ArNG11

Yes at that time it was a stolen laptop.

Sorry guys I thought I had posted my experience with the rhizotomy. I can say that I did not get the intended relief. The pain down my left leg has gotten worse and stronger. Also muscles spams seem to be more frequent. Weakness in the legs has also gotten worse. They did the L1,L2,& L3 nerve roots as I mentioned in an earlier post. I believe I should have gotten more relief than what I did. I was hoping that if it worked to have the thoracic section of my back done. My private doc wants me to do a functional capacity test once my cast comes off my right wrist and released from care. As far as the VA side of it, I haven't see the neurologist yet, only the nurse practitioner. I'm really at a wits end here. I'm trying for either side, private, or VA to perform an EMG and possibly a disco-gram to really have a concrete picture of my condition and what options I really have left.

Sorry to hear bud. Hang in there.

So far the Lyrica seems to be helping.The pain down my leg is still there but seems to be less severe at times. Don't know if I am completely convinced but it is a 30day trial. I think it would take longer to actually see a difference. When it gets bad I use the ice and stim and take the methocarbanol. It helps. Although a bit painful I still do the stretches, at least as best I can. I have to say the pain and numbness that goes on is sometimes confusing. I sometimes wish it was just one or the other not both, however, I still wish and much prefer none at all.

Unfortunately this is a scary reality. However, it's the same game only a different mechanism is being used to do damage. Call me old fashioned, but I, like some others, still prefer the good old fashioned mail system. I must admit I am techno junkie, iphone, iPad, MacAir and all the new electronic gizmos that' are supposed to make my life easier. But the old way is still the most reliable. Just goes to show when you rely on convenience sometimes there is a price to pay. This makes 3 times for me dealing with government entities compromising my info. Once with files thrown in a public dumpster, once with a stolen laptop, and now this, my private information compromised out on the web. My sincere hope is that some heads roll for this, that they acknowledge their flaws, and ACTUALLY do something other than issue a shallow apology. It is time for ACTUAL changes and ACCOUNTABILITY for your INADEQUACY! Sorry folks don't mean to go on a bandwagon.

Well I hate to get on this train but I logged in 4 times only to find 4 different people's info. Watch your accounts folks. This is NOT good by no means. Hackers paradise.

Congrats. It's always a win when you get service connection. I would have to disagree with the advice from your DAV rep. It's absolutely necessary to rock the boat when it comes to claims as most times claims are low-balled if not outright denied at first. If you have the evidence and meet the rating criteria then go for it. None the less you have a victory.

VA pain management decided to put me on Lyrica (pregabalin) I am willing to try this and see if works. Haven't seen the VA neurologist yet just the nurse practioner. So far being on Gabapentin didn't do much for me. From the private insurance side the Radiofrequency has had some mixed results. It is still a little early but so far it has increased the radicular pain down my left leg. I can really tell when I sit down for 30 minutes or so. They did the L1-L2-L3 roots. I guess I am going to have to get shots again and maybe try the ablation at a higher and lower level. Hopefully here soon I can get an opinion from the neurologist at the VA. But from what I have experience so far its difficult to get seen by an actual neuro.

Surprise call from the OK VA Spine clinic. The Nurse was pleasant and asked about the Rhizotomy I had done by my private doc. From the conversation and ?'s she asked it seemed like some good progress and steps forward towards having VA start/supplement my medical treatments. 30 days since my last contact with them, so not terrible. The tunnel doesn't seem so dark. : ) I think at least it's keeping the referral open and no hassle as of yet other than getting the referral processed with my VA PCP.

I actually got agitated watching this. Not once have I dealt with anyone related to my claim in the VA that has shown any sincere concerns, truthful desire to be like anything portrayed in this video. There may be some decent people out there, but so far I can count them on one hand. Propaganda is my opinion as well. Wow what a bunch of BS.

Thanks. I will try to do that. I may explore some of the options you mentioned. I won't give up either. I have come too far and still have a long way to go.

haven't had any luck yet. I had the appointment with a nurse practitioner, she reviewed my private med records and asked what i wanted as far as an outcome from being a patient there and that was the extent of the appointment. She would forward this to the doc. Its been over three weeks and I haven't heard anything back yet. Had a tfc surgery and rhizotomy done since then with my private insurance. Yeah my faith in the VA med system is not real high, however,in all fairness I really have just started with them.

this last week ebennies has been intermittenly glitchy, more than the normal problems. I havent been able to get on and stay on a few times this past week. Maybe things will start working better here soon.

I can relate to the all or none thinking. Hang in there. At times I to concentrate to-much on the negative. "It can't rain all the time" Have faith there are still good people out there, just have to sort out the dirt bags. Keep fighting.

Has anyone had any luck being referred to one of these centers? Are you better off trying to get fee based care outside the VA?