Going to Spain for 3 levell cervical ADR, (Dr. Pablo Clavel)

[Jarrod]

Mark, I got it. Thank you for clarifying the c7/ t1 situation, I was unclear about the t1/2 disc being mostly immobile and there for not being at risk for adjacent disease. I thought axial compression on a disc might also contribute to it becoming diseased also, but if most of my concern is with the motion of the disc ( flexion, extension) then I see the reasoning behind a fusion at c7/t1. Also thanks for clarifying that if an ADR is not feasible or to difficult at that level then a fusion is not the end of the world. It's like I've read on this forum so many times before, fusion does and can have a valid place in spinal situations such as with us on this board. Again thank you and everyone who posts for their knowledge and insights.
Jarrod

[cfbugsbunny]

I am glad that I found this forum. I have frequented ADRsupport.org prior to my two-level ADR at Stenum Hospital in Bremen, Germany. I did learn at this forum that Dr. Clavel is very well respected and a professional by all means. I would encourage using all information that is available to you prior to making a decision and both forums seem to provide quite a bit.
Mark

[Jarrod]

CF,

I have been on both forums since Sept. I've read all the cervical stories and have looked at my options carefully. Also researched Dr. Clavel and have talked to other forum members who have had their ADR's done by him. I read your Stenum postson ADR Support also. I have made all my arrangements and feel like 8 have justified for myself that ADR surgery is a better option than fusion or waiting for myeopthy to kick into full gear in my cervical region. I would like to thank all the hundreds of posters who have shared their stories such as yourself for their courage and willingness to try and explain their outcomes (good or bad) to us newbies. Your experience is invaluable to people like myself, I hope and pray that I am ready to tacklethe otherside like so many before me. Thanks again CF.
Jarrod

[Maria]

With your upcoming surgical endeavor and if you're so inclined please post about your experience (share) as I for one would be very interested to hear how things go. Here's hoping the surgery goes smoothly and recovery will be the same~ sincerely, Maria

[fortitudine]

Jarrod - your departure is coming up. All the best for a successful surgery and a speedy and pain-free recovery! We'll look forward to hearing how it all went.

[Jarrod]

Thanks guys,

Maria, Fortitude and all those who post and share their stories for all of us, You guys got it, I will be posting my outcome and experience as soon as I can. Taking my computer so I can update. Also very nervous, flying out Sunday at 2 p.m.. Thanks for the kind words and luck. Be talking to everyone soon. Take care,

Jarrod

[Maria]

Hope you're doing well thus far! Not sure whether you've got internet access or are up to posting at this point in time tho was just wondering how all's going and hope it's all good so far!

[cherylstewart67]

i have had stand alone peek cage at c 3/4 bone graft with plate and screws at c 4/5 5/6 and trust me when i say it will lead to more ddd. if i could go to europe, brazil, or india i would not hesitate. i just don't have 43,000 usd to do it. where am i going to get that king of money? bur fusion has failed me. the only reason doctors here still do it it is one insurance will not pay for multi level adr because the fda has not yet approved it and two the doctors would have to retrain. time out is money lost. i may be totally wrong, but after what i have been through and researched, that is merely how i feel. i can't even type well anymore, thus the reason for lower case

[Maria]

Cheryl,
there are many a doctor/surgeon here in the US that is trained to do ADR lumbar and cervical and did take the time out for this. Still as you stated FDA regulations/restrictions re levels that can be done is a limiting factor in terms of getting multi levels paid for and sometimes even a single level even if recommended by the surgeon.

I believe I'm correct in stating there are surgeons in the US as well that will do multiple levels for cash altho I believe this is even more costly than in Europe let alone other places such as India, Thailand, etc.

I had both fusion and ADR recommended for me re my lumbar area after 2 disectomies but didn't really like any of the recommendations fully enough at the time because I felt I should have vertebroplasty as well and it wasn't offered here. I couldn't afford Europe or anywhere else either tho WC would have picked up the tab at one point.

Now I'm no longer a candidate for ADR in my lumbar spine at the levels that were needing it. My L5S1 autofused and saved me the hassle of having to go for more surgery at least at that level so that was nice.

My cervical spine is somewhat problematic and so far up until at least 2 years ago I wasn't a surgical candidate or surgery wasn't recommended so I guess I'll just see what happens.

And guess what?? I have DDD in my cervical spine as well as throughout my spine. Probably well hastened in those lumbar levels (L3-L5S1) because of discectomies altho I've been told many times that my spine has DDD throughout and it's probably largely hereditary/genetic.

Whoohoo. As long as it doesn't hurt I'm Ok if it's there.

[mmglobal]

Jarrod... looking for an update... looking for GOOD NEWS!

[cherylstewart67]

yesterday i saw a nuero surgeon for what i was hoping would be a referral to a pain mgt doc as i am ready now to submit to pills. in stead he is sending me back for injections or radio freq. proceedures...anyway, once i told him that i wasn't willing to consider anymore fusions, he could not get rid of me fast enough. if fusion is all they know, that is all they will tlak about. they won't tell you the sucess of patients with adr cause they can't or won't do it here for one reason or another. but trust me, most of the time fusion should be avoided.

[dshobbies]

Cheryl,

I don't know what your insurance circumstances are but it's time to find another doctor - get more opinions, etc. No one should be dismissed because they want more information or don't want a certain procedure that a doctor recommends.

I once had a doctor tell me 'when the patient's circumstances become difficult, I simply have to work harder.' To many simply won't do that.

Regardless, I wish you and yours happy holidays - and start afresh in 2011.

Dale