did most of the work. Afterwards, in the case of the sheep, a couple of well-placed stitches to prevent an immediate recurrence and the ewe was home free! I know you're not a farm animal (!!), but the basic anatomy is similar enough...

Not making light of your situation, mind you! I very much feel for your difficulty and frustration and pain. As if you didn't already have a full plate! Oi!

[ans]

I took care of my girlfriend who needed a hysterectomy (nice Latin roots, 'eh?). And I thought my umbilical hernia operation hurt.

Eight-wk. recovery time seems right.

Allan