Comments on: Herniated Disc http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/ A Place To Learn About Back Surgery And Back Pain Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:20:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Karen http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/comment-page-2/#comment-1804 Karen Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:46:22 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/#comment-1804 Linda, just wondering if you have had the cold laser procedure done by now and how you are doing since it was done. Did your insurance balk at this new procedure? I hope this has helped you! This would be an answer to prayer for me as well as others if it has worked for you! Please let us know! (Perhaps you have already commented on this further down in these posts, forgive me if you have!) Thanks and wishing you well from Bullard, Texas. Linda, just wondering if you have had the cold laser procedure done by now and how you are doing since it was done. Did your insurance balk at this new procedure? I hope this has helped you! This would be an answer to prayer for me as well as others if it has worked for you! Please let us know! (Perhaps you have already commented on this further down in these posts, forgive me if you have!)

Thanks and wishing you well from Bullard, Texas.

]]> By: andrea http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/comment-page-2/#comment-1789 andrea Sat, 12 Jun 2010 04:20:12 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/#comment-1789 I feel for you...I am in the same boat....sleepless nights..depressed..my husband thinks this is a joke.MISERY..MRIS EPIDURALS..PILLS..PAIN..I FEEL AS IF LIFE IS PASSING ME BY..I AM 50 YRS. OLD CAN'T WORK..I THOUGHT MAYBE SHARING MIGHT HELP....AM I CERTIFIABLE?HAHA I feel for you…I am in the same boat….sleepless nights..depressed..my husband thinks this is a joke.MISERY..MRIS EPIDURALS..PILLS..PAIN..I FEEL AS IF LIFE IS PASSING ME BY..I AM 50 YRS. OLD CAN’T WORK..I THOUGHT MAYBE SHARING MIGHT HELP….AM I CERTIFIABLE?HAHA

]]> By: JC Courtney http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/comment-page-2/#comment-1786 JC Courtney Thu, 10 Jun 2010 01:49:25 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/#comment-1786 I am 37 years old, an oilfield worker from Texas. At the age of 15, went to work on my first drilling rig. Everything was bigger, and heavier than me at that age! After years of use and abuse to my body, by the time I was 18,I was already going to chiropractors. I had pain running down my left leg, and lower back. For 17 more years, I just delt with it. At 35, found a DR. who put me on traction- pulled me apart from shoulders to waist. That felt good for a few days, then pain all over again. At this point, my pain had greatly worsened. Started with hundreds of pain pils: Lortab to Oxycontin. At one point. I was taking 15 pills a day. Went to a differant DR. We did the back injections. The first series was great.. Lasted for a couple weeks while taking Morphine, and Norco. Second set of shots the DR. hit the nerve in my back with the needle and made my left foot twist. Needless to say, was done with him. Well it was now time to talk to about surgery. Surgery on L5-S1. Lamanectomy. DR said I really needed a fusion after cutting me open. NO THANKS, was still hurting. Back on the pills. 8 months later, I was on my way to Dayton Ohio for a laser surgery on the same area L5-S1. While they were inside of me, they said I had BAD scar tissue, but they got it cleaned up. Walked out of the hospital that same day. No more pills, and felt great. That great feeling lasted about 6 months. Shucks. back to pills.. Went back to the first DR. and we did a 2 level fusion on L4-L5 that lasted 5 hours and tons of scar tissue. Dec. 2 2009. Back to work in Feb. 2010, and hurt worse today than I did 18 years ago. It's terrible, bout ready to just give up. 4-5 Oxycodone a day, and still in severe pain everyday of my life. What Gives?? Still am able to maintain a great oilfield job as a Production Foreman, but dont know how long I can live like this. Could I file for disability? Wish there was something someone could do. Back pain is like a disease. God Bless Us!!!! I am 37 years old, an oilfield worker from Texas. At the age of 15, went to work on my first drilling rig. Everything was bigger, and heavier than me at that age! After years of use and abuse to my body, by the time I was 18,I was already going to chiropractors. I had pain running down my left leg, and lower back. For 17 more years, I just delt with it. At 35, found a DR. who put me on traction- pulled me apart from shoulders to waist. That felt good for a few days, then pain all over again. At this point, my pain had greatly worsened. Started with hundreds of pain pils: Lortab to Oxycontin. At one point. I was taking 15 pills a day. Went to a differant DR. We did the back injections. The first series was great.. Lasted for a couple weeks while taking Morphine, and Norco. Second set of shots the DR. hit the nerve in my back with the needle and made my left foot twist. Needless to say, was done with him. Well it was now time to talk to about surgery. Surgery on L5-S1. Lamanectomy. DR said I really needed a fusion after cutting me open. NO THANKS, was still hurting. Back on the pills. 