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International Assistance Any topics relating to traveling or communicating with international treatment locations are here.


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  #11  
Old 01-29-2013, 08:44 PM
Claudia K.'s Avatar
Claudia K. Claudia K. is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnwhof View Post
Yes, I did go for PT and massage. I went twice a week for 2 months, and now I'm down to once a week massage, and PT every 2 weeks. I am feeling very good recently, hardly any pain at all anymore.
Wow, three level ADR, sounds like you had a very good outcome.
__________________
DDD L5-S1- mechanical back pain since 2008, disc herniation same level 2011. Siatic nerv pain and tingling in foot. Stiffness and muscle spasms in lower back.
Conservative treatments for four years only gave me temporarly pain relieve.
November 27th 2012- artificial disc replacement L5-S1 by Neurosugeon Dr. Thomas Bierstedt in Hattingen, Germany
All my symtoms are GONE!
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  #12  
Old 02-05-2013, 07:09 PM
Rev. Zen Rev. Zen is offline
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Hi Claudia, I am very happy for you and your outcome. I am still trying to figure my own situation and I had a question for you.

In terms of paying for the surgery, were you able to use insurance in any way or did you simply have to pay for the surgery out of your own pocket?
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  #13  
Old 02-07-2013, 04:25 PM
Claudia K.'s Avatar
Claudia K. Claudia K. is offline
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Hi Rev. Zen,
It's quite a process. I did pay out of pocket. In my case BCBS would not pay for anything not even a fusion (denied appeals too). Hope you find a possible solution soon.
Claudia
__________________
DDD L5-S1- mechanical back pain since 2008, disc herniation same level 2011. Siatic nerv pain and tingling in foot. Stiffness and muscle spasms in lower back.
Conservative treatments for four years only gave me temporarly pain relieve.
November 27th 2012- artificial disc replacement L5-S1 by Neurosugeon Dr. Thomas Bierstedt in Hattingen, Germany
All my symtoms are GONE!
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  #14  
Old 02-07-2013, 04:40 PM
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TPatti TPatti is offline
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What grounds did they deny fusion? BCBS just approved fusion for me, but I do not want or I want a disc at compromised adjacent levels.
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*9/10: Unstable pelvis & SI joint, sore IT band. Chiro care, I would shift out hours to days after adjust
*12/10: PT & chiro
*4/11 to 11/11: 5 sessions prolo and 3 prolo w/ PRP
*12/28/11 ESI L L4/L5 - 1/13/12 ESI R L4/L5 - 1/24/12 L SI joint capsule - 3/8/12 TPI - 3/23/12 L L5/S1 - 4/11/12 ESI caudal - 5/23/12 TPI - 7/10/12 Facet inj L3/L4, L4/L5, L5/S1
*9/12/12: 30 - DRX9000
*12/21/12 schedule. for L4/L5 fusion-CANCELLED 1/7/13
*7/16/2013: 3 level M6(S1-L3) w/ Dr. Bierstedt
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  #15  
Old 02-07-2013, 08:58 PM
johnwhof johnwhof is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Claudia K. View Post
Wow, three level ADR, sounds like you had a very good outcome.

Hi Claudia, sorry it took so long to reply. My outcome is awesome, so far. I only wish everyone would have similar success.
__________________

