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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
12-13-2009, 06:39 PM
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I am new here!
I am getting great information from this site and realizing I am not alone but overwhelmed at the same time!! I'm amazed by how some of the people on this site are actually "functioning".
I'm a 36yo middle school science teacher who used to be active (basketball, mountain biking, snowboarding, backpacking, African drum/dance performer/teacher, etc). Been on 10% disability(hip/back injury from USAF '94-'98). I had an MVA in 1/98 (cervical strain-roof on my head!) Complained off/on for years about neck/arm pain. 6/09 while camping got shooting pains down traps, shoulders, right arm just from swallowing!! MRI shows herniated disc @ C5/C6 with 50% spinal cord compression. My ins won't pay for it. Then waited 6 mos to switch to wife's ins only to find out her company just switched to my  ins company!! Finally realized this all stemmed from '98 MVA. 12/09 Just filed a new VA claim (last time it took 1.5 yrs to get disability!!) I meet all the requirements for ADR so no need for a fusion.Currently looking for surgeon + best cost effective place (US, EUR, INDIA, etc). Has anyone dealt with the VA before?
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'94-'98 USAF Currently on VA disability(10% for hip/back) '98 MVA rollover (cervical strain) complained off and on for years of neck/arm pain 6/09 MRI shows herniated disc @c5/c6 w 50% spinal cord compression. Waited 6 mos to switch to wife's ins only to find out they just switched to my POS ins company  .12/09 Started new VA claim and looking for $$ options for ADR(US, EUR, INDIA, etc). 1/10 Cervical ADR in Barcelona Spain with M6 
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#2
12-14-2009, 01:05 PM
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Welcome to the board but sorry you need to be here!
I don't have a specific answer to your question but I do hope you factor in the surgeon's experience with cervical ADR's as well as cost.
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2001 MVA; C5-C6 disk extruded ongoing physical therapy, exercise and massage ESI's, oral prednisone, trigger point injections foraminal and central stenosis C5/C6 and c6/C7 2007 EMG/nerve conduction shows pattern of chronic radiculopathy January, 2008: Prestige ST Artificial Disk Replacement, C5/6
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#3
12-14-2009, 05:28 PM
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Clarification
Hey Neckman, who is your insurance company? Also, another possible route might be a clinical trial...so there would be no costs incurred for you. You do have to do your homework on ANY trial. Most patients here have good luck with clinical trials; but a few have had poor outcomes.
So, back to you and your (censored) insurance... 
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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
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#4
12-14-2009, 10:37 PM
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Thanks for the welcome. I have United Healthcare. I guess I'll read up on the trials.
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'94-'98 USAF Currently on VA disability(10% for hip/back) '98 MVA rollover (cervical strain) complained off and on for years of neck/arm pain 6/09 MRI shows herniated disc @c5/c6 w 50% spinal cord compression. Waited 6 mos to switch to wife's ins only to find out they just switched to my POS ins company .12/09 Started new VA claim and looking for $$ options for ADR(US, EUR, INDIA, etc). 1/10 Cervical ADR in Barcelona Spain with M6
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#5
12-14-2009, 10:44 PM
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Quote:
__________________
'94-'98 USAF Currently on VA disability(10% for hip/back) '98 MVA rollover (cervical strain) complained off and on for years of neck/arm pain 6/09 MRI shows herniated disc @c5/c6 w 50% spinal cord compression. Waited 6 mos to switch to wife's ins only to find out they just switched to my POS ins company .12/09 Started new VA claim and looking for $$ options for ADR(US, EUR, INDIA, etc). 1/10 Cervical ADR in Barcelona Spain with M6
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#6
12-15-2009, 07:40 PM
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neckman,
This is a little off topic but I couldn't help but notice the name of your hometown. There is a place in NC that I pass through from time to time called "Horneytown". http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/w...ents/1504/P40/
__________________
Suffered thru every non-surgical cure known without relief. Pain management '06 to April '10, Had minimally invasive PLIF with internal fixation on 12/28/09 for isthmic spondylolisthesis of L5-S1 (TDR contra-indicated) DDD at L3-4 & L4-5, All L-Spine doing well. Episodes of no pain at all. After being relatively pain free for 4 months, C-Spine gave up. MRI due 11-1
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