8 months later, I was on my way to Dayton Ohio for a laser surgery on the same area L5-S1. While they were inside of me, they said I had BAD scar tissue, but they got it cleaned up. Walked out of the hospital that same day. No more pills, and felt great. That great feeling lasted about 6 months. Shucks. back to pills.. Went back to the first DR. and we did a 2 level fusion on L4-L5 that lasted 5 hours and tons of scar tissue. Dec. 2 2009. Back to work in Feb. 2010, and hurt worse today than I did 18 years ago. It’s terrible, bout ready to just give up. 4-5 Oxycodone a day, and still in severe pain everyday of my life. What Gives?? Still am able to maintain a great oilfield job as a Production Foreman, but dont know how long I can live like this. Could I file for disability? Wish there was something someone could do. Back pain is like a disease. God Bless Us!!!!

]]> By: Wendy http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/comment-page-2/#comment-1677 Wendy Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:57:07 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/#comment-1677 I was diagnosed w/three bulging cervical discs in Jan (c-5, c-6, c-7). I've had back/neck pain off an on since 2004 and thought it was from carrying too much weight from many special events. The pain would flare up from time to time when I would overdo it. In December '09, the pain started again. I had thought it would subside like always, but about a week later I had numbness in my right fingertips. The MRI revealed the bulging discs. Since PT did not work in the past, I was advised to try two rounds of oral steroids (no relief) followed by three epidural steroid injections (only had two since they did not provide any relief). I have now been referred to a neurosurgeon. Has anyone had this type of surgery? What is the recovery time? Is it effective to relieving the pain? I've barely worked since the beginning of the year. Driving, sitting at my computer all day, etc., all increases the pain. I was given vicodin this week for pain. In order to go to work for part of the day, I am taking three vicodin a day to make it through and in more pain than just staying home. I was hospitalized last March after having a migraine constantly for more than 6 months. I now take cymbalta to keep the migraines from occurring so often. I now wonder if the migraines are somehow connected to the bulging discs.? Also, have a concern over the scarring....how large are they? My son is getting married in Sept. and I am really hoping my surgery can be done from the back to avoid having an ugly scar on my neck in wedding photos. Thanks for any comments. I was diagnosed w/three bulging cervical discs in Jan (c-5, c-6, c-7). I’ve had back/neck pain off an on since 2004 and thought it was from carrying too much weight from many special events. The pain would flare up from time to time when I would overdo it. In December ‘09, the pain started again. I had thought it would subside like always, but about a week later I had numbness in my right fingertips. The MRI revealed the bulging discs. Since PT did not work in the past, I was advised to try two rounds of oral steroids (no relief) followed by three epidural steroid injections (only had two since they did not provide any relief). I have now been referred to a neurosurgeon. Has anyone had this type of surgery? What is the recovery time? Is it effective to relieving the pain?
I’ve barely worked since the beginning of the year. Driving, sitting at my computer all day, etc., all increases the pain. I was given vicodin this week for pain. In order to go to work for part of the day, I am taking three vicodin a day to make it through and in more pain than just staying home.
I was hospitalized last March after having a migraine constantly for more than 6 months. I now take cymbalta to keep the migraines from occurring so often. I now wonder if the migraines are somehow connected to the bulging discs.?
Also, have a concern over the scarring….how large are they? My son is getting married in Sept. and I am really hoping my surgery can be done from the back to avoid having an ugly scar on my neck in wedding photos.
