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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  
Old 02-23-2005, 09:16 AM
Mariaa Mariaa is offline
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I didn't think Arnold's plans for WC reform in CA. was going to apply to me as my case is old, however, I was wrong..

Shortly after moving back to CA. I found a great new PM doc. He allows 6 ESIs/year. This would be great for me as they work so well that I could span them out over the year. I mean they work incredibly well for me.

The Nurse Case Manager called yesterday and said the other 2 injections were approved (in a series of 3) but that is all they wanted to allow for this year.

Then she went on to say that the doctor I had seen in Fla. over the last year and a half charged some outrageous amounts which I thought given the set up he had going on. I made this clear more than one time to the NCM..

The Claims Adjustor apparently also wanted to know why I didn't have the ADR surgery since it's been authorized. I think the authorization for this has died out at this point since I've decided to wait..

I'm having so much pain lately just from walking at an incline. I can hardly walk the dog down the street, and yesterday I had to go out to do laundry then later in the day I vacumned. Whoopee~ that was enough to cause a great amount of burning pain in the tailbone and buttocks today and just pain/pressure when standing upright.

Well, WC has been good to me to date.. guess I shouldn't complain, I just mourn the loss of temporary freedom from pain~
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  #2  
Old 02-23-2005, 10:26 AM
JL JL is offline
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Mariaa, I have also had good success from ESI's, not great, but I'll take them any day. Once or twice I actually felt like what it used to be like in the old days. For a short time I was taking bike rides with my children and doing some good swimming and walking. They gave me the confidence of what may be wrong and I pursued it very aggressively. I guess as a diagnostic tool they were beneficial that they knocked down the pain and help identify it. I don't know how you do it. Probably best to take what you can when you can. I don't know how we all do it. One day at a time.
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(Bill) 14 yrs L5-S1 pain & tear
Discography 2003 DDD
10 yrs. chiropractic
6-14-05 L4/5 & L5/S1 Prodisc Yale New Haven CT Dr. James Yue
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  #3  
Old 02-25-2005, 09:18 PM
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Cindee Cindee is offline
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Hi Maria
I know you must know being a nurse, that having ESIs may hinder surgery for you. I guess what I am really trying to say is, why dont you have the surgery? I know I have asked this before, but I didnt fully understand. If your in so much pain, on so many meds, getting 6 ESIs a year, why would you ever want to wait one more day? There is great resolution to this pain of yours. I so want you to have it. Please dont be mad at my boldness here. I care alot about you and all you go through. But being on the otherside...makes everything so clear. Please, please dont take offense...I just dont understand.
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Back pain began Jan 18th 2000 no trauma
MRI revealed severe DDD L5 S-1 with a 7mm disc bulge
Microdiscectomy/Lami Oct 12th 2000
Leg pain resolved, but back continued to be painful
Neck pain began Feb 2003 no trauma
MRI revealed DDD level C6/7 with a disc bulge
C spine fusion done on Aug 14th 2003
Still needed lumbar 2 level fusion, ugh
Met Dr Rick Delamarter, entered trial
2 Level Prodisc completed Aug 12th 2004
Now (2011) experiencing numbness and heaviness of both legs
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  #4  
Old 02-25-2005, 10:50 PM
Mariaa Mariaa is offline
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Cindy,
I still have a potential 3 level problem. The L3 disc is disrupted and has a tear. On first discogram it was concordant for pain and on 2nd discogram it wasn't. L4 and L5S1 are to be replaced.
My case is a bit more involved than yours and I would prefer not to be under trial parameters when having this surgery as I think if there is more that needs to be done, it could be done because the surgeon could then use his own perogative on how to proceed.
You are younger than me with much less involvement than I've had in terms of levels and some other things going on.
I also would like for the surgeons to gain more experience at doing multiple levels and some complicated cases...
That's just my thinking...
BTW, I'm not sure that ESIs are any more damaging to the bone density than is not being on one's feet for a length of time and the lack of Calcium absorption (and esp. withdrawl of Calcium in menopause which I'm going thru..).
And lastly we are in a temporary dwelling right now and need to relocate to a house or bigger apt. so I will definately wait until that is over with..
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  #5  
Old 02-26-2005, 05:29 PM
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Cindee Cindee is offline
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Nice, you are so right. I tend to think very narrow-minded at times, and listening to you live through all your pain is so discouraging. But I see now you know exactly where you are, and where you want to go. I can only wish you the very best and SOON! Thanks for explaining once more. You are amazing.
__________________
Back pain began Jan 18th 2000 no trauma
MRI revealed severe DDD L5 S-1 with a 7mm disc bulge
Microdiscectomy/Lami Oct 12th 2000
Leg pain resolved, but back continued to be painful
Neck pain began Feb 2003 no trauma
