Open main menu ☰
HealingWell
Search Close Search
Health Conditions
Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Anxiety & Panic Disorders Arthritis Breast Cancer Chronic Illness Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes
Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Migraine Headache Multiple Sclerosis Prostate Cancer Ulcerative Colitis

View Conditions A to Z »
Support Forums
Anxiety & Panic Disorders Bipolar Disorder Breast Cancer Chronic Pain Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux
Hepatitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Multiple Sclerosis Ostomies Prostate Cancer Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis

View Forums A to Z »
Log In
Join Us
Close main menu ×
  • Home
  • Health Conditions
    • All Conditions
    • Allergies
    • Alzheimer's Disease
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Arthritis
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Illness
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Migraine Headache
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Support Forums
    • All Forums
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Pain
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Hepatitis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Ostomies
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Log In
  • Join Us
Join Us
☰
Forum Home| Forum Rules| Moderators| Active Topics| Help| Log In

Cervical Issues

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
1 23 4
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
profile picture
straydog
Forum Moderator
Joined : Feb 2003
Posts : 18325
Posted 10/23/2018 7:02 AM (GMT -7)
Wow, this is crazy even for the VA. Is there someone like a patient advocate that you can contact at the VA? I would think they would have a designated individual that can assist patients that are having issues.

Just a thought.
profile picture
Darla
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2018
Posts : 508
Posted 10/24/2018 3:22 AM (GMT -7)
Bebbles, so sorry for your anguish along with a painful situation!
profile picture
bebbles
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2016
Posts : 63
Posted 10/29/2018 8:03 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks for the poster of reminding me of patient advocate at the VA because they immediately intervened. Had them check with pain management to see what the hold up was with the appointment for the injections and records release who both called one after another. Patient records opened up with they heard I complained about my records not being sent and I told her that was correct. She could see when I last came over personally to check on the records which were sent 12 October, 10 miles from me. Never made it so they are resending today. Pain management gave me an early December appointment, not for the injections but for a consult. Geez, its been over 2 months since I saw the neurosurgeon. smile I actually love the VA for medical care but some of the veterans at any VA seem to be very lazy. Pain management is probably backed up but the records are what I need like right now! As far as my pain in the neck, it has been very manageable with not so much radiating tinging and very little medication. I do stay in the gym quite a bit and swim as well. I don't over do it and try not to put undo stress on the neck.
profile picture
straydog
Forum Moderator
Joined : Feb 2003
Posts : 18325
Posted 10/29/2018 8:28 AM (GMT -7)
Bebbles, so glad you were able to get some assistance with an advocate at the VA. My husband is 100% disabled vet, he uses the VA mainly for his medications. The insulin he is on is super expensive & just happens to be the one that works for him. He also has regular Medicare which pays for his medical visits only, not prescriptions. He had to fight to get the insulin he needed because they wanted him on the cheap stuff that does not work at all. Hopefully, when you reach 65 you will be eligible for Medicare & you can use both.


Several years ago my husband was in the hospital & the dr in charge was a pulmonary specialist. My husband does not have pulmonary problems. This guy had no idea what he was doing & he continued to get worse. I went to the admin's office & they put me in touch with a hospital patient advocate. We fired the dr & a new one was brought in immediately. My husband had more done in 4 hours by the new dr than 4 days with the other. The dr had been written up previously & was written up again over this mess. He was a complete idiot trying to treat patients not in the realm of his specialty.

