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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 05-06-2015, 01:08 PM
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Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Unhappy Top Doctor Awards are Suspect

Trying to find a great specialist in your area is a challenging endeavor. After looking at so many of the Top Doctor lists, I found this ABC news article which debunks some of the lists as either popularity contests, paid for awards and/or doctors whose background had not been researched. It's kind of disturbing.

It seems that word of mouth referrals are still the best bet IMO. If I don't have that, I check online recommendations and then call the office. If the office personnel are difficult to work with then I usually move on to the next lead because the best specialists I have met always had really great support staff. Ironically, another rule of thumb for me is that the most brilliant minds I have met tend to also be humble people. It's ironic because they have to have a healthy ego to get to a high level of achievement in their field and yet somehow they have learned to be humble and kind. I always say "I don't have to like my doctors." I'm starting to rethink that logic

Top Doctor Awards: Are They Well Deserved? ABC News Investigation - ABC News
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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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  #2  
Old 05-06-2015, 09:07 PM
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Harrison Harrison is offline
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Well said indeed:

"...If the office personnel are difficult to work with then I usually move on to the next lead because the best specialists I have met always had really great support staff.

Ironically, another rule of thumb for me is that the most brilliant minds I have met tend to also be humble people. It's ironic because they have to have a healthy ego to get to a high level of achievement in their field and yet somehow they have learned to be humble and kind...."
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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
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Creator & producer, Why Am I Still Sick? - 2012
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  #3  
Old 05-06-2015, 11:40 PM
Stonewall_Boris Stonewall_Boris is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harrison View Post
Well said indeed:

"...If the office personnel are difficult to work with then I usually move on to the next lead because the best specialists I have met always had really great support staff.

Ironically, another rule of thumb for me is that the most brilliant minds I have met tend to also be humble people. It's ironic because they have to have a healthy ego to get to a high level of achievement in their field and yet somehow they have learned to be humble and kind...."
I totally agree based on my experience.
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  #4  
Old 05-08-2015, 12:01 PM
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randolf randolf is offline
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one office person could not send me an e-mail properly, another from another clinic was gone just after i sent a check for looking at my mri. haven't received a report or reciept for ins. and med. savings acct. as far as ego and being humble, true that. one Dr. told me he could do a hybrid 3 level surgery in 1 hour. Dr. Bierstadt says on his site that he only does 2 a day and likes to take his time and pay attention to details and get it right. that tells me he is a bit like the "soup nazi" on Seinfeld. he demanded excellance of himself, and his soup. why should he expect anything less of his customers? you can go to someone else who may or may not be as good, but just remember, if you do, NO SOUP FOR YOU! ONE YEAR!
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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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  #5  
Old 05-08-2015, 06:06 PM
Stonewall_Boris Stonewall_Boris is offline
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Dr. Bierstedt did my surgery as such I've met the man. He is one of the modest and quiet people I've ever met, that struck me when I met him pre op. He was pretty much the same way when we met post op twice, once at the hospital, once at Medicos.
It's his choice to do two surgeries a day, I'm told he'll do a third but only if it's an emergency. He likes to take his time and get it right.
I was the first that day, a 3 level lumbar ADR. The guy after me, as I recall, had a 2 level lumbar ADR and a 3 level fusion somewhere higher up. He basically had anterior and posterior surgery the same day. Last I heard he's doing well. He doesn't post to the forum.
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  #6  
Old 05-11-2015, 02:54 PM
drewrad drewrad is offline
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Clavel is much the same way IMO. Very soft spoken yet not to be interpretated as 'uncertain' in any way.
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Weightlifter since 12 years old, now mid-40's and figuring out this wasn't such a good idea.

Chronic back pain started in 2010 while shrugging weights that a 40 yr. old shouldn't even try.

MRI in 2012 showing L4/L5, L5/S1 herniations and L2/L3 bulge.

L5/S1 taking on new shape, chronic sciatica, etc.

DEXA bone scan performed 5/7/14 showing mild osteopenia.

Surgery performed July 9th, 2014, Dr Clavel, hybrid three level lumbar.
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  #7  
Old 05-11-2015, 03:54 PM
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Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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It's good to know that Dr. Bierstedt and Dr. Clavel are both such humble doctors. My research into the Surgical Outcome Forums shows the most people were very happy with both surgeons. I'll post my results later. I'm still working on the spreadsheet. It's been very enlightening.
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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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  #8  
Old 05-11-2015, 07:38 PM
Stonewall_Boris Stonewall_Boris is offline
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Cynlite,

Just so you know. I've had two serious relapses since my surgery that took me off of work for months the first time and for weeks the second. I had a three level M6 ADR at 53 years old. On my first relapse I sipped on ice, started walking funny and many symptoms pre surgery came back. Dr Bierstedt requested an X-ray to confirm the discs had not slipped, they didn't. With my second relapse I can't recall any specific trigger. Dr. Bierstedt requested blood tests on me, I haven't heard back from him yet. I think there are many factors to the outcome. Cervical vs lumbar, the number of levels, the age of the patient. Notice I didn't mention doctors or discs. I also have MPS, diagnosed by my pain doc in my upper and mid back, I don't know if that factors into it. Post op I still see my pain doc and he treats it, I also use meds for it and massage therapy.
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  #9  
Old 05-18-2015, 08:14 PM
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colorado babe colorado babe is offline
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I agree with all of you. Dr. Pettine has been my rock and is always there whenever I have a question, or concern. I have a great relationship with all of his staff and the surgeon's in his practice. They have all given me my life back and for that I am filled with gratitude.
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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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  #10  
Old 05-21-2015, 05:48 PM
Cheryl0331 Cheryl0331 is offline
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Default really?

I have always wondered about this. Who and how this is rated; by peers or what have you. Very interesting. Thanks Cynlite.
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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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