2nd post: Anyone out there with successful 3 level cervical ADR? Getting desperate.

[mmglobal]

AJ, the problems we have with insurance companies are even worse with the VA. Your doctor may have been correct when he said he could not do a 2-level, even if the reason was not the FDA.

BTW, you win the first annual BEST AVATAR award!!! great pic.

Mark

[Maria]

AJ
One thing I've learned having worked for the VA as an RN and having worked for numerous health care systems as an RN and a Nurse Practitioner and having been a spine patient is ~ disappointment, anger and such feelings are normal with regard to unmet expectations and things that do not work as we hoped for however deep pockets will often outweigh (with regard to lawsuit or threat of lawsuit) will often outweigh our (the patient) potential angst, anger, disappointment, etc.

My experience in healthcare has shown me that many things can be obscured (such as the truth) so that no matter what I want or wish for or even expect in terms of quality of care and meeting standards of care in the community may not be met but for some odd reason if one brings forth complaints (or threats) to a provider or system their legal force (shield) will be raised.

My advice to you would be to not alert "the system" if possible and gather your resources should you really be unhappy, displeased, etc and think there is anything you can do about it.

My own personal experience has been with spine surgery is that nothing is really guaranteed so unless there is a really something that can be legally disputed (and maybe that is true for you) there won't be much to be done except going thru the stages of grieving re loss...

I hope that you are doing better and that you will be doing better if not at this point or some time in the future. If I could have had some assurance that if I needed a 3 level ADR vs. a 2 level once the surgeon went in I would have had surgery however I pretty much understood that if a 2 level ADR or a one level ADR and one level fusion was being authorized re surgery that was the surgery that would be done and paid for by insurance and not a penny more (mine coverage was thru WC) ...

Got to have the understanding before going into it too as well... as we do sign the consents re surgery.

Good luck. I hope things will get better... Maria

[ajspine]

Hi Maria,
Thank you so much for your feedback, it is greatly appreciated. I am not going to threaten a lawsuit, I don't even think I am allowed to sue the VA. What I will do is demand that I receive the treatment that I am supposed to receive. My Dr could have very well been telling the truth in that the VA will only allow one level at a time and not because of the FDA. But as with many things in the VA, the patient is left in the dark.
We are not asked to be apart of our healthcare choices, they are made for us and if we demand answers, or even help. we risk being labeled a "Bad Patient" and black listed within the VA care system. When usually all we want is for someone to care and to actually listen to our problems, concerns, and let us be a part of our own healing process.
I did have a good surgeon and he was honest with me going in with this surgery: it will not fix everything but if it fixes your constant headaches then I would see it as a success. It has diminished my head aches but my neck and arm pain are not better, if anything they are worse. So the VA philosophy is: we have done everything we can so we no longer want to treat your pain-unless you would like more surgery. Somewhat like an ultimatum: if you want more surgery we will be happy to treat your pain but if you would like pain management with massage, acupuncture, aquatic PT and Therapy, we will no longer treat your pain. So my choices will be surgery after surgery(because they keep finding things to fix) or NO treatment for my chronic pain.
The way the VA system works is horrible and as a freind recently described it: a National Disgrace. Thank you for caring and responding. I will update my other thread with news about my Pain treatment.
AJ

[ajspine]

Hi Mark,
It was wonderful to hear from you and I will keep the forum updated re Spine treatment through the VA. And I have never won anything, so thanks!! I am the red head in the middle and my two daughters are each giving me a kiss, they are so sweet and supportive for how young they are. Talk with you soon.
AJ