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  #71  
Old 04-15-2015, 11:50 PM
colorado babe's Avatar
colorado babe colorado babe is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cynlite View Post
Ahhhhhh thanks Colorado Babe! The strength comes from being raised as a military brat LOL. I learned a lot about life way sooner than I would have liked to have but, those lessons came in handy so, I'm not complaining

I hope that my threads will someday help others as the ones before me helped me! This is really a great community. I am really DETERMINED to be a success story. Living in constant pain is no way to live life. But, for those of us that do, I learned something along the way and then observed it in my dogs. My dogs don't have any emotional attachment to feeling pain so, they just keep on truckin' after a major surgery. It's pretty amazing. I just try really hard to keep my emotions happy and not let the pain get me down.

BTW, I like your surgeon's slogan. It's something like "friends don't let friends get fused." I love it! I tell everyone I know about the alternatives but, sadly so often it falls on deaf ears. People seem to be really convinced that the surgeons doing the "golden standard" know what they are talking about and that's as far as they look.
WE do learn being in the military to be tough. You sound a lot like me when I was fighting Tricare last year. Everyone told me I would not win but I didn't give up.
When you walk into Dr. Pettine's office you see his military plaques, and on his wall is a plaque that says: Friends don't give friends fusions. Unfortunately for me, after much discussion and my bone density test, we had no choice. I am not complaining because he promised me 95 percent mobility and I have it. If I had to do over again, you bet I would do it and not get the pro-disc.

You are going to win this...I just know it. Keep on fighting the good fight!
__________________
1998- Injured neck and back in USAF
2011 - Started experiencing Severe Symptoms, Migranes, numbness, spasms in legs and feet and sciatica.
Feb 2014 - Received upper Lumbar Injection - Severe Allergy to injection
Mar 2014 - MRI of Cervical and Lumbar, protruding disc in C3-7, Herniated Disc in L5/S1, placed on STD and FMLA )
July 2014 - Stem Cell Procedure performed
Oct 20, 2014 - ADR (MOBI-C) at C5-7 and Anterior Fusion at L5/S1 by Dr. Pettine and Dr. Techy
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  #72  
Old 04-16-2015, 03:05 AM
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scoop302 scoop302 is offline
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Going alone raises a very interesting dilemma. I think that I could have done it on my own, cervical is easier than lumbar. I do believe that it was better to have someone there when I was doing all of the walking around. I never had a problem and never needed any help, but it does make one feel more relaxed just in case.
__________________
1979 car accident: rear ended
1980 ACDF C4-5
4/8/11 stopped, hit again
3 epidurals, PT, 2 MRI's,etc.
scheduled 3 times for C5-6, 6-7 fusion,
plus laminectomy at C3-4, and C 7, advised to do Bilateral lamino-foraminotomy C5-6, C6-7,a Percutaneous Discectomy L4 -L5
7/14 RFA on L3 to L5 (awake, local only)
C5-6,6-7 M-6 ADR with Dr. Clavel 9/17/14,
12/7/15 RFA L2-S1, Facet injections C2-7
6/3/16 RFA L2-S1, epidural L4,5, 8/26/16 RFA C1-7
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  #73  
Old 04-16-2015, 12:45 PM
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Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 666
Default Is there a good Mobi-C surgeon in Arizona?

Dang, I have gone through the Member List here and didn't find a single person who has had ADR surgery in Arizona. It definitely feels like the wild, wild west! I guess that is what I have to expect since we don't have any top notch medical schools in Arizona. Fusion, fusion, fusion that's all they seem to know ....Sigh.....

I went to the Mobi-C site Surgeon Finder and looked through all the surgeons that are local. I didn't find any surgeon that was truly remarkable. There are three listed at the Barrow Institute (best we have here) and I have a referral to one of them. I'm STILL trying to get the appointment! I wonder why the Mayo in Phoenix never shows up in my searches? Sigh again ....

