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The Big File All issues not easily categorized in the above forums are here. Comments on general health, diet, "getting comfortable," and more are here. |
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#1
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The "power" of your own medical records
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"Harrison" - info (at) adrsupport.org Fell on my ***winter 2003, Canceled fusion April 6 2004 Reborn June 25th, 2004, L5-S1 ADR Charite in Boston Founder & moderator of ADRSupport - 2004 Founder Arthroplasty Patient Foundation a 501(c)(3) - 2006 Creator & producer, Why Am I Still Sick? - 2012 Donate www.arthropatient.org/about/donate |
#2
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Good article Harrison!
I have compiled almost all 9 years of my medical history regarding my spine and put it all on a disc. I offered it to the last surgeon I saw who declined to take it but, also ordered MRI exams. I am now still fighting 2 weeks later to get the MRI exams approved by my insurance company because they don't have the information they need to approve them. Our closed system regarding medical records creates so many problems and is unproductive because it takes up people's time to solve the problems resulting from it. Thank goodness my problems are not life threatening!
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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 |
#3
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great article. I just spent the last two weeks trying to get copies of my MRI's and X Ray's from one imaging place. They couldn't find it, they lost it, that person isn't here, and you need a script from the doctor requesting it, and they will get it to him. I guess the: I paid for them, they are pictures of me, they belong to me, etc, just doesn't matter anymore.
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1979 car accident: rear ended 1980 ACDF C4-5 4/8/11 stopped, hit again 3 epidurals, PT, 2 MRI's,etc. scheduled 3 times for C5-6, 6-7 fusion, plus laminectomy at C3-4, and C 7, advised to do Bilateral lamino-foraminotomy C5-6, C6-7,a Percutaneous Discectomy L4 -L5 7/14 RFA on L3 to L5 (awake, local only) C5-6,6-7 M-6 ADR with Dr. Clavel 9/17/14, 12/7/15 RFA L2-S1, Facet injections C2-7 6/3/16 RFA L2-S1, epidural L4,5, 8/26/16 RFA C1-7 |
#4
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Wow, U2 -- so much work just to do the minimum as a patient. I hope life gets easier for both of you!
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"Harrison" - info (at) adrsupport.org Fell on my ***winter 2003, Canceled fusion April 6 2004 Reborn June 25th, 2004, L5-S1 ADR Charite in Boston Founder & moderator of ADRSupport - 2004 Founder Arthroplasty Patient Foundation a 501(c)(3) - 2006 Creator & producer, Why Am I Still Sick? - 2012 Donate www.arthropatient.org/about/donate |
#5
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Harrison, I agree with Cynlite. It's a great article. Several years ago, I started insisting on getting copies of all written reports and CD's of any imaging studies that I undergo. I am often told that your ordering physician will get all that information. When this happens, I tell them that I have a legal right to my records and if they can't send them to me I will stop at their office and pick it up.
With respect to surgical procedures, I always request a copy of the written surgical report shortly after the procedure takes place. I also insist on copies of blood work, bone density tests, and the results of other procedures (i.e. colonoscopy, endoscopy). During my recent consultation with Dr. Blumenthal at TBI, he complimented me on having such good records. He indicated that this made his exam easier, as he felt he knew me before actually meeting me in person. Many medical practices are setting up their own online, secure portals where patients can get access to their information. I highly recommend that everyone set this up with every medical practice to which he or she is associated with. Gene
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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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