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Chronic Pain
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Posted 6/26/2014 6:49 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I saw the neck surgeon earlier today (Wednesday morning). I went prepared with a copy of my last MRI. He was shocked that I was not already told that it was imperative that I have neck surgery based on the MRI I had l had last July. I have one bulging disc that is pushing on my spinal cord so bad that it pushes the spinal cord in more than halfway in. The other 2 bulging discs weren't as bad so he has ordered a new MRI to see if there are any changes in those 2 discs before he does surgery.

My insurance expires at the end of June so I tried to find out about getting the tax credit to help pay for some insurance and I was told my family does not make enough money. What is the tax credit for then? I don't know what to do know with both my husband and I not being able to work. Any suggestions?
Posted 6/26/2014 7:41 AM (GMT 0)
Some counties offer medical assistance in Tx. Also there is SS Disability. It sounds like you are going to need some help soon to get your neck issues resolved. Hopefully you will heal and be able to rejoin the workforce. Is your new MRI scheduled?
Posted 6/26/2014 9:46 AM (GMT 0)
I am scheduled for my new MRI for Monday. I follow up with the surgeon on Wednesday.
Posted 6/26/2014 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
I had C5 Neck Fusion Surgery a few years ago.  Your sounds as bad as mine.  My C5 was cracked in half and pieces were picked out of my spinal cord for a few hours.  I need another surgery on C4 but since my surgery was so painful I have no desire right now.  I'm waiting for technology to get better.  I'm not going back for what I've been through.

If you're in the States there are programs that can help. 

Posted 6/26/2014 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
The bad thing is, I don't think my surgeon will take Medicaid. I am so confused and frustrated right now. I dontt know what to do.
Posted 6/26/2014 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
If your insurance runs out at the end of the month, (did you tell the surgeon that?) If it is that bad why can't he schedule you an emergency MRI right away and then do the surgery before the end of the month? I know they can do that. if the situation is deemed bad enough. When I had my first fusion, they did a myloegram and found what they thought was a tumor on my cervical spine, they rushed me to a hospital with an MRI (this was back in 1985) and they done an emergency MRI, they found that the C6/7 disc was pressing into my spinal cord and it had ruptured and had fragments in the spinal canal. The neurosurgeon was called, and he reviewed the scan, and they admitted me right away, and did surgery the first thing the next morning!

You might want to at least ask your surgeon about this, if he thinks that this is that bad, he might work with you, to get it done before your insurance expires. Worth a try anyway isn't it? I mean what do you have to lose? But by at least asking you might have allot to gain???? But time is running out! Good luck to you!

White Beard

P.S.  Excuse me, but I forgot to Welcome YOU to our Healing Well Chronic Pain Forum!  So Welcome!! turn

Posted 6/26/2014 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah,...^^what WB said^^

I'd have an open and honest discussion with your doctor regarding your insurance.

Most of the time, I find doctors are understanding about this. They know they're in an expensive business.





M.
Posted 6/26/2014 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
I would be on the phone now with that surgeon today. Did you tell him your insurance was running out? I am like WhiteBeard he could push all of this through & get your surgery done before the insurance expires.

Medicaid will limit what drs will see you. SSD is so squirrely, can take up to 1 1/2 yrs to go through their process. Medicare does not kick in immediately even of you get approved. It takes about that long to be eligible for Medicare.

Good luck.
Posted 6/27/2014 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
I hope you will be able to talk to your surgeon about your insurance issue. As has been said It won't hurt to ask and it might do lots of good!

I know that Taylor County has medical help available-maybe they all do. It's not Medicaid. So if talking to the dr does not help, maybe there is another way. Also you may need to work on getting Disability. That will not give you insurance for a long time but it might help you pay for medical care. The county program I have recently heard about in Taylor county tries to get people to apply for disability while they are being helped. A family member is currently dealing with this.
Posted 6/27/2014 5:22 AM (GMT 0)
The doctor knows about the issue. He said if he had to he would talk to the hospital about doing my surgery as a charity case. He never mentioned his fees though. Late in the day today, or should I say yesterday (Thursday), I got a call about my MRI. Since I haven't met my $7500 deductible yet, I have to pay for my MRI. I told them I dont have money and if they would let me make payments or if there were any other options and I was told I could pay half on Monday before I have the MRI and the other half before I see the doctor on Wednesday. So I have a call in to the doctor to ask him what I am suppose to do since I can't pay for the MRI or his office visit on Wednesday.