Well, on a good note, my neck hurts but, the migraine has sort of gone hiding in the distance of my head waiting to rear it's ugly pain. I hope it stays hiding today. I can deal with this low grade headache. The last week has been pretty brutal. I had to spend too much time on the computer and it couldn't be avoided since the IRS waits for no one. I just have to remember to not look down. All hell breaks loose when I do that!
__________________
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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  #74  
Old 04-16-2015, 01:25 PM
colorado babe's Avatar
colorado babe colorado babe is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 345
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cynlite View Post
Dang, I have gone through the Member List here and didn't find a single person who has had ADR surgery in Arizona. It definitely feels like the wild, wild west! I guess that is what I have to expect since we don't have any top notch medical schools in Arizona. Fusion, fusion, fusion that's all they seem to know ....Sigh.....

I went to the Mobi-C site Surgeon Finder and looked through all the surgeons that are local. I didn't find any surgeon that was truly remarkable. There are three listed at the Barrow Institute (best we have here) and I have a referral to one of them. I'm STILL trying to get the appointment! I wonder why the Mayo in Phoenix never shows up in my searches? Sigh again ....

Well, on a good note, my neck hurts but, the migraine has sort of gone hiding in the distance of my head waiting to rear it's ugly pain. I hope it stays hiding today. I can deal with this low grade headache. The last week has been pretty brutal. I had to spend too much time on the computer and it couldn't be avoided since the IRS waits for no one. I just have to remember to not look down. All hell breaks loose when I do that!
One of our members here is from Arizona and he said there are no surgeons in Arizona to do ADR. He was going to come here to Colorado but by the time he received estimates, a surgery date, he had already paid for his flight to Spain and was already scheduled with Dr. Clavel. You are better off trying to figure out if you can go out of state. I believe the poster I am referring to had Blue Cross. If they don't cover out of state, then I suggest you go to Europe. However, if you can wait a few months, you could always appeal and hope they will allow you to go to an out of state surgeon.
__________________
1998- Injured neck and back in USAF
2011 - Started experiencing Severe Symptoms, Migranes, numbness, spasms in legs and feet and sciatica.
Feb 2014 - Received upper Lumbar Injection - Severe Allergy to injection
Mar 2014 - MRI of Cervical and Lumbar, protruding disc in C3-7, Herniated Disc in L5/S1, placed on STD and FMLA )
July 2014 - Stem Cell Procedure performed
Oct 20, 2014 - ADR (MOBI-C) at C5-7 and Anterior Fusion at L5/S1 by Dr. Pettine and Dr. Techy
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  #75  
Old 04-16-2015, 01:48 PM
Cynlite's Avatar
Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Posts: 666
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I can't go out of state because I have a Medicare HMO. They told me if I do go out of state, I would have to get prior authorization and prove medical necessity. They are going to point me right back to my area and fusion. I would bet on that! My other choice would be to wait until January and go on straight Medicare where I'm responsible for 20%. I'll have to look into that again but, I remember thinking that was a dead end a month ago.

There are surgeons doing ADR in Arizona. I have found several that use the Prodisc-C LOL! We don't need to talk about that disc again. I laugh because I feel like I'm chasing my tail like my Labrador puppy. I keep running in circles finding the same ole same ole. Hopefully, I'll get in to see the surgeon at Barrow that trains the other surgeons on the Mobi-C device. I have no idea how much surgery experience he has with it but, he gets decent reviews. I'm pretty sure he's not at the same level as Dr. Pettine or the three surgeons in Europe. I doubt it or I'd be reading about it. There are possibly a few out of network but, what's the point. I might as well go to Europe. I'm just trying to exhaust all options first and I want to see the Mobi-C doctor locally just to get his opinion.

I have spent so many years lining up care for my Mom and Dad who had excellent insurance that paid 100%, that I'm used to finding the "rock star" surgeons and doctors. You know them when you meet them! I'm looking for a rock star in my stupid HMO and I can't find one
__________________
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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  #76  
Old 04-16-2015, 02:12 PM
colorado babe's Avatar
colorado babe colorado babe is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 345
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cynlite View Post
I can't go out of state because I have a Medicare HMO. They told me if I do go out of state, I would have to get prior authorization and prove medical necessity. They are going to point me right back to my area and fusion. I would bet on that! My other choice would be to wait until January and go on straight Medicare where I'm responsible for 20%. I'll have to look into that again but, I remember thinking that was a dead end a month ago.

