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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.


View Poll Results: The grade I give my doctor's office is:
A 6 33.33%
B 2 11.11%
C 4 22.22%
D 4 22.22%
F 2 11.11%
Voters: 18. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 08-25-2006, 07:47 AM
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Harrison Harrison is offline
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Well, most of us that have had good outcomes with surgery offer our docs high praise. But many of us have also suffered through the frustration of “less than perfect” office or admin support. I often hear these complaints from patients – but why not share it publicly! Shouldn’t the medical professionals here it from the global patient community!?

If you would, succinctly reply with your gripes regarding communications (of any kind, e.g. getting through, billing, responses, appointment setting or waiting, etc).

If you want, you can also vote in this one question poll – giving your doctor’s office a letter grade for supporting you – the patient. Please be succinct & polite, as this topic will be read by medical professionals around the world.

Lastly, we hope that this simple exercise will help professionals better understand the patients' perspective; perhaps even use it to make improvements.
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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
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  #2  
Old 08-25-2006, 11:29 AM
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Harrison Harrison is offline
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Hey, don't forget to reply!
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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
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  #3  
Old 08-25-2006, 07:36 PM
David David is offline
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1st specialist (Orthopaedic surgeon) I went to started describing fusion to me when he knew damn well that I wanted ADR (after the most painful discogram ever performed on a living human being).

When I stopped him and told him that I wanted ADR (again), his response was that they hadn't learned that yet at their office, so I should just wait for him to learn, and then have surgery.

Ummm...no, thanks. Bye!

2nd specialist (Neurosurgeon) that I went to was experienced in ADR, but not in multi-level ADR, and wanted me to wait a year for multi-level ADR surgery to gain acceptance in the U.S. He almost fell out of his chair when I suggested German surgeon.

Later!
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Surgery: 14-NOV-2006; Straubing, Germany (Dr. B.)
L4-S1: Prodisc
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  #4  
Old 08-25-2006, 10:05 PM
letteski letteski is offline
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I saw and got opinions from 9 doctors before choosing Dr Delamarter. I have to be honest, he is an excellent surgeon but his front office staff was less then desirable to work with. I had to beat them into the ground to get anywhere. But my persistence paid off. Once I got through the front office and had my surgery I have worked with the back office staff his PA’s and the research department and they have been great. They answer all my phone calls the same day, relay messages to Dr Delamarter and he has called me personally on several occasions to check in on how I was doing. Now that what I call A+ service.
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Paulette
ProDisc L5-S1 W/Dr Delamarter Aug 23, 2005
L5-S1 DDD Diagnosis 12/04
T-12 Compression Fracture 10/04
C-7 Spines Process Fracture 5/99
http://prodisc2.blogspot.com/
You are my Rock God in you I can do anything
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  #5  
Old 08-26-2006, 02:16 PM
livjoyful livjoyful is offline
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Saw 6! Orthepedic surgeons...all told me there was nothing they could do. DDD to progressed to do fusion. Told by 3 would be unable to walk by 45 (was 35 at the time), that my spine wouldnt be able to support me.
Spent hours and hours and more hours online trying to find anything. Found ADR Forum, and Dr. Gurr. the rest is history.
Dr.s did'nt want to offer ADR? or didnt know about it? Dont know which. Bothe are just as bad.
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  #6  
Old 08-27-2006, 10:02 AM
Ann F Ann F is offline
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For me, three neurologists, all had opinions based on what I told them of my symptoms, none bothered to get xrays or MRIs. One said PT would fix, one gave me scripts for different muscle relaxers even when I told her I didn't liek them, one said my headaches and weakness down my arms was caused by excessive alcohol consumption. My orthopedic docs, however, started with x rays then MRIs. First one did fusions in 1998(technology at the time) then moved out of the state. Dr Yue replaced him and sent me to Dr B. in 2005 for an ADR. I've been very happy with Dr Yue & his staff.

