Fusion surgery over.....

[ans]

You had your fun and you must have been in great condition. Too bad you didn't train with the Gracie's then. Wonder if they had much Muy-Thai then too.

Never liked seeing people getting hit in the back of their head.

(Remember the one where Royce got his arm broken before submitting?).

Oops, off-track. Be well, ans

[martyusa]

It's easy to get off track and hijack your own threat when it come to that stuff......


So, back on track.

Had my follow-up today and played a great joke on the PA when she came out to get me. All she saw was my shorts and a Phillies shirt and she kinda looked at me weird. So I came right out and said, "I got tired of that damn brace and don't need it anymore." Now the whole reception area was in on it and when she started going off, I lifted my shirt and there was the brace. Worked perfectly and they all loved it as the other patients roared. Gotta have a good sense of humor, if not, I'll go nuts....Man if looks could kill, I thought she was going to rip my face off if I didn't have that brace on. LMAO

Anyway, I was told everything looks great. I went over some of the symptoms and it was accredited to too much activity and a bit of irritation. But I am told to keep an eye on it and not do too much. He tells me about 10 more weeks 24/7 with the brace, then we can start on some PT. I am feeling better as the days go by. But it's almost and exponential kind of success thus far. This is where my mind and common sense will have to come into play.

But things have been great other than those few minor problems and I look forward to a full 100% recovery. They want to get me some type of bone stim machine to aid in the fusion process.

We'll keep everyone posted.

[martyusa]

I had to share this....

This is how messed up our medical system is.

I have been receiving those little notices we get from the insurance company. Ya know those notices that tell you how much the medical offices are charging for their services.

Bone growth stimulator - 3000.00
Anesthesia - 5000.00
Cardiologist consultation while in recovery - 1500.00. I never talked to one, ever, while in the hospital
Hospital charges for the fusion - 165,000.00

Now along with this notice came the other notice. If I don't fill out the questionnaire the insurance company won't pay for the procedure. Everything was already pre-approved. They want to know if I have any other insurance. The ironic thing is this is the 3rd time I've filled one of these out.

I can't wait to see the rest of the charges........What a gimmic

[mmglobal]

I had a client with only one hand... born that way. When he woke up in recovery room after multi-level cervical... he called the nurse over and said... "what did you do to my hand?" I don't think anyone thought it was very funny.

When my son had pneumonia and spent 4 days in ICU, we saw the bills go by for $30,000. The allowed amount that the hospital was happy to accept for $30,000 worth of treatment was $6,000. If we did not have insurance, they would have come after us for the full 30K. This all makes sense to someone.

I've seen many cases of fusions with billed amounts in excess of 150K and allowed amounts around 50K. I've also seen payout amounts in excess of 100K for both disc replacements and ADR. The worst case I've seen was a multi-level fusion that was done on a speculation basis. Someone I know has a lien against his lawsuit for more than $275K for a 2-level fusion that was poorly done. He's still disabled and pretty much bankrupt. If he ever collects anything... the first 275 will go to pay for a 60,000 surgery. This is not right.

[ans]

Oh is this so wrong. What outrageous prices for fusion. Also, for the short stay for pneumonia (must have been scary).

Imagine being stuck for #100K for an approved fusion. I'd contemplate jumping over Half Dome and providing fertilizer for trees.

[mmglobal]

What a coincidence Allan.... jumping off of Half Dome is on my list of things to do too!

[martyusa]

Originally Posted by mmglobal

300 Neurontin a day is not very high. I usually took 900/day and only occasionally took 1200. My pain doc wanted to ramp me up to 3600, but I could hardly tolerate the brain fog on 900. We don't call if Morontin for nothing!

I ceased taking the neurontin I was taking as I am trying to cut back on this crazy amounts of meds I am taking.

I am still getting a little bit of nervy back pain, but nothing like it was. I am assuming this is due to some damage done to the nerve root, either from the disc pressure or the doctor hitting the root during one of the injections with the pin.

However, I have been feeling very lethargic and my legs have been feeling like rubber over the past few days. I spoke with the PA and went over everything that has been going on. She will speak with the doctor and call me tomorrow. I'm not sure what has been causing this, but I have a feeling it's something else I am taking causing this. I'll wait on his call but I have a feeling it's my Toprol XL. We'll see what he has to say.

[martyusa]

After you have back surgery, Learn how to sneeze and cough a whole new way.

Leaning back a little bit, for me, saves me the sharp pain in my lower back and dropping to one knee after the surgery.

[martyusa]

Almost 3 months post op and I'm back to square 1 and then some. I have always had numbness in my toes during the onset of the sciatic pain down the right leg, but for the first time the past two weeks have been pure hell. My calf and the arch of my foot feels like a muscle cramp. However, the muscle is not tight and is not cramping. My big toe is has gone past the tingle and now hurts like crazy. I have started to develop some pain in the front of my leg for the first time. My back is always at some type of pain level, either dull and achy or sharp and burning. While it is sharp and burning, the pain shoots down the glutes and into the foot rather quickly and it's right back to bed to lie down. I am also having some overcompensating issues, but that is to be expected as well as some atrophy and muscle cramping/spasms thereof.

I am hoping that this is part of the recovery process, but I am beginning to doubt that with the symptoms getting worse as the days go on. I have my next followup Nov. 3rd with x-rays, so I would imagine that would be the indicator. We'll see what he wants to do and maybe PT will help. I can deal with the pain if I have the right combo of meds and rest, but that is no way to live my life. Now on the other hand if this is the way it's going to be, so be it. Just tell me the deal with no fluff and I'll adjust. I think I am past broken promises part.

I did question the Doctor blasting my nerve root during one of the
root injections and I was told that it would heal over time. I can't see how that would lead to the increase of pain now, unless it's easily irritated due to a combination of the injury and the little doctor mishap.

If anyone has any incite at all, I would love to hear it. Just no fluff, please. I'll will keep the board posted as we progress.

Thanks all and good luck.