I hope you can get the disc in a few days, keep us posted.
profile picture
Beachbumgirl
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2016
Posts : 97
Posted 11/1/2018 2:15 PM (GMT -7)
Hi bebbles and gang.
I was catching up on your messages. Great to hear a Va. advocate is able to help you. Now, they need to produce the MRI so you can go to your second consult. I’m glad you can still move around, work out and swim while you are waiting. That WORD.......WAITING! It is so hard to do.
My surgery went well, my recovery is going well. Minimal pain. I did have a 9 day migraine that stopped just a few days ago. My neurosurgeon warned me it could happen. Basically, my neck
Muscles get tired by mid afternoon. Not much pain at all. I have a lifting restriction to 5 lbs.
Not even a full gallon of milk. 😂 The neurosurgeon said the area definitely needed surgery. My
First check-up is November 15th. I feel good. I believe he decompressed the area and removed
Some bone also. He explained everything before I signed the consent. He was great! It was day
Surgery and my husband drove us home ,about 2 hrs, the same day. Minimal pain or nausea going
Home. I used a scopolamine patch. My incision was held together with surgical glue, which has now come off.
I see my NS in January 2019, at that time we will decide if the right side needs to be done.
Take care all and I’m praying bebbles you get your records/ MRI VERY SOON.
profile picture
bebbles
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2016
Posts : 63
Posted 11/2/2018 3:07 PM (GMT -7)
Hi BBG,

Did get my disk finally after waiting over a month! It was too late in the day to take it to the 2nd neurosurgeon but will first thing Monday morning. Glad to see your feeling a little better if I'm reading right. What was the name of your surgery? I believe you said a day surgery that had you out the same day? Do you feel better? What time of pain post surgery? Thanks.
B
profile picture
Beachbumgirl
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2016
Posts : 97
Posted 11/6/2018 9:12 AM (GMT -7)
Bebbles so awesome to hear you received your disc! So when is your “date” with the 2nd neurosurgeon? The name of my surgery was decompression, I believe. It was day surgery.
I do feel better. Post surgery all I took was Vicodin the first week then Tylenol. I’m very surprised with that! My neck muscles were tired towards later afternoon in the second week. I took a muscle relaxer and heat. That helped. As of today, I feel well. The crown of my head is still a little numb, he told me that would happen. It will take time to wear off. It is from touching the nerves that innervate that area. My check-up with the PA is 11/15/18. Hopefully
I will be cleared to work a little. Funny when I feel a little better it gets boring around the
House. I don’t want to injure the surgical area though. I can wait.

Take care,
Carol
profile picture
bebbles
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2016
Posts : 63
Posted 11/6/2018 10:04 AM (GMT -7)
bbg,
Glad to hear you feel better! I dropped off my disk yesterday but now the ns will review my information and call me whenever for a potential appointment. I'm looking forward to attempting the injections first. Good Luck and get better soon!
profile picture
bebbles
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2016
Posts : 63
Posted 11/21/2018 1:39 PM (GMT -7)
A quick update. Just as I was giving up hope on a 2nd opinion, the neurosurgeon office finally called yesterday to set up an appointment but it's after my consult with the VA on the 3rd of December. Not sure when the actual injection will be through them but I still want the 2nd opinion before the injection. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
profile picture
(Seashell)
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2012
Posts : 1080
Posted 11/21/2018 4:13 PM (GMT -7)
The wheels of non-emergent medical care often move with glacial speed. Slowly. Recurrent waiting - waiting on an appointment date to see a physician, waiting for test results, waiting for a procedure, waiting in line at a pharmacy.

Good news about securing a second opinion.

What is the familiar proverb? “All good things come to those who wait.”

