My Va Experience

[Big]

I have had back problems for many years.(non service)and had back surgery a few years ago(non Va. hospital.)

I started using Va. medical treatment 21/2 years ago with my bad back being the main subject. Over a two year period I finally got to the MRI stage and was seen by a neurologist

.

He told me there was nothing he could do. I asked my primary doc. for a second opinion and was told I could'nt get one at the Va. and I was sent to pain management.

I went to an outside neurologist and was in surgery within three weeks.

That was just two months ago and now the pain is gone other than the soreness from surgery.

Thank God I have ins. because i will not use Va. medical anymore.

Big

[Testvet]

sounds like a normal VA response to a non emergency medical problem in my case I have 3 herniated disks but due to the severity of my heart disease no surgeon will touch me for any reason medicate only glad to hear your back is doing better

[Pete53]

Fact is the VA is not to concerned with pain. They also operate on the cheap and pretty much defer anything that is elective. Hopefully one day soon we will all be eligible for Universal Health Care.

I have said more than once I would opt out of VA if they offered me ChampVA like my wife gets.

[john999]

This is the world class medical treatment they talk about on TV. I went to a podiatrist at the VA. They could not even get me decent orthotics. The newer treatments they had not even heard about because they are expensive. I go for pain management to the VA. All it means is percoset or morphine or methodone or back to morphine. Doctors here in my state are afraid to prescribe much of anything since the DEA is all over them.

Something like oxycontin is out of the question.

[Big]

The only reason i went to the Va. is because there is always the possibility I could loose my health ins.

The pain management they sent me to was a joke. Young incompetent doctors that had to leave the room to talk to a supervisor before a decision could be made. B)

They would give me shots in my back that did absolutely no good, then schedule another appointment in two months.

Meanwhile i was on a steady diet of morphine and oxydone.

I hope all vets get more competent treatment than I did.

BTW my surgery consisted of fusing two vertabra with scews and rods.

[cloudcroft]

"Young incompetent doctors that had to leave the room to talk to a supervisor before a decision could be made."

Maybe the young doctors were Interns (the lowest doctor pecking-order) and had to check with a higher up due to "controleld substances" being involved, to get a signing-off on it?

Remember "Scrubs" the TV sitcom?

-- John D.

[Chuck75]

There are back institutes in Florida that do micro surgery for disks, etc. that may be able to help you, even with serious heart problems.

http://www.microspine.com/AboutUs_java.htm

Is one of several in Florida. I do not recommend any particuliar one, or not recommend one.

sounds like a normal VA response to a non emergency medical problem in my case I have 3 herniated disks but due to the severity of my heart disease no surgeon will touch me for any reason medicate only glad to hear your back is doing better

[john999]

When I fill out my request for a refill of the morphine I have to fill out a questionaire on my pain and the side effects of the meds. This is pretty damn good evidence since I write all sorts of things on it including the fact the meds depress me and make me fall down. This all goes into the medical file. As far as really getting to the root cause of my pain, fagetaboutit. The VA docs just push pills and the private docs push procedures (money).

[goofycow]

I have had lumps around the joints of my right pinkie finger for several years now. I have no use of the digit at all. It has been painful but now a lot of times half of my right hand is numb and tingley all the way up to my elbow. Told this to my primary care doc in july. She just blew it all off, the numbness being a result of the way I sleep. Now my left pinky is hurting too but at least it doesn't look so obviously deformed......yet. Just typical VA care.

Liz

[Testvet]

my docs write me for percocets and between them and Kroger brand PMs I get on sale about twice a year for 2.14 a bottle (I stock up 12 boxes) I get 3-5 hours at a time if it ain't the back pain it's the damn nightmares besides my wife let me buy a hot tub and it helps relieve the pain and then excerises in the pool take the tension out of the back then the scooter they gave me lets me get around the neighborhood rofl I am hell on wheels the neighbors call me that damn crazy old vet lol what I am supposed to care?

[Testvet]

I have had lumps around the joints of my right pinkie finger for several years now. I have no use of the digit at all. It has been painful but now a lot of times half of my right hand is numb and tingley all the way up to my elbow. Told this to my primary care doc in july. She just blew it all off, the numbness being a result of the way I sleep. Now my left pinky is hurting too but at least it doesn't look so obviously deformed......yet. Just typical VA care.

