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


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  #121  
Old 04-22-2015, 08:44 AM
Cheryl0331 Cheryl0331 is offline
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Default both doctors outstanding in their field

to be sure, it really comes down to who gives you the assessment that most fits with your symptoms and not just a film or report they read...
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54 yr old female 5'7" 147 lbs. non-smoker conservative treatments failed
2007 fusion @ C4-6 peek cages, failed due to long term use of cox-2 inhibitor
2008 revised C4-6 donor bone, plate & screws
2009 fusion with Roi-C @ C3-4
2015 MRI & CT mjr ddd @ C6-7, segmental kyphosis at C7-T1, 2-level M6-C prosthesis by Dr. Clavel Barcelona Spain
2019 H.O. formed behind M6-C @ C6-7 left nerve rt & in spinal canal.
2020 Revision C6-7 to a CP-ESP prosthesis by Dr. Schmitz Dusseldorf Germany
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  #122  
Old 04-25-2015, 11:36 AM
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Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Default Tricycle wheels vs Mercedes wheels Update

I'm still spinning my tricycle wheels in the US getting nowhere. I can't tell you how disappointed I am. I'm very glad I didn't rely on just the US medical system for answers or I would be very depressed by now. Phoenix has such a huge population compared to specialists that it makes it very hard to get anything done in this state medically sometimes. Unfortunately, my insurance requires that I stay in Arizona. I am not confident I will find an ADR surgeon here that will work for me.

I expect that by this time next week I should have some answers from Dr. Zeegers.

For some reason Malte has not looked at my lumbar and thoracic MRIs that I sent him on the 18th. I'm a bit frustrated with Dr. Bierstedt's office right now. I sent a follow-up email to him on Thursday and still didn't hear anything. It's not giving me a warm and cozy feeling.

I sent a package to Dr. Clavel's office on Thursday and am waiting to hear back from Yolanda.

P.S. Cozy feeling is back. I just got a message that Malte joined the Dropbox Folder with the new MRI images! I guess it must have been a busy week for him so he's catching up on the weekend.
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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
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  #123  
Old 04-25-2015, 04:17 PM
pittpete pittpete is offline
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Hey Cynlite, im not a neck guy(thank the lord)
When you had your foraminotomies, didnt they remove bone from either facets or lamina?
Is it safe to have ADR at those previously surgically worked on areas?
Excuse me if these are different levels that you were referring to because its not clear from your signature.
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Born 1970/1995-Hurt at work/1996-Right disc fragment L4-L5 discectomy-On/off back pain,no serious leg pain until/2007-Right herniation L5-S1,recurrent small herniation at L4-L5 with unbearable leg pain/6/08 discectomy L5-S1/leg pain relieved/occaisional mechanical pain/2012-Cymblata 60 mg,occasional aleve/2014-LB pain not debilitating but chronic,Rhizotomy relieves facet pain on right side/2015-L4-S1 facets shot/4/15 PLIF L4-S1 with facectomy
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  #124  
Old 04-25-2015, 04:56 PM
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Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Pittpete, below is a link to the procedure that I had done to my neck. Dr. Jho developed the technique and only a few other surgeons that he trained are doing it as far as I know. I believe the answer to your first question is "no" but, I am not entirely sure. I do not believe it it prohibiting me from having a two level ADR based on Dr. Bierstedt's diagnosis. I am in the process of getting other opinions.

Cervical Stenosis, Cervical Stenosis Surgery, Dr. Jho's No-fusion Anterior Foraminotomy Surgery for Spondylotic Cervical Stenosis Surgery or OPLL
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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
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  #125  
Old 04-25-2015, 07:34 PM
pittpete pittpete is offline
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Reading through that webpage it didnt really seem clear to what he specifically did to you, except everything is done through an endoscope.
Do you have his surgical report on what was actually done?
Were these procedures done because of stenosis?
Different flavors of stenosis Lumbar Stenosis: learn all about central and lateral stenosis
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Born 1970/1995-Hurt at work/1996-Right disc fragment L4-L5 discectomy-On/off back pain,no serious leg pain until/2007-Right herniation L5-S1,recurrent small herniation at L4-L5 with unbearable leg pain/6/08 discectomy L5-S1/leg pain relieved/occaisional mechanical pain/2012-Cymblata 60 mg,occasional aleve/2014-LB pain not debilitating but chronic,Rhizotomy relieves facet pain on right side/2015-L4-S1 facets shot/4/15 PLIF L4-S1 with facectomy
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  #126  
Old 04-26-2015, 01:09 PM
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Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Question

After reviewing my Lumbar and Thoracic MRIs, Dr. Bierstedt said he didn't see anything on them that would explain my walking problems. That's good news and I was happy to hear that. I still don't know the cause of the pain in my hips, legs and feet. The pain is in both. The pain could be cervical spine related but, there are no guarantees. I am hoping it's not because of a low grade infection hanging out in my body all these years. Still digging for the answers.