Thanks for any comments.

]]> By: Shelley http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/comment-page-2/#comment-1663 Shelley Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:11:18 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/#comment-1663 gee Constance that is ridiculous that you as a health care professional are having to go through this kind of pain and nonsense. really that anybody should have to go through this. if you read my previous blogs you can see what I have gone through with dr's and they mostly suck. NOONE who has not had this kind of back pain can possibly understand how bad it can be and then when they dismiss it as not too bad or don't want to give us pain meds it is so frustrating. I am a Canadian and I thank god every day that we have FREE health care for everyone here. We can go to the dr, any dr of our choice and get good care. Now of course like anywhere we have good drs and bad ones. if we get a bad one we have the choice to fire them and request a new specialist from our family physician which is wonderful. I feel very bad for american citizens that have to pay for insurance especially as hundreds of thousands can't afford it so they end up in situations like yours. then your insurance only pays for so much, then it limits which dr's you can see etc which is horrible esp if you don't like the dr but get stuck with him or her. I think all people deserve free health care and it shouldn't be based on how much money you make since the economy is so bad and many people are out of work. as well you have many disabled/ handicapped that may be able to work just enough to not qualify for medicare but not enough to be able to afford insurance. I have heard of school teachers in the usa not earning enough to afford insurance making about $24,000 per year. Our canadian teachers make a killing up here earning anywhere up to $100,000 for teaching in a college and possibly $75,000 in a public or high school so much different. then they are allowed to file for unemployment insurance benefits through the summer when they are off work which I think is crazy when they earn that much money in 9 months and get 3 months holidays. I sure hope you can get this resolved. at least you had the cash for payment when so many don't have that choice either. it is terrible that you had to give up your job when you just got a promotion. I sure hope that this next injection helps you better. getting 15 months pain relief from a needle is incredible. I don't know if we have that kind of treatment up here. most often they want to do surgery which most of in my research doesn't work and makes people worse. it is so hard to know what to do since everyone is different and what works for one doesn't work for another. all you can do is research every choice and then make the best possible decision you can make at the time. good luck and keeps us posted. hope you feel better soon and at least can get past the foggy pain part. take care, shelley gee Constance that is ridiculous that you as a health care professional are having to go through this kind of pain and nonsense. really that anybody should have to go through this. if you read my previous blogs you can see what I have gone through with dr’s and they mostly suck. NOONE who has not had this kind of back pain can possibly understand how bad it can be and then when they dismiss it as not too bad or don’t want to give us pain meds it is so frustrating. I am a Canadian and I thank god every day that we have FREE health care for everyone here. We can go to the dr, any dr of our choice and get good care. Now of course like anywhere we have good drs and bad ones. if we get a bad one we have the choice to fire them and request a new specialist from our family physician which is wonderful. I feel very bad for american citizens that have to pay for insurance especially as hundreds of thousands can’t afford it so they end up in situations like yours. then your insurance only pays for so much, then it limits which dr’s you can see etc which is horrible esp if you don’t like the dr but get stuck with him or her. I think all people deserve free health care and it shouldn’t be based on how much money you make since the economy is so bad and many people are out of work. as well you have many disabled/ handicapped that may be able to work just enough to not qualify for medicare but not enough to be able to afford insurance. I have heard of school teachers in the usa not earning enough to afford insurance making about $24,000 per year. Our canadian teachers make a killing up here earning anywhere up to $100,000 for teaching in a college and possibly $75,000 in a public or high school so much different. then they are allowed to file for unemployment insurance benefits through the summer when they are off work which I think is crazy when they earn that much money in 9 months and get 3 months holidays.
