28th October 2002
Hello!
I have been reading these boards for sometime now, and just now asking for advice. Go figure!
I have been diagnosed with a L5/S1 Grade 3 annular tear. My Orthopaedic Surgeon seems to think it tore or has been aggrevated by my Irritable Bowel Syndrome (which can give me severe constipation -yuck, sorry! and requires me to push, therefore putting pressure on my disk). I have had many neurological tests done: MRI's of cervical, lumbar, and thoracic (I also have a small central herniation at T7/T8- which they want to deal with after the lumbar area is fixed- they think some of the pain is from the leakage of the lumbar tear); Myelogram with CT and a diskogram. I have tried many medications (anti-inflams, muscle relaxers, pain meds (the only one that works is Vicodin HP (high potency). I have a tens unit, I try ice and heat...EVERYTHING!
So, here is my problem, my Orthopaedic Surgeon wants to do IDET...the insurance won't cover it or any complications thereafter. The ins. Company (BC/BS) says that a diskectomy is more effective than IDET. I have asked the DR's office to appeal to the Medical Board of BC/BS to try to get this procedure approved based on the fact that it is a tear and doesn't need removed or replaced and that I am a 27 y/o female. I will have to wait 30 days to get a judgement.
In lieu of IDET (for now)-I just had an KLM injection into L5/S1(it's Kenalog (anti-inflam), Lidocaine (short term anestetic) and Marcaine ("long term" anestetic)- Dr. hopes that will help me cope with my pain. That was 3 days ago and nothing is different. I can only relieve my pain with Vicodin HP, and sometimes with my cane as needed. I have to sit on an shower stool to take a shower sometimes, I can't go anywhere execept to the doctor and have been out of work (with sick pay,thank god) for 3 months. I was so relieved to hear about IDET, and now so incredibly discouraged because I can't get it fixed.
Has anyone heard of any other treatment options other than IDET to fix a tear? The insurance co. will not cover anything like IDET!
Should I look into going to a Neurosurgeon? I have seen a Chiropractor, Neurologist and an Orthopaedic Surgeon. They are all top in their field (in Chicago), and are highly recommenended (by my boyfriend who had a laminectomy last year on L4/L5 and L5/S1- we are such a couple!)
If you have any thoughts, I would love to hear from you. I am really discouraged and down in the dumps. Thanks!!!!
I have been reading these boards for sometime now, and just now asking for advice. Go figure!
I have been diagnosed with a L5/S1 Grade 3 annular tear. My Orthopaedic Surgeon seems to think it tore or has been aggrevated by my Irritable Bowel Syndrome (which can give me severe constipation -yuck, sorry! and requires me to push, therefore putting pressure on my disk). I have had many neurological tests done: MRI's of cervical, lumbar, and thoracic (I also have a small central herniation at T7/T8- which they want to deal with after the lumbar area is fixed- they think some of the pain is from the leakage of the lumbar tear); Myelogram with CT and a diskogram. I have tried many medications (anti-inflams, muscle relaxers, pain meds (the only one that works is Vicodin HP (high potency). I have a tens unit, I try ice and heat...EVERYTHING!
So, here is my problem, my Orthopaedic Surgeon wants to do IDET...the insurance won't cover it or any complications thereafter. The ins. Company (BC/BS) says that a diskectomy is more effective than IDET. I have asked the DR's office to appeal to the Medical Board of BC/BS to try to get this procedure approved based on the fact that it is a tear and doesn't need removed or replaced and that I am a 27 y/o female. I will have to wait 30 days to get a judgement.
In lieu of IDET (for now)-I just had an KLM injection into L5/S1(it's Kenalog (anti-inflam), Lidocaine (short term anestetic) and Marcaine ("long term" anestetic)- Dr. hopes that will help me cope with my pain. That was 3 days ago and nothing is different. I can only relieve my pain with Vicodin HP, and sometimes with my cane as needed. I have to sit on an shower stool to take a shower sometimes, I can't go anywhere execept to the doctor and have been out of work (with sick pay,thank god) for 3 months. I was so relieved to hear about IDET, and now so incredibly discouraged because I can't get it fixed.
Has anyone heard of any other treatment options other than IDET to fix a tear? The insurance co. will not cover anything like IDET!
Should I look into going to a Neurosurgeon? I have seen a Chiropractor, Neurologist and an Orthopaedic Surgeon. They are all top in their field (in Chicago), and are highly recommenended (by my boyfriend who had a laminectomy last year on L4/L5 and L5/S1- we are such a couple!)
If you have any thoughts, I would love to hear from you. I am really discouraged and down in the dumps. Thanks!!!!