I am looking into all the resources that I might be eligible for but no luck so far. Just keep me in your prayers. If it is God's will, it will be done.
Posted 6/27/2014 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
Haven't been able to sleep much overvthe last several days. The stress is really taking a toll on me. It triggered a migrane last night and of course nothing helped and I couldnt sleep to get any relief. It is finally starting to subside.

I have a call into the doctors office and I am sitting and waiting for a return call.

Did get some good news, we might be able to just pay for an insurance policy after all by the grace of God. I am still waiting on confirmation, but it looks promising.

God is great!!!
Posted 6/28/2014 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
There are income and resource limits for Medicaid, Texas didn't expand Medicaid. You also have to be found disabled and/or be under 65 if you have no dependents.

Post Edited (Mercy&Grace) : 6/28/2014 10:24:09 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/28/2014 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
By the grace of God, he has made everything happen. My parents were able to pull together all the money I needed to pay for an individual insurance plan for me. I found a location that would work with me on the payment of the MRI that I need so I will have that done on Monday under my current health insurance and my new insurance will start on Tuesday which is a lot better than what I currently have. I finally slept last night and all my body wants to do today is sleep. Guess now that I am losing my stress my body is trying to catch up.

Well I guess all that is left for me is to see when surgery will be scheduled and I should find that out on Wednesday. Thanks to everyone for the kind words and all the support you have shown. It is amazing to finally find a group of people who understands what I am going through and can give me practical and relevant advise.
Posted 6/28/2014 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Great news, thank God!! Rest well today and get caught up.
Posted 6/28/2014 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
That's Great ! Catch up on your sleep.
Posted 7/20/2014 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,
What's going on now? Were there any changes seen in your MRI? Is surgery scheduled. Let us know when you can, please.
Posted 7/21/2014 4:38 AM (GMT 0)
**UPDATE**

My MRI showed that the bulging discs have gotten worse. I am having surgery on Monday, July 28th. The surgeon will be performing an ACCF. He has decided that since the disc between C4-C5 is not touching the spinal cord he will not touch that yet. He will be removing the vertebrae at C6 and will be removing the disc C5-C7. I am hoping this helps with the numbness in the left arm and the pain in the right arm. After I recover from my neck surgery, he will start to evaluate my back to see what he can do for me to help ease some of that pain.

My main concern right now is post-op pain management. My pain management doctor told me to call after the surgery to discuss that. Is that normal?

Any suggestions from others who have had this surgery?
Posted 7/21/2014 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
Your pain mgt dr wants you to call after surgery? I would think you should be seen before surgery to insure that you will adequate pain control post-op. You need to call them & ask who is going to manage your post op meds, the surgeon or the PM dr. You need to have meds on board when you get released from the hospital.

Let us know what you find out. If you get no where by phone then I would go to the pm office & get some answers.
Posted 7/21/2014 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
The surgeon will provide scripts for pain medication. If you fill it you won't be able to fill what your PM prescribes (can't fill both). If you're use to a certain medication and the surgeon doesn't provide that then have your PM prescribe it. Or you can ask the surgeon for just a few days of meds until you can see your PM Dr.

The day before my C5 surgery I saw my PM Dr. and filled my normal meds. The surgeon did give me a script when I left the hospital but I never filled it.

You can't get meds filled by phone, you have to physically visit the Dr.
Posted 7/21/2014 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Forgot to add, if you have a signed Contract with your PM dr this all needs to be straightened out before surgery on who is providing what. We have seen people get fired by their PM dr for filling a script for pain meds from their surgeon. This is why its important to get this straight before surgery.
Posted 7/21/2014 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Yes I have a contract with my PM doctor and my surgeon knows. I have my husband authorized to speak with them as well as pick prescriptions for me. I just wish my PM would plan ahead instead of waiting to see what type of pain I will be in.
Posted 7/30/2014 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,
Now that your July 28 surgery is past,
just wanted you to know you are being thought about with gentle, healing thoughts and lots of care. Whenever you see this, take it very slow and easy and let your body heal. We will be glad to hear from you later.
Posted 7/30/2014 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hope things went good for your surgery, many prayers and well wishes...
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