I sure hope you can get this resolved. at least you had the cash for payment when so many don’t have that choice either. it is terrible that you had to give up your job when you just got a promotion. I sure hope that this next injection helps you better. getting 15 months pain relief from a needle is incredible. I don’t know if we have that kind of treatment up here. most often they want to do surgery which most of in my research doesn’t work and makes people worse. it is so hard to know what to do since everyone is different and what works for one doesn’t work for another. all you can do is research every choice and then make the best possible decision you can make at the time. good luck and keeps us posted.
hope you feel better soon and at least can get past the foggy pain part. take care, shelley

]]> By: Tommy http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/comment-page-2/#comment-1654 Tommy Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:57:03 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/#comment-1654 This is my first blog. But I need to share my experiences for the last 9 years. I am 57 yrs old, I have avoided surgery. In 2001 I experienced the sciatica pain that many of you know - pain so bad I could not stand or sit. I couldn't go to a Neurosurgeons office because I couldn't stand or walk. After about 2 weeks I was able to see a neurosurgeon. The sciatica was still excruciatingly painful. I also had drop foot (could not lift the ball of my right foot or lift my toes). It took about 2 years to nearly elliminate the foot drop. In 2004 I had another episode - but no foot drop. 2008 another episode with foot drop. Again it took about 1 year to nearly elliminate the foot drop (I assume the numbness in my foot is permanent). I've learned that I can not sit on a hard chair for more than ~ 20 minutes, especially if I lean forward while sitting. 2010 another episode, again from sitting. My solutions: Ihad an MRI in 2001 & began to understand what I was up against - what nerves & physical abnormalities create what symptoms. My L4/L5 disc is badly herniated & the othe lumbar disks are bulged. After sitting, like I know I shouldn't, on the first or second morning after sitting the back pain is so bad I can't get out of bed. If I don't resolve it in a couple weeks (take it very easy- epidural shots from a good radiologist, Ibuprofin as much as 1800 mg/day & ice often)the pain will go down my right leg & cause many nerve zaps in my lower leg, cramping, muscle spasms, & more foot numbness. I learned when to take it very easy and when it's time to strengthen - Physical Therapy, or I swim 1-2 times/wk & use Nautilus. I keep it as strong as I can. Deep tissue massage can also reduce the leg cramps significantly. I still consider surgery (right lateral laminectomy discectomy) - I want to sit relaxed, but I am concerned surgery may not turn out well like the many experiences on this Blog site. This is my first blog. But I need to share my experiences for the last 9 years. I am 57 yrs old, I have avoided surgery. In 2001 I experienced the sciatica pain that many of you know – pain so bad I could not stand or sit. I couldn’t go to a Neurosurgeons office because I couldn’t stand or walk. After about 2 weeks I was able to see a neurosurgeon. The sciatica was still excruciatingly painful. I also had drop foot (could not lift the ball of my right foot or lift my toes). It took about 2 years to nearly elliminate the foot drop. In 2004 I had another episode – but no foot drop. 2008 another episode with foot drop. Again it took about 1 year to nearly elliminate the foot drop (I assume the numbness in my foot is permanent). I’ve learned that I can not sit on a hard chair for more than ~ 20 minutes, especially if I lean forward while sitting. 2010 another episode, again from sitting.
My solutions:
Ihad an MRI in 2001 & began to understand what I was up against – what nerves & physical abnormalities create what symptoms. My L4/L5 disc is badly herniated & the othe lumbar disks are bulged. After sitting, like I know I shouldn’t, on the first or second morning after sitting the back pain is so bad I can’t get out of bed. If I don’t resolve it in a couple weeks (take it very easy- epidural shots from a good radiologist, Ibuprofin as much as 1800 mg/day & ice often)the pain will go down my right leg & cause many nerve zaps in my lower leg, cramping, muscle spasms, & more foot numbness.
I learned when to take it very easy and when it’s time to strengthen – Physical Therapy, or I swim 1-2 times/wk & use Nautilus. I keep it as strong as I can. Deep tissue massage can also reduce the leg cramps significantly.
I still consider surgery (right lateral laminectomy discectomy) – I want to sit relaxed, but I am concerned surgery may not turn out well like the many experiences on this Blog site.