Pittpete, I commented earlier on in my thread about what I'm dealing with today. Between 2007 and 2010, I had four surgeries (c3/c4, c5/c6, c6/c7) on my neck for various reasons so, the answer is that there were multiple reasons. I would rather focus my energy on what I'm dealing with today then go back and discuss the past. I did go through my records but, it would take too long to explain and not being a surgeon, I don't understand it all myself. I hope I will understand what is going on with my neck better after my consult with Dr. Zeegers.
__________________
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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  #127  
Old 04-26-2015, 03:40 PM
Stonewall_Boris Stonewall_Boris is offline
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Cynlite,

Have you explored Prolotherapy? It worked wonders on my thoracic spine. As it was simply explained to me, the ligaments and tendons are too weak, ergo muscles take up the slack, since the muscles are constantly contracted they become overly taxed and become sore. I'm sure someone will post a more in depth explanation. After my prolotherapist got my thoracic spine under control he started on my hips and buttocks, and then he moved away! Makes me wonder if he would have continued his work if I would have needed surgery at all.
Prior to the prolo my thoracic spine felt like a sock full of walnuts. It cracked and popped all the time. At sometime during the prolo sessions the cracking and popping went away. Although I might have lost some flexibly my back felt solid and most importantly I was out of pain.

Last edited by Stonewall_Boris; 04-26-2015 at 03:58 PM. Reason: Added some more detail
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  #128  
Old 04-26-2015, 04:37 PM
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Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Unhappy

Stone ~ I have not had it done but, have been researching it as well as stem cell treatments just in case I need to turn to them later. So far, I think I need to have two discs in my neck replaced (C3/C4; C5/C6) and as soon as I am able to do it! I don't think conservative treatments are going to help my worn out discs. I'm planning on having surgery by the end of the year but, still need to get a few more opinions. There have been periods this year where I would have jumped on a plane in a heartbeat but, at least this past week, the pain is bearable and I'm living in the moment trying to be patient with the process.

I spent the morning reading Laura and Heidi's posts (2013-2014; I so appreciate everything you both shared!) plus, an old post that Gene posted. Both Laura and Heidi experienced before their surgeries much of what I experience physically only I think I'm a little worse off than them in the last six months. Gene mentioned "Lhermitte's Sign" and it describes to a tee what I experience from time to time. In addition to the constant pain, sometimes I have electrical shock like feelings that travel throughout my body, are brought on by stress and also by bending my neck down towards my chest. This is not a mild shock...it hurts like hell and stops me in my tracks! So far, no surgeon has mentioned Lhermitte's Sign to me. (Thanks Gene for posting about it! I'm posting about it again in case someone else it going through this too.) All the spine surgeons I have met in the U.S. seem to have plenty of patients and plenty of surgeries so, they don't really take the time to figure out what is going on with my body. As long as they can make money for themselves and their hospitals doing fusions, I think that is what most surgeons here will continue doing. I have accepted the weaknesses in our medical system but, I'm still saddened that our for profit healthcare system is costing people's lives and causing so much pain. We really do have to see many doctors to get the proper diagnosis in the U.S.
__________________
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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  #129  
Old 04-26-2015, 05:19 PM
pittpete pittpete is offline
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Posts: 307
Default

Quote:
Pittpete, I commented earlier on in my thread about what I'm dealing with today. Between 2007 and 2010, I had four surgeries (c3/c4, c5/c6, c6/c7) on my neck for various reasons so, the answer is that there were multiple reasons. I would rather focus my energy on what I'm dealing with today then go back and discuss the past.
What i was trying to get at is perhaps some of these past surgeries have contributed today to your chronic pain.Bone spurs removed grow back over time.Ligaments trimmed due to thickening grow back over time.
Hopefully Zeegers gives you the answers you need..
__________________
Born 1970/1995-Hurt at work/1996-Right disc fragment L4-L5 discectomy-On/off back pain,no serious leg pain until/2007-Right herniation L5-S1,recurrent small herniation at L4-L5 with unbearable leg pain/6/08 discectomy L5-S1/leg pain relieved/occaisional mechanical pain/2012-Cymblata 60 mg,occasional aleve/2014-LB pain not debilitating but chronic,Rhizotomy relieves facet pain on right side/2015-L4-S1 facets shot/4/15 PLIF L4-S1 with facectomy
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  #130  
Old 04-26-2015, 08:27 PM
Dema Dema is offline
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Cynlite, I started having electric jolts/shocks going down from neck to feet after the injury to my spinal cord (during C6 nerve root block procedure). And I also started having some pain & numbness in my thighs & legs (but not feet) after that injection, so such symptoms could be sourced in cervical area, though more common with lumbar or course.
I did try a couple of prolotherapy session, but did not help me like they did Stonewall Boris
I sent an email to Dr. Zeegers yesterday with my symptoms, and to my surprise he called me after a few hours! I am moving ahead with the homework assignment of all the background info he requires, and look forward to comparing notes! He is everything you said about him, earned our trust and sounded sincere & caring.
Best of luck,
Dema & Raouf
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7/2007 Whiplash injury
11/2009 Cervical disc herniation C3-C6 (C5-C6 worse)
2010-2013 Conservative treatments (drugs, PT, epidurals, prolotherapy, acupuncture...etc)
, little effect on pain
Considering surgery (typical questions, which type & which surgeon!)
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