18 years of back pain.
Numerous x-rays
CT scans 2002 & 2010 showing disc herniation at L5-S1
MRI in 2012 showing DDD L3-S1
Scheduled for fusion here in Manitoba later in 2012 ( never did)
Went to Germany for 3 level ADR (M6) L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1 in late Sept 2012
3 months later, I feel Awesome!
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  #16  
Old 02-07-2013, 11:06 PM
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TPatti TPatti is offline
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Johnwhof,
What shape were your discs relevant to lost height? Opinion differences that I am stating to get range from 3 level adr to 2 level fusion w/ adr because of fear of too much distraction based on my low disc height and the assumption that my body has been that way for a long time.
__________________
*9/10: Unstable pelvis & SI joint, sore IT band. Chiro care, I would shift out hours to days after adjust
*12/10: PT & chiro
*4/11 to 11/11: 5 sessions prolo and 3 prolo w/ PRP
*12/28/11 ESI L L4/L5 - 1/13/12 ESI R L4/L5 - 1/24/12 L SI joint capsule - 3/8/12 TPI - 3/23/12 L L5/S1 - 4/11/12 ESI caudal - 5/23/12 TPI - 7/10/12 Facet inj L3/L4, L4/L5, L5/S1
*9/12/12: 30 - DRX9000
*12/21/12 schedule. for L4/L5 fusion-CANCELLED 1/7/13
*7/16/2013: 3 level M6(S1-L3) w/ Dr. Bierstedt
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  #17  
Old 02-07-2013, 11:23 PM
johnwhof johnwhof is offline
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I gained about one inch in height, I was told that there would be some healing pain as a result, but it was very minimal.
__________________

18 years of back pain.
Numerous x-rays
CT scans 2002 & 2010 showing disc herniation at L5-S1
MRI in 2012 showing DDD L3-S1
Scheduled for fusion here in Manitoba later in 2012 ( never did)
Went to Germany for 3 level ADR (M6) L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1 in late Sept 2012
3 months later, I feel Awesome!
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  #18  
Old 02-07-2013, 11:28 PM
Claudia K.'s Avatar
Claudia K. Claudia K. is offline
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Posts: 41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TPatti View Post
What grounds did they deny fusion? BCBS just approved fusion for me, but I do not want or I want a disc at compromised adjacent levels.

Hi TPatti,
I was denied under MillimanGuidelines ORG W0072 stating that DDD is not an approved condition for lumbar fusion procedure.."does not meet the medical necessity criteria."
It was the end of the year and I met my deductible. My guess is that they wanted to wait it out, maybe until the new year. I just couldn't wait any longer. Best of luck to you,
Claudia
__________________
DDD L5-S1- mechanical back pain since 2008, disc herniation same level 2011. Siatic nerv pain and tingling in foot. Stiffness and muscle spasms in lower back.
Conservative treatments for four years only gave me temporarly pain relieve.
November 27th 2012- artificial disc replacement L5-S1 by Neurosugeon Dr. Thomas Bierstedt in Hattingen, Germany
All my symtoms are GONE!
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 02-07-2013, 11:35 PM
johnwhof johnwhof is offline
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Posts: 26
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I hope this answers your question. I'm not quite sure what you are saying. I was told that I had made a good choice in getting the procedure done when I did because all 3 discs were completely done.
__________________

18 years of back pain.
Numerous x-rays
CT scans 2002 & 2010 showing disc herniation at L5-S1
MRI in 2012 showing DDD L3-S1
Scheduled for fusion here in Manitoba later in 2012 ( never did)
Went to Germany for 3 level ADR (M6) L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1 in late Sept 2012
3 months later, I feel Awesome!
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 02-07-2013, 11:35 PM
Claudia K.'s Avatar
Claudia K. Claudia K. is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnwhof View Post
I gained about one inch in height, I was told that there would be some healing pain as a result, but it was very minimal.
Hi johnwhof,
Me too I'm an inch taller! Still having, what I think, is "deconditioned" muscles around my operated area. Hope to resolve this with PT. Getting in and out of the car is not a problem anymore.
Claudia
__________________
DDD L5-S1- mechanical back pain since 2008, disc herniation same level 2011. Siatic nerv pain and tingling in foot. Stiffness and muscle spasms in lower back.
Conservative treatments for four years only gave me temporarly pain relieve.
November 27th 2012- artificial disc replacement L5-S1 by Neurosugeon Dr. Thomas Bierstedt in Hattingen, Germany
All my symtoms are GONE!
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