Sending you positive karma for all good things in resolving your cervical spine issues.
Karen
profile picture
bebbles
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2016
Posts : 63
Posted 11/22/2018 9:20 AM (GMT -7)
Thank you much and Happy Thanksgiving!
profile picture
bebbles
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2016
Posts : 63
Posted 12/2/2018 6:09 PM (GMT -7)
Tomorrow is my consult at the VA and the 17th the second opinion. How would some of you decide between the two opinions?? Thanks for any advice!
profile picture
straydog
Forum Moderator
Joined : Feb 2003
Posts : 18325
Posted 12/2/2018 6:51 PM (GMT -7)
Hard to say at this point. For me everything would hinge on what both drs have to say. Good luck tomorrow.
profile picture
DadCue
Regular Member
Joined : Oct 2018
Posts : 27
Posted 12/2/2018 10:30 PM (GMT -7)
Bebbles,
I have some chronic pain issues. Three years ago, I was in a similar situation and found myself being referred to the spine clinic for lumbar stenosis. I was having acute lower back pain with radiating leg pain with right foot drop along with bilateral lower extremity numbness and total loss of reflexes. An MRI revealed severe stenosis and the surgeon recommended urgent surgery which involved spinal fusion and no guarantee it would relieve the pain. Fortunately, the pain got better when I took prednisone. I'm not recommending prednisone but it did buy me some time. I talked to my rheumatologist and she recommended localized steroid injections instead of systemic steroids and to try physical therapy. Coincidentally, I was already scheduled to see a neurosurgeon to follow-up after brain surgery for trigeminal neuralgia. The opinion of my neurosurgeon was he would be happy to do what he could if I couldn't tolerate the pain. The pain by then was tolerable so he suggested waiting and letting pain be the determining factor. Long story short, I still haven't had the surgery and never had the steroid injections to my spine. I am familiar with injections for knees and a couple other joints and they were helpful. Physical therapy was also helpful. I still have anxiety about my spine and I understand that. My advise is get as many opinions as you can but chances are they will all be different.

Speaking of opinions, I'm interested in your overall opinion of the VA system. The reason for my interest is that I plan to transfer my routine health care needs to the VA beginning in 2020. I currently get care from a university hospital but the VA hospital is literally across the street. There is a lot of "cross traffic" with doctors and patients walking back and forth between the two hospitals. It is possible for me to see some of the same doctors I currently see at the university and see them at the VA instead.

In 2020, my transition to Medicare will happen and my intent is to use the VA system as my Medicare supplement. This would save the cost of the premium and also some future healthcare costs.

I had a primary care visit at the VA awhile ago and had a neutral impression. The difference was that I only saw a resident. I enjoy residents because teaching is important function. However, I never got to see the staff doctor That seemed different but not necessary since I was only there to learn how the system worked. They could access all my medical records from the university so that wasn't a problem.

I asked for a rheumatology consult and that was done and soon received a call from scheduling and the next available was in 2 weeks. I told them there was no hurry and said that 2 months would be better. The problem was that they couldn't tell me who the staff doctor would be and the impression I got was it would be whoever was there that day. I talked to my rheumatologist at the university and she says that she goes to the VA randomly but only to cover for doctors on vacation and or who were sick. I am debating whether or not to cancel the appointment.

I would be interested to hear what you or anyone else who cares to offer advise has to say about the VA.
profile picture
straydog
Forum Moderator
Joined : Feb 2003
Posts : 18325
Posted 12/3/2018 9:59 AM (GMT -7)
Hello DadCue & welcome to Healing Well. My husband is on regular Medicare plus a supplemental policy that picks up the 20% that Medicare does not pay. He ended up at the VA for prescription coverage because his insulin is super expensive. He hit the donut hole in no time. We could not afford $1500 a month just for his insulin. He takes his prescriptions to the primary care dr & she turns them in & his medications are mailed to him.

He goes yearly for a physical with a primary care dr at the VA. He does not use the VA drs for most of his medical care. He had some heart problem pop up & he was told by the VA dr to see a cardiologist outside of the VA & did. Please note that whatever medical treatment that is rendered through the VA, they bill Medicare & Medicare pays the VA like they would any provider that accepts Medicare at the rate of 80% of allowable rate.

If you are thinking of using the VA as a supplemental to your Medicare, as in the 20% Medicare does not pay, I don't think this will work. You really need to check into this for sure. If you opt for an Advantage plan through Medicare I do not know if they will work with the VA or not.

Medicare has guidelines that has to be followed when using the VA. Their websites are really informative. Care at a VA facility varies from facility to facility. Fortunately, my husband has not had any issues to date with the VA.