Ann
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Congenital fusion at C4-5
Two level fusion at C3-4, C5-6 in 1998
ADR at C6-7 in 2005 by Dr Bertagnoli.
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  #7  
Old 08-29-2006, 12:50 AM
chasswen chasswen is offline
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Quote:
excessive alcohol consumption
ann f
excessive alcohol consumption did you sugest a smaller glass of beer at time also. LOL
chuck
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ddd 1990
2003 mri,xrays,shots,emg
2004 discogram ouch pos l4 l5
facet block neg
lost all appeals BCBS 5 months of that
3 surgeons later
surgery with dr. bertagnoli aug 2nd 2006 in Bogen Germany Successfully ProDisc-L L-4 L-5
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  #8  
Old 08-29-2006, 05:03 AM
tmont tmont is offline
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Quote:
one said my headaches and weakness down my arms was caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
Did you tell her you'd cut back to straight Listerine??

Man, if it weren't so sad it would be funny.

One NS said my symptoms were 'psychological' because after 2 weeks in the hospital (in the wrong ward) he didn't find anything abnormal in his exam of me beyond the pain. He didn't have the MRI report--which I hadn't been given but had been told by an intern 'nothing unusual; you're complaining about nothing' ).

When I exploded and basically called him both arrogant and incompetent, he went and got the MRI report himself and saw 'massive discal hernia C6-C7 with cord impingement'. OOPSIE, someone screwed up just a tad....(YA THINK??!)

From there I found my way from 'rheumatology' to neurosurgery' and my NS, and finally got the quality treatment we all deserve.

So the emoticon order for Round 1 was:



(Round 2 in progress...)

Trace
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  #9  
Old 09-04-2006, 12:37 PM
sahuaro sahuaro is offline
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This whole spine thing has been an incredible experience with the medical community here but I will limit this to my latest encounter with a neurologist. First, as to staff: I arrived carrying all of my MRI films, which are heavy and bulky; the receptionist demands that I write the check for my co-pay before she offers to take the MRI's. Oh well, it's always good to see the doc when you're in pain...Then I received a bill for the entire visit and when I called the billing office, they had no record of my having insurance nor of my co-payment. All of this could be laughed off in retrospect except the neurologist was (another) disaster. He walked in having read the notes from the 3 other neurologists in his practice I've seen (and no, I did not give authorization to release the records) and before I had a chance to state my "presenting complaint," said, "No good surgeon will touch you." The records he had are out-dated--there have been further developments--and I did not have a chance to tell him about the NS in town who wants to do a fusion nor of my consults with Dr. Yue and Dr. Bertagnoli. When I told him I can't look up at the ceiling, his response was, "You can live without looking at the ceiling." He insisted that my tingling was carpal tunnel--despite the fact that my ortho surgeon who is a shoulder/elbow/hand specialist has ruled it out several times now. Without doing the necessary tests, he told me I don't have thoracic outlet syndrome, despite the ortho's having diagnosed that. He did confirm that I have left triceps weakness and did order an MRI. He did do a nerve conduction test but no EMG--and despite the nerve conduction test's being normal, prescribed a wrist brace for my "carpal tunnel."
When the MRI came back with "no change" (but still showing cervical problems) he called to say I didn't need to come back for a follow-up.
I just had an EMG done (by another doc in this practice) which definitely shows cervical radiculopathy. As far as I'm concerned, it's time to go to LA for a decent neuro exam.
The silver lining is that I am so much more sensitive to my own patients' complaints about their treatment by docs and their staff.
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2001 MVA; C5-C6 disk extruded
ongoing physical therapy, exercise and massage
ESI's, oral prednisone, trigger point injections
foraminal and central stenosis C5/C6 and c6/C7
2007 EMG/nerve conduction shows pattern of chronic radiculopathy
January, 2008: Prestige ST Artificial Disk Replacement, C5/6
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  #10  
Old 09-04-2006, 02:30 PM
Ann F Ann F is offline
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Chuck, If anything, alcohol consumption HELPS my ongoing tight neck by relaxing it, and it's much more fun than muscle relaxers. 2nd best to VIOXX....which I could take anytime of day...
Ann
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Congenital fusion at C4-5
Two level fusion at C3-4, C5-6 in 1998
ADR at C6-7 in 2005 by Dr Bertagnoli.
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