FDA turns down Dascor, company goes out of business, still pain from DNR surgery, NOW WHAT?!

[Johnny Vegas]

I have some problems, as my title notes. Although I my pain may not hold a candle to some of you here, I've got a good ten years in the spine problem business. I "thought" I knew it all, seen all the quacks, been through all of the phoney "tests" and "therapies." So what did I do with all of this knowledge? I had a non-FDA approved surgery through a clinical trial! My theory (and my doctor's) was that this was the latest and greatest. Now the company is out of business after the latest FDA turn down!
Almost two years later now and I am still in pain! Yes, thank you ladies and gentlemen and no, I am not a genius. I believe I may be more of a gambler at this point. I would say I gambled and won though. My pain is %50 gone .
I would like to find out the results of Disc Dynamics clinical trials of Dascor in the US (125 surgeries) and in Europe (300 surgeries). According to some reports, the FDA turned them down because of cancer causing agents. An ex-company rep says all is well, the company simply could not go on after spending $65 million in the last ten years and the technology will be bought by someone else. Anyone out there have any answers? Thanks for your help and support! The problem is what does the future hold?...........
p.s. Come on down to Casino Arizona in Scottsdale and play some poker with me, I'm a dealer there!
p.s.s. My surgery was done by Dr. Christopher Yeung, Phoenix, AZ. He is an awesome doctor, did a great job, I had no complications, and several of my friends have had great outcomes from his work on them.

[Katie]

Can you track down where the executives from this company moved to? It is common for engineers, etc to go to other companies even if the first one is still sound. They may be able to answer some of your questions.

[KBear]

I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. Most of these devices that are in trials in the US are already approved in other countries. I am in the Active L trial, which isn't at the FDA approval stage yet. The way I saw it was, I could go to Germany and pay for the same device or get it free in the US. You do what you have to do. 50% isn't bad for pain relief either. Good Luck!
Kathy

[Johnny Vegas]

Thanks for the advice Katie, I know that Disc Dynamics was located in Minnesota. I can do some research. There is one guy on this forum who claims to have some knowledge of the trials in Europe, so I'll see what I can do. Hope you are able to ride again!....I love horses, worked at a Canterbury Downs race track in Minnesota for ten years!
Kbear, You are right, I just did what I thought was best at the time. Although I have insurance and could've opted for the standard fusion, I also think we have to try new things to advance science and medicine for all of us. So I am a lab rat. Good luck with your trial as well.