Good luck.
profile picture
DadCue
Regular Member
Joined : Oct 2018
Posts : 27
Posted 12/3/2018 11:57 AM (GMT -7)
Just to clarify -- I don't mean that the VA would be a Medicare supplement literally. It would just become where I would make appointments, get prescriptions filled, etc. and perhaps still see my same doctors --- only the location changes. It seems like, if I was willing to change locations, there would be minimal expense to me. I understand that the VA will bill Medicare which pays 80%. It is my understanding the VA won't bill me for the remaining 20%. In that regard - will I even need a Medicare supplement or Advantage plan? In a way, I am beginning to think Medicare will become a chronic pain financially.

Post Edited (DadCue) : 12/3/2018 12:02:39 PM (GMT-7)

profile picture
straydog
Forum Moderator
Joined : Feb 2003
Posts : 18325
Posted 12/3/2018 12:48 PM (GMT -7)
I can't answer your question whether the VA would absorb the remaining 20% or not, you would have to check with the VA. I believe the medications are on a tier type of program, depending on the medication determines the cost. If you have any service connected disability this can help off set costs. You would be best served to visit your local VA facility & speak to them.
profile picture
bebbles
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2016
Posts : 63
Posted 12/3/2018 5:25 PM (GMT -7)
Had my consult today and won't be until 22 Jan 2019 until I can get an injection, meanwhile I will be attending a second opinion shortly. I am very hopeful the injections will help and I plan to re-start physical therapy. As far as the VA's medical care system, I am absolutely love them. I've heard stories of people passing away while awaiting medical appointments for care at the VA but what about using the emergency room at the VA? If your situation is dire, the emergency room will never turn away a veteran no matter what your monthly compensation level is. The VA is great but I still prefer a second opinion from an outside source on my situation, nothing bad on them! smile
profile picture
bebbles
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2016
Posts : 63
Posted 12/21/2018 5:40 PM (GMT -7)
Happy Holiday to everyone!

Just a quick update. I had my 2nd opinion appointment on Monday and the PA's opinion matched the VA's opinion and she asked what would I say if she offered surgery right away, so my condition is a little more serious than I thought. She was very thorough on her diagnosis and what I did agree to for now was some methyl prednisone for 5 days. I will go with the injections for sure. She said it would be a discectomy from the anterior side at 2 levels with fusions. I think I will also go back through some therapy but surgery is off in the future, maybe summer time if I opt to do it. I am really scared of this surgery for sure! Happy New year everyone again and thanks for all your opinions and advice!
profile picture
straydog
Forum Moderator
Joined : Feb 2003
Posts : 18325
Posted 12/22/2018 12:53 AM (GMT -7)
Bebbles, glad to read that you finally had your second opinion. What would concern me is the PA asking about doing surgery today. This should be something for you to keep in mind. Normally a patient is told here are your options surgery or do nothing. I do remember the level the VA surgeon showed you on the MRI that is an issue. Keep in mind that is not good to the spinal fluid being constricted like that. Do not put yourself in a situation of waiting too long & potentially knocking yourself out of having a much, much better result had you done it earlier.

I would do the ESI. Please understand ESI's are not a cure, it will not change what is showing up on your MRI. All you are doing is putting a bandaid on the problem. I suggest that you heed WhiteBeard's warning of being very careful with your neck. We all totally understand your fear about surgery, this is normal. A 2 level fusion is as common today as someone having their gallbladder taken out. They have been doing them for a very long time & things are much more advanced today than they were many years ago.

Merry Christmas!
profile picture
White Beard
Forum Moderator
Joined : Feb 2009
Posts : 3740
Posted 12/22/2018 1:03 AM (GMT -7)
Hi bebbles, at exactly what level is she recommending the ACDF? I know this surgery sounds scary, but personally I would be more scared of not having it? A bad disc in other areas of the spine, if they go really bad quickly you might be looking at partial paralysis! But when your talking about disc's in the cervical spine well if they go really bad there is always the possibility (even if remote) of major paralysis like quadrieplegic! Personally that is allot more scary to me than having the Discectomy and fusion! I have had very good luck with my ACDF's and they relieved the pain almost instantaneously! Sure I lost my voice for a few months and had some major swallowing difficulties after my first ACDF at C6/7 but again that might not have been totally the result of the surgery, because before the surgery of the amount of disc damage I had, and direct pressure on my spinal cord no one could figure out or explain why I wasn't a quadrieplegic! When I started having simular symptoms 25 years later (2009)and the disc above the fusion was going bad I didn't hesitate to have the Discectomy and fusion! That surgery was a piece of cake! But they've came a long way from when I had that first ACDF in 1985!

