I went to see my Dr. today and I got to read the letter that has been sent to my insurance company by Kathy at the VNS company and my Dr. He wrote to her and sent her all my info and she compiled it in a letter stating why I should have the VNS. It was a very nice letter.

She told how I had tried every med out there and couldn't deal with the side effects and how I followed through with councelling for 8 years faithfully and how I had spent time in a mental institution signing myself in only to get thrown out because I couldn't take the meds after only 3 days.

She told how it cost 42000. a year to take care of patients in my shape and also about my cronic pain and that I was on Methadone for it and followed Drs. orders to the letter to try and help myself in every way.

It made me proud to read it. My Dr. says I am still in for a long haul with the insurance company though. They will most likely fight me for months but that's ok, at least I know I have a chance of getting it in the end.

It's hard to deal with the depression and it has gotten worse since losing bill. I honestly believe though that this is my only chance of seeing some improvement but I know also not to believe that it will work for sure. My Dr. is preparing me for anything that I might run up on mentally.

I just wanted to share my good news. It might not happen but I'm hopeful.
Ada

I just wanted to let all of you know that I got a phone call today saying I have been approved for the VNS for my depression. I wasn't expecting it to happen this quick but I am happy about it. I have an appt. on March 15th with the surgeon to implant it.

Ada

Ada

That means that letter that Kathy wrote told exactly how good
a job you have been doing getting the help you needed. But that
it hasn't been doing the job. And that the VNS is the next step
that should be used to try and help you.

The doctor's on the panel think its a good chance that it will help
you.

I wanted to add, my congratulations for the chance too.

You have a great month now waiting.

Remember that long haul you were expecting.

Enjoy the wait.

You will have a great experience now.

Donna

Best of luck with that Ada

I am excited but after I got the news I cried all evening. I cried myself to sleep. I was thinking about Bill. I wish I could have had this done a year or so ago before he passed so we could have gotten to a more normal place in our lives. He was looking forward to a trip to Ca. and Arizona and I was trying to get better to make the trip with him. Deep down though I was afraid to make the trip because of how he had went down hill. He wouldn't have cared, he was always going no matter how he felt.

I wonder why it is a man can go more when he's disabled then a woman can. I made him go places the last few years by himself. I was determined I wasn't going to make him sat at home because I couldn't go.

At a time when I should be happy, I'm having a time getting there.

If it weren't for my PCP standing by me and pushing me, I don't think I'd be here today. He has been one of my best friends for the past 16 years and has helped me get all of the help I need just as he did for Bill.

All of you on this forum have been a great support to me. I can come on here and post to keep my mind off of my grief at times or just talk about it.

Thanks,
Ada

(((((ADA))))) My heart goes out to you... (((hugs)))

Ada

Bill is there with you as a guardian angel. He is rooting you on.

He probably was there telling the insurance company that this
was what they had to do. THat it was your chance for a life.

He will be there when your ready to go on your next trip, and you
will. You'll take a trip because its what he would want to do.

You'll go somewhere do something that he would want to do.

Donna

Hi Ada,

I am using my husband's laptop to write...not used to this.
I had a whole post written and it disappeared.

I'm may be close to knowing how you feel. I've waited over 4 years for an approval for the SCS and the last two for the intrathecal morphine pump with denials.
A year ago, I got approval for the pump trial. I had it, worked well, so doc asked for permanent pump.
WComp said, not only are we DENYING the permanant pump, but we are NOT going to pay for the trial either.

2 months ago the doctor told office staff to ask my Private Insurance & WComp again, to authorize the intrathecal (spinal) morphine pump. The staff never even worked on it until I called a week ago and asked them what the status was. So they asked my private insurance and got THE OK
The didn't ask WComp however so I told them to ask w comp because my insurance coverage is poor. I have medicare to help out also. So yesterday they called w comp and we are waiting for their answer. Meanwhile we are scheduling the surgery anyway. It may me next Friday or the week after.
I'm sitting here pretty much without any emotion. My friend said, "Are you excited?"
Honestly, I said no. I want it, I am not scared or excited, I just want pain relief. I am sure the day before or day of surgery I'll experience some emotion - I'll let you know. That is what my first post was about, not having feelings and if I do, not knowing what they are. I wonder if that is from all the pain meds I take. They may be numbing my emotions instead of my pain

I look forward to (my) & your surgeries and the positive results. I am praying for our surgeries to be successful - positive outcomes, and that we experience success without any complications. That all goes well and these things do what they are supposed to do.

By the way, I emailed you and asked in a post if you ever received the information I sent you on the splanchic block for abdominal, pelvic and hip pain. Did you ever get it? My friend had it and it relieved her pain.
Take good care of Ads...love ya, pat

I did get the PM you sent me on the block. I email and PM so many people I swear I can't keep up with them. I even talk to a lot of the forum girls and I can't keep up with who I have talked to and who I haven't. After Bill passed I had several to call me and I think now was that this one or that one.

I'm very excited about this VNS. My biggest worry as I posted on the RSD forum is the spread of the RSD. He has one patient that is dealing with it in the neck area of the surgery. They can't do a block in that area since it is up kind of high where the wires go. The box goes in the chest area near the arm pit. This surgeon told me he would help me if the RSD came out and my PCP said he'd jump right on it but you know how RSD is. They can't calm my worry about it.

I am hoping you do get that pump. I wanted it back in 2003 but this idiot PM Dr. at the UofC said because I had CSS that it wouldn't work for me. He also told it to another girl on the forum but others have told me that is just not the case. It would work for me.

Between WC, PM's, SS, and SSI we all have a long road to go. My insurance has already approved my VNS. The Surgeon told me that my insurance was a big advocate of this and that's why they approved it so quick.

As far as the numbness and no feelings, it can be the meds but if you are dealing with major depression you know it. I actually have a nurse that has it and she is excited about this for me so she can see how it does so she can get it if it works for me. She says she can't imagine living 5 more years like she is.

From what you have said in your post it does sound like depression to me. I would say the length of how long you have felt the way you do tells you if it's depression or not.

I have dealt with it all of my life and I am 55 years old. It got worse after an etopic pregnancy in 87 and got 10 times more worse after I developed TOS and RSD.

When I say I am excited about this I guess it's the wrong word I think just relieved. I have laid in bed many a night and thought if something doesn't happen for me then something's going to happen to me. I most likely would not be alive in a few years if I didn't get this VNS and if it didn't work.

My husband loved life and never gave up and I'm just the opposite.

I will keep you up on this. Thanks for the info on the block. My problem is when I think about doing something else I need to do for one medical problem I run up on something else that needs taking care of first. Now I am dealing with CFS again so I have to find out what to do about it next.

Keep you hope and faith up. What you want will happen if you want it to and you keep after getting it done.

Ada

Glad you got the info on the block.
I thought you could plant the seed in your doctors ear in case someting really severe happens and you needed an emergency treatment. Once can only take so much pain.

I am getting the pump from what they said. Maybe next week, but I should know for sure. I had surgeries as a child, a ton of surgeries 15-20 yrs ago, 2 just before RSD and hoped I was through. This next one is the last I hope. We are getting too young -- oops, old for this. lol

I sure hope that person on the RSD forum tries those lidoderm patches. Taking meds or patches to help relieve pain gives us hope and less chance of depression. Just like the VNS is going to help YOU
Love ya, Pat