Looking into ADR

[KBear]

Glad it's over, it's definitely not the funest test I've ever done!

[Dave]

Jim,

I thought the worst part of my EMG were the needles in the neck and in the hand. The placement in the arm were not to bad.

[KBear]

Jim,

I thought the worst part of my EMG were the needles in the neck and in the hand. The placement in the arm were not to bad.

I agree, the neck one's were no fun whatsoever! The rest wasn't bad, I was all worked up for mine, having heard how horrible it was (and this was from people who just had the arms done, not even the neck!).

[moorejames]

Jim,

I thought the worst part of my EMG were the needles in the neck and in the hand. The placement in the arm were not to bad.

I've had five epidural injections in my neck -- I'm getting pretty used to it.

He moved the one in my tricep around quite a bit. It left a quarter sized bruise and my arm hurt pretty good for a couple of days.

Other than that, it wasn't horrible -- just something I wouldn't want to do on a regular basis...

[KBear]

I've had five epidural injections in my neck -- I'm getting pretty used to it.

He moved the one in my tricep around quite a bit. It left a quarter sized bruise and my arm hurt pretty good for a couple of days.

Other than that, it wasn't horrible -- just something I wouldn't want to do on a regular basis...

Wow, you were awake for the epidurals in the neck? They told me that they had to sedate me, just in case something went wrong. They said that in the rare event they hit the wrong thing, or numbed the wrong thing, that they would have to take over my breathing manually, until it wore off. I'm sure I could handle it awake, but I much prefer to be sedated, a couple of hours of no pain- sign me up.

Everyone had said had bad the shocking was; but it really wasn't bad, just uncomfortable. The needles in the neck I did not like, they were real uncomfortable and to have to leave them there; not to mention I have a fear of needles (but am getting over it, thanks to all the needles I have had to deal with with the back issues and having 2 kids). I did accupuncture too and the needles in the neck, wrists, backs of knees and feet were the worst. Sometimes it was like they would hit something and it would sting.

[roomba]

I'm pretty new here too. I had a disc removed and fusion in c3-4 about 11 years ago and it was very successful. I had lost strength in my arm - couldn't lift anything past my waist and had terrible nerve pain in my arm. After the surgery, the pain was gone and I have had no problems at all ever since. It was a while ago so I don't remember details but I do remember it went smoothly and I recovered quickly.

Now I'm having a L1-L5 Laminectomy on Oct. 7. I have severe spinal stenosis and am becoming more sedentary every day. I'm hoping this surgery will be as successful as my neck.

Good luck with your journey to wellness.

Natalie

[moorejames]

The EMG was negative. The doc is recommending a 2 level fusion. (C5-6 C6-7)

C5-6 looks the worst, but my symptoms are more indicative of a problem with C6-7.

They offered to refer me to Dr. McAfee in Baltimore if I wanted to pursue ADR.

I'm thinking it all over.

[moorejames]

So I went to Baltimore and met with Dr. McAfee. Very nice guy - busy, but he spent as much time with me as I needed. He thinks I'd be a good candidate for ADR, but I would need two levels. We're submitting it to Aetna to see what they say, but I'm not holding out a lot of hope.

Also saw another surgeon here in Ohio that specializes in MISS. He wasn't comfortbale making a diagnosis off of my existing MRI, so we're scheduling a CT with Myelography to get some better pictures.

Looks like it's a case of hurry up and wait

My last epidural finally seemed to "kick in" a week or so ago (took almost a month...) , so I'm not in much pain and hand/arm symptoms have subsided, so I guess I can endure a couple more months of navigating the health care system.

[Justin]

So I went to Baltimore and met with Dr. McAfee. Very nice guy - busy, but he spent as much time with me as I needed. He thinks I'd be a good candidate for ADR, but I would need two levels. We're submitting it to Aetna to see what they say, but I'm not holding out a lot of hope.

Also saw another surgeon here in Ohio that specializes in MISS. He wasn't comfortbale making a diagnosis off of my existing MRI, so we're scheduling a CT with Myelography to get some better pictures.

Looks like it's a case of hurry up and wait

My last epidural finally seemed to "kick in" a week or so ago (took almost a month...) , so I'm not in much pain and hand/arm symptoms have subsided, so I guess I can endure a couple more months of navigating the health care system.

Hey Jim,

Thanks for updating up on your trip to see Dr. McAfee. He is a fantastic surgeon. The good news is that you are a cervical case and insurance companies have a pretty good track record paying for cervical procedures. Congrats on the pain relief provided by the epidural! :thumpup: We'll keep our fingers crossed that the epidural will last during your hurry up and wait phase.

Please keep us posted on what the CT/Myelogram study shows.

Be well.

[Justin]

Hey Jim,

I just wanted to touch base to see how you were doing. Pop in if you get a second.