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Spine Clinics And Referrals To Spine Care Center Hubs

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  • HadIt.com Elder

ArNG11

I wish you the best buddy finding a Back Specialist Clinic.

My spouse has osteoporosis and BDD all in her spine , Since I am 100% P&T she got to use the VAMC for 10 years before they stopped the specialty clinics to her...she was being see by the pain clinic for years and had several steroid injections  and all kinds of main medications, they did the angioplasty on her T-11 T 12 Vertebra    I'm not sure what that does but I think its where they go in with a needle/balloon type devise and place it under the drooped bone and blow the balloon up and at the same time force a fast drying cement in to hold up the bone that is hitting the nerves..she said it was like they were driving nails in her spine  and yes it was painful they never knock her out just local anti-static, this was about 3 years ago and she still has acute Back Pain.

So were thinking all that didn't work..we been looking for a Back specialist for her type of problem for a long time  so for no Luck, VA Closed all the specialty clinics to her so we had to get her private  supplemental Insurance and she has ChampVA but so for most or all the private spine clinics don't take the ChampVA Insurance...were still looking...she is is a lot of pain everyday and sleeps with two heating pads every night...she is skeptical about the VA doing any kind of surgery on her Back.

the angioplasty was the same day in and out they gave her the anti-static  and she was out of there in like 3 /4 hours.

and we were out of there  she felt a little stiff and it seemed a little better but about after a week or two it was right back like it was, The Dr's said her spine was like mush...not much there as the bones are so soft and mushy   they don't know waht to do for her...so we wait and pray something or someone will help her

but  if she has to have Back Surgery where they go in there and place a mental rod in her back...she don't trust the VA for that.

 

I hope you find a great safe and experienced Back clinic that can help your Back...my spouse said she knows what your going through  and its a tough road to hoe.

Good Luck Buddy

 

..............Buck

Edited by Buck52
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Thanks Buck.  Sorry for the late reply.  Been out of the loop and sanity these last few weeks. The path to get the care that I need is not through the VA I realize that.  I am running out of options but I will keep going through private means if only to keep my sanity or whats left of it for that matter. Thanks for the info and good luck to you and the Mrs.  

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  • HadIt.com Elder

ArNG11

Have you heard of the  Back Spinal Stimulator?
its not a tens unit  but actually works the same  only the simulator is implanted  beside the spine ...We have a good friend that has MS and its in its last stages and she is in CHRONIC  back pain and leg pain 24-7  she is testing the simulator  this week  and so for so good  she said her pain went from a 9  back down to a 3 or so.  have not felt this good in over 12 /15 years.

Unfortunately she nor her hubby is a veteran.

I hope and pray it works for he  she is only 51  she got MS when she was 27

 

............Buck

Maybe this will be good for at least pain management?  check it out

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Buck thanks.  I had asked about this from my private md back in 13.  He stated that in his opinion it would not work in my situation. I have consulted a few surgeons but many don't take the time to read through the records, I am noticing a pattern in both VA and Civi doctors, in that most everyone is scared with all the publicity these recent years.  Don't get me wrong the VA has an agenda but so do most private docs for different reasons.

the one I was looking at is small like a 3/4 size credit card implant on the chest with a chord like electronic stimulator embedded near the spine. Battery life I think was 6-8 years.  In any case, my private MD stated it would help some but not enough to justify the request to the insurance because of my age and build. I had to try conservative methods first. I have tried asking about it a couple of times.

I understand sort of but the pain has gotten worse these last few years and heck the percocet and buprenorphine aren't doing much any more.

The Mrs jokes around about the wacky weed pain management  but I'm not sure how much even with that would help.  i think next time I see the pain management doc I'll ask about it again, knowing the system though, I'm sure it will get pushed to next year, new year, new co pays new money. I sound cynical but it is the way it is unfortunately.

I may raise a stink about though, I don't want to wait if I can get some short term relief. I will take it. Just still recovering from my hand surgeries. Thanks for reminding me though it may be another alternative. Maybe with all the new MRi's I may get it pushed through.

 

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  • Content Curator/HadIt.com Elder

Here is some more information:

My mother had a three level spinal fusion where they installed titanium rods and bolted everything to the vertebrae. She still has a lot of pain, but nothing like she used to experience. She is now experiencing problems with the discs above and below the hardware, probably because she refused to retire early and kept working.

My aunt had a disc replaced in her upper back/neck. Basically, it's kind of like a rubber replacement disc with metal edges which clamp onto the adjacent vertebrae. She is back to work and is doing well. The only problem is if she develops osteoporosis then the vertebrae are at risk of fractures or other problems.

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Here is some more information:

My mother had a three level spinal fusion where they installed titanium rods and bolted everything to the vertebrae. She still has a lot of pain, but nothing like she used to experience. She is now experiencing problems with the discs above and below the hardware, probably because she refused to retire early and kept working.

My aunt had a disc replaced in her upper back/neck. Basically, it's kind of like a rubber replacement disc with metal edges which clamp onto the adjacent vertebrae. She is back to work and is doing well. The only problem is if she develops osteoporosis then the vertebrae are at risk of fractures or other problems.

Vync that is a very good point.  It does weaken the anchor points used for the fusion. Darned if you do darned if you don't.  I am confident eventually they will be a synthetic cushion to replace the damaged disks, however, I think it might take the technology of "Fantastic Voyage" to get something done that won't cause some damage because of the procedure.

I kid around but microsurgery like I think is where we might see some relief.  Who knows eventually maybe, for now drugs and cognitive methods I guess.

I should have slowed down a lot sooner than what I did. Ego can be a real destructive force if not checked promptly.

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