]]> By: pam http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/comment-page-2/#comment-1650 pam Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:13:40 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/#comment-1650 I am awaiting Back surgery, and the pain in my body I wish on nobody. You are absolutely right when it comes to the Doctor's misunderstanding your feelings completely... I am 46 and they look at me as though I am seeking pain killers, in a sense I will go to just about any lengths to ease the leg pain, on top of dealing with fibromyalia and cant take the meds for that, you would think the Dr's would have a little more understanding.... Well good luck to you! I hope you find a good Doctor... I am awaiting Back surgery, and the pain in my body I wish on nobody. You are absolutely right when it comes to the Doctor’s misunderstanding your feelings completely… I am 46 and they look at me as though I am seeking pain killers, in a sense I will go to just about any lengths to ease the leg pain, on top of dealing with fibromyalia and cant take the meds for that, you would think the Dr’s would have a little more understanding…. Well good luck to you! I hope you find a good Doctor…

]]> By: constance majewski http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/comment-page-2/#comment-1643 constance majewski Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:05:45 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/#comment-1643 I am a 47 y/o nurse who doesn't seem to be able to help herself as well as I help my patients. I have always been that way. Due to unforseen circumstances I have found myself without insurance. Sept of '08 diagnosed with cervical DDD (noon has looked farther but i suspect damage to the Thoracic as well. I have 4 bulging discs and a hernitaed C5-6. I had the lidocaine/steroid injection which lasted a blessed year and 3 months. I had occassional pain and received physical therapy which improved my status. I paid cash as preexisting was in effect. The the unforseen happened with my husbands work and I had to go part-time and lose insurance to move out of state for a lucrative job contract. The contract was cancelled due to government military funding and I had to wait 2 months before a fulltime position was available. I quickly was promoted and given a raise. I didn't feel the need to hurry and obtain or keep insurance because the epidural worked so well and I was sure when I needed another injection I could again pay cash. My insurance was to resume march 7. At 4:30am on Jan. 14 my body flew out of the bed in severe pain, hunched over and hitting my left arm, screaming for someone to do something. I was at my PCP when the doors open. I had to find my trusty TENS to assist me. Turn it on full blast. The Dr. came into the room and said that it seems the problems have once again reared it's ugly head. He gave me percocet, one 3 times a day, steroid in buttocks and pills to ween down the steroids, and come back in a week. Well, I don't think he has ever had any pain at all. When I went back the next week I was aking for a referral to obtain another injection. Simple right? I'm not looking for surgery at this stage as the injection was effective and could buy me several years before cutting. The Dr came into the exam room and asked me how many percocet I had left. I told him,(I wish I could lie well but I can't so I just tell the truth which does not always benefit me), I had 4 left. He gave me 30 and I should have had 9 left.I told him the first few days I needed more relief and took an extra percocet for the first few days. He became angered. When I asked about the referral my Dr. said "You deserve to feel this pain because you do not have insurance." He looked me in the eye and gave me a Rx for lortab, one twice a day,with no refills and an appointment for April. I was crushed. What did I do to him? Last time in 2008 I was given a 24 hour morphine with percocet for breakthrough, Parafon Forte, Ultram, Lyrica while waiting for the appt for my first injection. As I was medicated I could continue to work as a Director of nurses in a nursing home. This time is a completely opposite experience. I picked up the phone and called the old pain mngmt Dr. he now only takes "commercial insurance". I asked everyone, called many Dr.'s and received the same response, "we only accept commercial insurance". I have the cash in full. I owe no Dr. bills. Obamacare in the scary phase. I wish they would complete healthcare or shelve it. The Dr.'s are running for fear not being able to receive 40% over cost by the insurance companies. I went to communtiy health and was given a Dr. I was sure did not understand English. My concerns were validated when the nurse called and said for $448 he is sending me to a pain specialist who prescribes only Lortab?!? I don't want pills, I want the injection! NOW! Can't you see me crying? Can't you see I can't lift my left arm? Can't you see how the pain has increased my blood pressure and my pulse? What is the matter with you? I got back into the yellow pages and started calling. I found a clinic that accept cash payments. YEAH! With a possible healthcare