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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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Bennie did not have the chance to post this, so here is his introduction. I hope his visit went well, as his situation is very stressful and difficult. Wishing you well, Bennie!
_______________________________ Hi, I am new to this forum. I am meeting with my spinal surgeon again tomorrow, Dr. Robert Byers in Greenbrae, Marin County (Golden Gate Bridge). Looks like I will be having disc replacement surgery as soon as my insurance approves it. Had discogram/Ct-Scan 3 weeks ago. I have been in pain since I fell down the stairs 3 years ago. The pain is so intense...it's barely tolerable. I have been taking pain meds (oxycodone, morphine, duiladid, fentanyl patch...) since the fall. Eventually I became dependent and had to detox -I was home 8 days detoxing - it was awful, then check into Domus Retreat in Anaheim Hills. I was off meds for 6 months but started to take percocet (10/325) just a couple of weeks ago. The pain is too intense at this point. I have it undercontrol - I would never want to go through the process of detoxing again. Can you suggest to me some questions I should ask my doctor at the appointment tomorrow? I am very scared about this surgery because Dr. is going through abdomen. I had a minor surgery last year. I was in hospital for 3 days afterward because of abdomen pain then I was sent home after doctor said "you're being too sensitive to pain - we are in need of beds so you need to go home". 2 days later I was in the ER with massive internal bleeding. The doctor had knicked a vein during the surgery. I lost 2 liters of blood and doc told my family that he did not know if I was going to make it. I was in hospital for a month. My left lung, ovaries, right kidney, liver, small intestine were damaged because the blood ended up by coagulating on my organs. I was on a 6-minute diladid pump the entire time I was in the hospital. It took 9 months for my body to reabsorb the coagulated blood and recover. So although my spinal surgeon is one of the top surgeons in the Bay area, I am scared to have this surgery. Any words of advice?? Thank you for your advice, help, suggestions... Bennie _________________________________
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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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given your prior adverse experience (assume it was Marin General for previous surgery) see this link, 38 questions before surgery. The Spinehealth.com questions are good, althought some appear out of context to me. The are repeated in other forms on other web sites: http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/972937152.html http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/h...a/surgryqa.htm http://www.medicinenet.com/surgery_q...ns/article.htm http://www.gwdocs.com/health/eHA-eHA_Content_C-Generic_...e_1131123683311.html Add to the above (some of the questions are hard for me to ask): Which ADR device do you plan to use and why? How long ago were you trained in ADR? How many ADR procedures have you assisted with? How many ADR procedures have you done? Do my facet joints qualify, or allow me to have ADR? What is the chance of heterotopic ossification (HO) & of what grade; will HO be clinically significant? What is the chance of osteolysis? What is your view of the survivorship of the implant? What % of implants require revision within 24 months? What level(s) is/are affected? Do you want a woman surgeon, or at least a 2nd opinon? My thinking is yes to both for your sake. Possibly see (say you want to see a female doctor) <UL TYPE=SQUARE> <LI>Dr. Serena S. Hu <LI>Professor and Chief, Spine Service <LI>Dept. Orthopaedic Surger <LI>400 Parnassus, 3rd Floor <LI>SF, CA 94143 <LI>Appts: 415-353-2793 <LI>http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/medi...ine/index.html , www.ucsfhealth.org[/list]The UCSF staff got me the cost for 2-level ADR surgery plus hospital stay in x days. Dr. Hu was straight, no fuzziness, plus she has a sense of humor when allowed.
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---------------------------------------------------------- slackwater_sf 2004 MVA, 2-level lumbar surgical candidate |
#3
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Great help here Slackwater.
ans
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Severe, extensive DDD, considered inoperable by Dr. Regan, Lauressen, & some guy at UCLA. Severe foraminal stenosis (guess they can't operate!) and some spinal cord compression that Lauryssen would fix if gets outta hand. |
#4
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Bennie is online. If cervical, Dr. Hu is good and there may be an alternative, although a male, doctor doing cervical study specifically, same hospital and phone number: Praveen V. Mummaneni, M.D. He's still semi-local to Marin County, done a few surgeries, given a few talks, Prestige Cervical IDE, and other complicated issues. Net result, get a second opinon.
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---------------------------------------------------------- slackwater_sf 2004 MVA, 2-level lumbar surgical candidate |
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