MRI revealed DDD level C6/7 with a disc bulge
C spine fusion done on Aug 14th 2003
Still needed lumbar 2 level fusion, ugh
Met Dr Rick Delamarter, entered trial
2 Level Prodisc completed Aug 12th 2004
Now (2011) experiencing numbness and heaviness of both legs
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  #6  
Old 02-26-2005, 10:40 PM
Mariaa Mariaa is offline
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Cindy,
I think you are very supportive and have always appreciated your input. Sorry if I sounded somewhat cranky in my above post, have been in quite a flare up lately and even felt myself like "what am I waiting for?"!
Did I read something somewhere that you said about being able to dance all night long?? Wow, would I ever like to be able to do that again!!
Gave it up long ago but did I ever push the limits as long as I could with the injuries I had!!
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  #7  
Old 02-27-2005, 08:27 AM
DWebster DWebster is offline
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Cindee,
You stated that ESI's may keep you from getting surgery? I am waiting to see if I get surgery from DR. Bertagnoli, I canceled injection once because I did not know if they would cause problems, (they help me so much, I get about two weeks of relief before pain return but the brake in pain is so wonderful!!) I had sent two e-mail�s to Dr. Bertagnoli's office asking them if they were ok to have but I have not received any reply�s. Can anyone tell me more about there effects? I would rather do with out than to take a chance on effecting me having ADR surgery.
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87 Lam 88 Lam no help. 11/12/04 was told I needed fusion at 2 levels L4/5 & S1/5, ADR Surgery date was 5/13/2013 with Dr. Bertagnoli had fusion on S1/L5 and ADR on L5/L4. it is now 8 years post surgery and do not even take an aspirin for my back.
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  #8  
Old 02-27-2005, 11:44 AM
Mariaa Mariaa is offline
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DWebster,
I've asked both spine surgeons that I saw regarding having ESIs rather close to surgery as I was living in Florida at the time and would have had to fly to CA. and stay for this surgery and some post op time.
Both surgeons said it was "ok". However, what I would recommend is that if one was getting a diagnostic discogram prior to the surgery just to make sure at what levels pain can be recreated, personally I would opt not to have the ESI 2-3 months before surgery if possible.
All the PMs and OSS's I've talked with said the injections are only good for a month's time.
What is often tried with patients tho is the series of 3 ESIs given every 2-3 weeks so that there is an overlapping effect and also a hope that the relief will last longer.
I believe this is when there is less wrong than with we previously surgerized persons, facing the liklihood of more surgery for relief as the damage is done so to speak and not likely to be easily quieted or dispelled.
Have you addressed this question to Dr.Fenk-Mayer?
I doubt one more ESI is going to do any more damage than what has already been done but I know we differ in opinions here.
Dr.Whitworth over at MGH might be a very good resource. He's a PM specialist that answers questions there quite often: www.braintalk.org and then scroll down to Spine Disorders and address a new topic question to him directly.
You may have to register for this website if you're haven't already but it also is a good resource website tho a bit too big for my liking..
take care and good luck with your pain level and upcoming surgery~
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  #9  
Old 02-27-2005, 12:22 PM
DWebster DWebster is offline
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Thanks Mariaa, I have not had a Discogram yet, so I would rather error on the side of pain then to take a chance on effecting my long term out come. I did E-mail Dr.Fenk-Mayer Twice but have not recieved a reply as of yet. I have a very hard time being pateint, I am just like a little kid, I want to know everyting right now. Mark says he thinks I will hear from them sometime this coming week. I am also still waiting to get something in writing from the insurance company. Again thanks for your help. I hope things change soon so that you can get your ADR's before long.
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87 Lam 88 Lam no help. 11/12/04 was told I needed fusion at 2 levels L4/5 & S1/5, ADR Surgery date was 5/13/2013 with Dr. Bertagnoli had fusion on S1/L5 and ADR on L5/L4. it is now 8 years post surgery and do not even take an aspirin for my back.
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  #10  
Old 02-28-2005, 11:26 AM
Dano Dano is offline
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Maria, I'm sorry you found out the big bad lie that has befallen Californina's inured workers. Yes, many of arnolds plan effect all injured ca workers regardless of when you got hurt! Although, he refuses to place cost containment on the premiems the Ins. Co's charge to employeers! You are lucky that they will allow a serries of 3. The ACOM guidlines say, "3 months apart for each shot"! There is legislation going through to get those guidlines thrownout. If you have any questions about WC I can answer or find the ans. I'm my unions WC rep and have access to lot's of info. Take care, I pray for you top have pain free days! Dano
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Firefighter/Paramedic Montebello Fire Dept in Los Angeles, Local 3821. Hurt lifting a patient, 1990 L5/S1 MicroDisk 1990,93,2002 L4/L5 Hurt by Combative pt. 2003- IDET 2003 re-tore L4/L5- 2004 over 14 yrs (15 +blocks and epidur's) TwoLevelCharite
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