bill looming the physicians are quickly and selfishly protecting themselves from possible reform. I continued to work as a clinical coordinator of a home health agency. Now that was an experience I barely recall due to the foggy mind and the intense constant pain. After 2 weeks and no releif in sight I took two weeks off to tend to my pain. Because I had just recently promoted I was replaced and no future insurance with this company. I could come back and work part-time with no benefits. I worked for this company for over a year and was a good employee as my exit interview stated. I had an injection Feb 12, last Friday. I was injected in three different spots and could hear the crackling of bone as the Dr. guided the needle between vertebrae. Not even enough room in there for a needle to pass between. I so appreciate this Dr. but what is it with the 30 second tour? Beggers can't be choosers. I felt better Saturday morning but as night-time came the pain increased. I was sure the injection would work I even put up the TENS unit. By monday morning the pain had come back approximately 60-70%. I gave my resignation as I am unable to do house visits or make it sitting up for more than 2 hours. My mind gets so foggy with the pain I find it difficult to get what is in my head onto paper. Besides I cannot wait another 3 months for insurance. I go for another injection Wed. the 24th. I just need to go to work on an 11-7 shift in a hospital and my ins. starts the first day. I promise I won't be any trouble. I'll be quiet. Just DO something. They say I need complete cervical fusion. Can that be done outpatient? I often day-dream the part in the movie 'Psycho', with full audio effects, when he is stabbing her in the shower. I would open the curtain so as to not make any mistakes, paint a target on my back and he can go to town. Drill a hole and pull the nerve out. I have complete numbness of 4 out of 5 fingers on my left hand. I can't eat, sleep, be hugged, snuggled. I feel worthless. If this next shot doesn't take I'll file disability, obtain Medicaid, wait on a year-long waiting list and have the surgery. I am also bi-polar with anxiety disorder. A blow like this could wind me back in the hospital. I take full responsibility for my disorder and use behavior modification with occassional rounds of medication during an acute phase. If I was my own patient this @*&! would never happen. Come on Dr.'s, remember you once were young and merciful. I'm noone special, just a hard-working mom doing her best to care for others and make a difference. Maybe I should become a singer, actor, high-profile sports player, millionare..then this situation would be completely different because then I would be important. I am a 47 y/o nurse who doesn’t seem to be able to help herself as well as I help my patients. I have always been that way. Due to unforseen circumstances I have found myself without insurance. Sept of ‘08 diagnosed with cervical DDD (noon has looked farther but i suspect damage to the Thoracic as well. I have 4 bulging discs and a hernitaed C5-6. I had the lidocaine/steroid injection which lasted a blessed year and 3 months. I had occassional pain and received physical therapy which improved my status. I paid cash as preexisting was in effect. The the unforseen happened with my husbands work and I had to go part-time and lose insurance to move out of state for a lucrative job contract. The contract was cancelled due to government military funding and I had to wait 2 months before a fulltime position was available. I quickly was promoted and given a raise. I didn’t feel the need to hurry and obtain or keep insurance because the epidural worked so well and I was sure when I needed another injection I could again pay cash. My insurance was to resume march 7. At 4:30am on Jan. 14 my body flew out of the bed in severe pain, hunched over and hitting my left arm, screaming for someone to do something. I was at my PCP when the doors open. I had to find my trusty TENS to assist me. Turn it on full blast. The Dr. came into the room and said that it seems the problems have once again reared it’s ugly head. He gave me percocet, one 3 times a day, steroid in buttocks and pills to ween down the steroids, and come back in a week. Well, I don’t think he has ever had any pain at all. When I went back the next week I was aking for a referral to obtain another injection. Simple right? I’m not looking for surgery at this stage as the injection was effective and could buy me
several years before cutting. The Dr came into the exam room and asked me how many percocet I had left. I told him,(I wish I could lie well but I can’t so I just tell the truth which does not always benefit me), I had 4 left. He gave me 30 and I should have had 9 left.I told him the first few days I needed more relief and took an extra percocet for the first few days. He became angered. When I asked about the referral my Dr. said “You deserve to feel this pain because you do not have insurance.” He looked me in the eye and gave me a Rx for lortab, one twice a day,with no refills and an appointment for April. I was crushed. What did I do to him? Last time in 2008 I was given a 24 hour morphine with percocet for breakthrough, Parafon Forte, Ultram, Lyrica while waiting for the appt for my first injection. As I