There are surgeons doing ADR in Arizona. I have found several that use the Prodisc-C LOL! We don't need to talk about that disc again. I laugh because I feel like I'm chasing my tail like my Labrador puppy. I keep running in circles finding the same ole same ole. Hopefully, I'll get in to see the surgeon at Barrow that trains the other surgeons on the Mobi-C device. I have no idea how much surgery experience he has with it but, he gets decent reviews. I'm pretty sure he's not at the same level as Dr. Pettine or the three surgeons in Europe. I doubt it or I'd be reading about it. There are possibly a few out of network but, what's the point. I might as well go to Europe I'm just trying to exhaust all options first and I want to see a Mobi-C doctor locally just to get his opinion. I have spent so many years lining up care for my Mom and Dad who had excellent insurance that paid 100%, that I'm used to finding the "rock star" surgeons and doctors. You know them when you meet them! I'm looking for a rock star in my stupid HMO and I can't find one
I will contact Phil and see why he didn't want anyone from Arizona doing his surgery. Most likely due to the Pro-disc. I'll try to get a hold of him and let you know!
__________________
1998- Injured neck and back in USAF
2011 - Started experiencing Severe Symptoms, Migranes, numbness, spasms in legs and feet and sciatica.
Feb 2014 - Received upper Lumbar Injection - Severe Allergy to injection
Mar 2014 - MRI of Cervical and Lumbar, protruding disc in C3-7, Herniated Disc in L5/S1, placed on STD and FMLA )
July 2014 - Stem Cell Procedure performed
Oct 20, 2014 - ADR (MOBI-C) at C5-7 and Anterior Fusion at L5/S1 by Dr. Pettine and Dr. Techy
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  #77  
Old 04-16-2015, 02:26 PM
Cynlite's Avatar
Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 666
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Thank you Colorado Babe!
__________________
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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  #78  
Old 04-17-2015, 02:22 PM
AZMtnman AZMtnman is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 11
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I'm curious what AZ surgeons/clinics you've consulted. I've been working with Sonoran Spine. They seem to have a positive opinion of cervical ADR, but a negative opinion of lumbar ADR. I'm not sure if their negative opinion is based on experiences with the older generation devices or just because it's not their specialty.

So personally, with L4-5-S1 issues, I hate to shop doctors as if I'm just looking for someone to tell me what I want to hear, but I'm at the point that I want to get a broader range of opinions.
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  #79  
Old 04-17-2015, 02:39 PM
Cynlite's Avatar
Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 666
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I spoke to Dr. Randall Porter, MD at the Barrow Institute. He is a fusion and a Pro-disc surgeon. Now I'm trying to get in with the Mobi-C specialist also the Barrow Institute. Dr. Yeung is a respected ADR surgeon here however, he only uses the Pro-Disc. The other surgeons I spoke to were quite a few years ago so, they're not relevant. There are a lot of stories of people who have had unsuccessful surgeries with the Pro-disc so, I wouldn't recommend that one since there is better technology today.

I'm looking for someone that has a lot of experience but, that's hard to find in Arizona. Most likely to find a great surgeon, I think you're going to have to travel out of state or to Europe. Dr. Pettine in Colorado is a good one and Dr. Bluementhal in Texas is also recommended. I think the problem we have here in Arizona is because of lack of experience with ADR and probably due to the older technology as you mentioned. The surgeons that participated in the trials are the ones with the most experience and they are all over the country.

In the US, I believe there's a new lumbar disc getting ready to be approved by the FDA. You'll need to talk to the other lumbar patients here on this website as I'm not up on that. Also, fusion and ADR in the lumbar spine is more complicated because of the weight it has to bear. In some cases, I've read that fusion may be the better option but again you need to talk to others about that. It really is patient specific.
__________________
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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  #80  
Old 04-17-2015, 03:03 PM
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randolf randolf is offline
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Posts: 47
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hi everybody
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2007 mri revealed all but 2 discs of entire spine are either bulged, some torn, a few herniated and compressing foramenal nerves or chord c3-4 fusion. myelomalacia at 2 levels, facet arthropathy, spinal and foramenal stenosis, yadda, yadda...
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