Anyway I've had the spinal steroid injections many times and they never gave me me any lasting relief. I think about 3 weeks was the longest period of relief I got! Predisone is a miracle drug but one that is a double edge sword though! It does Great things but the side affect can be horrendous! It's often referred as the drug you love but hate!

Anyway I wish you well bebbles! Good luck to you and Merry Christmas!

White Beard

Just as a side note, I get disability through the VA and I do get most of my meds through them, and I have used their physical therapy services which I think is outstanding! but because of previous experiences I've had with them, I use civilian doctors for everything! Between my Medicare and TriCare for life, it covers most everything for me!
profile picture
bebbles
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2016
Posts : 63
Posted 12/25/2018 1:04 PM (GMT -7)
Merry Christmas everyone! I have thought about it and I will definitely do the injections and then probably shortly thereafter do the surgery. I was going to wait out till the end of my daughter's school year in May but I might be pushing it?? The PA mentioned doing a disk replacements at 2 levels with fusions and I might not have gotten it all down. Now how do I decide between the 2 doctors?? I have read both bios and they looked well experienced. I usually get major surgeries done by civilian providers and the VA is definitely further away. Not taking away from the VA at all. Appreciate your recommendations and advice very much! What I have doing is viewing different cervical surgeries over the past several days or so and with everyone's advice, I think I will be ok! smile But as some have said,doing nothing is worse.
profile picture
Darla
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2018
Posts : 508
Posted 12/26/2018 4:30 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Bebbles! I wanted to chime in and say I had a 4 level fusion done this past July and I highly recommend the surgery. I was terrified and that is how I found this site...But it was not bad at all. I stayed one night, even with a 4 level. Went home with no collar, manageable pain. I won't say I have no neck pain because I still do but much less. I have inflammatory arthritis and did have so much replaced with titanium cages, etc. In fact, I am wearing a bone stimulator I wear for 30 minutes a day as I type. I am really glad I had the surgery...I had not much down time and a lot if improvement. Good luck and let us know.
profile picture
bebbles
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2016
Posts : 63
Posted 12/26/2018 5:36 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks Daria! Wow, 4 levels!, glad to hear you are doing much much better!
profile picture
Darla
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2018
Posts : 508
Posted 12/26/2018 6:52 AM (GMT -7)
Bebbles, thank you. From asking around the cervical surgery actually is not that unusual! My NS said having our heads down to use devices is a big reason. He said my damage had been there a long time (I just turned 59) and I am sure the arthritis caused mine to be more advanced than it would be. I felt sort of 'bullet proof' after the surgery, thinking I have a new titanium neck so I don't need to worry but the NS said the discs around the replaced ones have to be considered. I am long-winded but you have many good years left to use your neck and having the constant kinks and pain is not a good option, in my opinion. I think if I had addressed the pain-in-the neck sooner it would have been less levels. We get used to tolerating things. Everybody is different but I wanted to share some afterthoughts. Good luck with it!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
1234

More On Chronic Illness

Living With Chronic Pain

Living With Chronic Pain

Are Opioids An Option For My Chronic Pain?

Are Opioids An Option For My Chronic Pain?



HealingWell

About Us  |   Advertise  |   Subscribe  |   Privacy & Disclaimer
Connect With Us
FacebookFacebook TwitterTwitter InstagramInstagram PinterestPinterest LinkedInLinkedIn
© 1997-2021 HealingWell.com LLC All Rights Reserved. Our website is for informational purposes only. HealingWell.com LLC does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.