Liz

I can tell you how to for get about the pain in your pinkies get the hammer out and smack your right big toe I promise all you will think about is your flucking toe rofl

[goofycow]

Test vet:

If I had wanted to hear from an anal orifice, I would have just simply flatulated!

Liz

[LarryJ]

Play nice, kids.

[Josephine]

Goodness, goodness, I almost swallowed my chewing gum and about to turn blue from lack of oxygen. I think that it was intended to be a joke that turned sour.

Liz,

Take Care!! God Bless!

Josephine

(Betty)

[Ricky]

Pete - be careful what you ask for. Remember if they offered a universal champus type deal the universe is a whole lot bigger than the small world of ChampVA.......My point is that a few million would want the same which would do a number on your little world. Just my opinion...........not meant to be political or cause a ruckus my friend.....

[Testvet]

some people just have no sense of humor such is life maybe that is why I have been divorced 4 times rofl

[mountain tyme]

ok ok I know this is off the subject....

but Liz...you are a hoot and I just loved your reply!! humor is infectious...and sometimes that is the right medicine to get your through the day...God Bless

MT

[jbasser]

Big, If you use the VA and you have Insurance and use the VA, they should not be able to deny you a service even if it is elective. You are considered a Paying customer and you are not involved in the Budget game since they are guaranteed payment. Let them know this.

Liz, I feel for you since I have the same condition left hand except for thumb and forefinger.

Mine is median neuropathy from c5 c6 nerve root impingement. I suggest yours is same location but ulnar nerve impingement. Has anyone ever used the term CTS?

If it is from the neck and it has been ongoing for a period of 6 months or longer it is likely permanent damage. ( Neurosurgeon wrote this in my records)

Bottom line is that if you are in pain and need a procedure performed, If you have insurance including medicare, get outside of the VA to get it done. Always let the VA know about it.

One final item, From a moderators standpoint, lets keep this topic real. it is interesting and I dont want to get off track and have to close it.

Edited October 6, 2007 by jbasser (see edit history)

[stillhere]

Question is there an avenue where the VA says one thing and you get a second opinion from outside. Isn't there someone to go to at the VA and say OK I have this from outside now what do you say? I mean like the patient advocate or someone?

Stillhere

[Josephine]

humor is infectious...and sometimes that is the right medicine to get your through the day

Time,

You are absolutely correct and I am indeed getting off the subject, please allow me to post this.

This is what happened to me yesterday afternoon. I know that the "Rating Supervisor" of the "Rating Specialist" is sending me some important papers which will arrive in the mail today.

Anyway, I am a Sensitive Code 6, and trying to locate anyone that can open my claim for me is a mere miracle.

I called the AMC and the nicest lady a Ms. Jackson answers the telephone and immediately tells me that there is no one there that can open my file for me.

I ask her " How can I sign my comptetency over to my husband"?

By the time she comes back to the telephone, I am hysterical and crying. I am ranting on about filing my form - 9 in Roanoke and being transferred into West Va. and how my Power of Attorney is in West Va.

How my first POA had a heart attack and had to resign and the one that I have now, doesn't know as much as I do and we already know that I don't know squat.

How I am going crazy and how no one can answer any of my questions.

I tell her that I can't take it anymore, that I do not understand the rules and regulations of the VA and that no one will talk to my husband, who does understand.

I told her that I have given the VA everything that I have got to give and that I have given out.

I was 34 years of age, when I filed my first claim, and now I am 63 and trying to back up over all those years with that re-opened claim.

I was feeling sorry for myself all evening and ready to pull in my claim and then last night, when I turned on the computer and saw this post, is the first time that I could find something to laugh about.

I know that this site is no for feeling sorry for yourself, but if the Lord is able for me to accomplish in winning this claim of 30 years.

I will definitely provide a contribution.

If I don't, I will sent money via Paypal as in the past.

With this said, Thank you Liz from the bottom of my heart.

John, I know that I am off track and I am giving you permission to close if you wish.

Thanks

Josephine

(Betty)

[goofycow]

I really am sorry for losing my temper. It's just that I get so tired of VA docs gaffing me off when it comes to pain. Like HELLO.....maybe my personality wouldn't have as much of an edge to it if they would listen to me & stop trying to make fit into the mold of a low life thug.

Just going to the VA for treatment has made me worse. And if there were any real doctors around this area, I would go to them.

Again, sorry for the little outburst.

Liz