I have recently been referred by my doctor to pain management for sciatica, spinal stenosis from herniated disc as I am in constant excruciating pain. I have already had two microdiscectomies, 3 yrs physical therapy, four steroid injections back in 2007 & 2008, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, prescription nerve blocker, muscle relaxer and ibuprofen and am currently scheduled for another steroid injection. The next step I want to avoid is disc fusion because it limits mobility. I questioned the doctor about burning the nerve like my husband is about to have done for varicose veins. He said it would render my leg useless. I asked about whether they replace the missing cartilage or disc, he said they couldn’t. I couldn’t sleep tonight because of pain, so I began researching on internet and found five different sources and articles on gel and cartridge disc replacement for spine as being successful during trials. I don’t know why the doctor would lie to me. I asked about CBD or medicinal marijuana also and he said he couldn’t officially give me a referral but that he heard that it could work and thought it’d be worth trying. After discussing with CBD store people and expressed that I only want to kill pain (not be high or non functional) I have gotten Kratum which gives me a couple hours of pain relief and does more than any prescription without the high. My problem is that I got turned down for reopening an L&I case from 2006 job injury even after appeal (though I was told I could reopen at any time as I was deemed as having a partial permanent injury disability. I am currently in appeal process for social security disability. So in meantime I am on charity program of this medical group while I wait. Also waiting on medicaid application.
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A coworker got some cartiledge replaced. He had to go to Germany to have it done though cause the replacements arent FDA approved. He may not be lying, he may just be ignorant.
Didn’t Trump pass a ‘Right to Try’ act?
I don't think you want a doctor to operate on you with a procedure they don't use or understand just because "the procedure works." The person administering meds to be competent and preferably very experienced also.
I like the idea of pursuing other opinions from doctors already using the treatment you're seeking.
That’s what I want and the pain doctor isn’t a surgeon, so he wouldn’t be the one doing it anyway. Not sure why he didn’t refer me though unless he isn’t aware but I sent him links to all that I found so he knows I know now.
I think its only for life threatening conditions.
Yeah, just found that. That sucks!
And insurance didn't cover it. But the other cool thing about his surgery is the doctors set up his phone to record the whole process. So he showed me video of the doctor with a hammer and chisel pounding the replacement into his spine. Their liability laws are much different so they aren't worried about people suing them. Hope the description doesn't deter you. I think its great tech.