was medicated I could continue to work as a Director of nurses in a nursing home. This time is a completely opposite experience. I picked up the phone and called the old pain mngmt Dr. he now only takes “commercial insurance”. I asked everyone, called many Dr.’s and received the same response, “we only accept commercial insurance”. I have the cash in full. I owe no Dr. bills. Obamacare in the scary phase. I wish they would complete healthcare or shelve it. The Dr.’s are running for fear not being able to receive 40% over cost by the insurance companies. I went to communtiy health and was given a Dr. I was sure did not understand English. My concerns were validated when the nurse called and said for $448 he is sending me to a pain specialist who prescribes only Lortab?!? I don’t want pills, I want the injection! NOW! Can’t you see me crying? Can’t you see I can’t lift my left arm? Can’t you see how the pain has increased my blood pressure and my pulse? What is the matter with you? I got back into the yellow pages and started calling. I found a clinic that accept cash payments. YEAH! With a possible healthcare bill looming the physicians are quickly and selfishly protecting themselves from possible reform. I continued to work as a clinical coordinator of a home health agency. Now that was an experience I barely recall due to the foggy mind and the intense constant pain. After 2 weeks and no releif in sight I took two weeks off to tend to my pain. Because I had just recently promoted I was replaced and no future insurance with this company. I could come back and work part-time with no benefits. I worked for this company for over a year and was a good employee as my exit interview stated. I had an injection Feb 12, last Friday. I was injected in three different spots and could hear the crackling of bone as the Dr. guided the needle between vertebrae. Not even enough room in there for a needle to pass between. I so appreciate this Dr. but what is it with the 30 second tour? Beggers can’t be choosers. I felt better Saturday morning but as night-time came the pain increased. I was sure the injection would work I even put up the TENS unit. By monday morning the pain had come back approximately 60-70%. I gave my resignation as I am unable to do house visits or make it sitting up for more than 2 hours. My mind gets so foggy with the pain I find it difficult to get what is in my head onto paper. Besides I cannot wait another 3 months for insurance. I go for another injection Wed. the 24th. I just need to go to work on an 11-7 shift in a hospital and my ins. starts the first day. I promise I won’t be any trouble. I’ll be quiet. Just DO something. They say I need complete cervical fusion. Can that be done outpatient? I often day-dream the part in the movie ‘Psycho’, with full audio effects, when he is stabbing her in the shower. I would open the curtain so as to not make any mistakes, paint a target on my back and he can go to town. Drill a hole and pull the nerve out. I have complete numbness of 4 out of 5 fingers on my left hand. I can’t eat, sleep, be hugged, snuggled. I feel worthless. If this next shot doesn’t take I’ll file disability, obtain Medicaid, wait on a year-long waiting list and have the surgery. I am also bi-polar with anxiety disorder. A blow like this could wind me back in the hospital. I take full responsibility for my disorder and use behavior modification with occassional rounds of medication during an acute phase. If I was my own patient this @*&! would never happen. Come on Dr.’s, remember you once were young and merciful. I’m noone special, just a hard-working mom doing her best to care for others and make a difference. Maybe I should become a singer, actor, high-profile sports player, millionare..then this situation would be
completely different because then I would be important.

]]> By: linda http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/comment-page-2/#comment-1642 linda Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:26:53 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/#comment-1642 new treatments for back pain...cold lasar..look it up online....Im about to try it myself. new treatments for back pain…cold lasar..look it up online….Im about to try it myself.

]]> By: linda http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/comment-page-2/#comment-1641 linda Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:03:35 +0000 http://thebacksurgerysite.com/herniated-disc/#comment-1641 dont give up on social security! Its standard procedure to be denied. You need to hire a lawyer to help. Its the only way!My story is similar to yours...I have legal help now.The sooner the better because it will be a few years before you can get any money. dont give up on social security! Its standard procedure to be denied. You need to hire a lawyer to help. Its the only way!My story is similar to
yours…I have legal help now.The sooner the better because it will be a few years before you can get any money.

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