Shalom everyone -
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i have a hard shell back brace -- it is not fitting properly -
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i went back twice to spine clinic - told this is the best they can adjust it --stuff wash cloths in places to make it fit better --
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i now take it off whenever i am home without the baby --
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it has become more painful to have bruising the size of dinner plate on my thigh than to have ruptured discs -
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my body is not evenly proportioned -
i am afraid not to wear it - and cause more injury -
and i am afraid to wear it and cause more pain -
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anybody here with back brake experience ?
Please help -- ,,,,,,,,,,,,,, dvora

Is it the ONLY hard shell back brace on the market? If they can't adjust it properly, something seems wrong, and perhaps a different (kind of) brace is in order.

This may take some serious homework/advocacy on your part. I've not had to deal a back brace (yet) but I've had to do battle for other medical equipment that wasn't right. I don't know this, but it may be that your spine clinic has some kind of arrangement with one particular supplier. I'd check with other medical supply houses to find out if there are any other braces. Also check with your insurance carrier; they may have other suppliers for you to check with as well.

HTH & Best Wishes,

Doc

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hi doc --
it probably isnt the only one available --
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i got it on the first visit to th e spine clinic --
after i had been examined by 3 drs --
asked a thousand questions --
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ialso have ms and hydrocephalis and fibromyalgia --
- i was there over 3 hours and my brain was in a fog --
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the very last thing they did was come in with the complicated brace -- put it on me -- hand me a video disc -- and make next appt --
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i called the office monday as soon as they opened -- thought the hematoma on my thigh was from the nerve conduction test --
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told the brace was painful - neuro told me it was not - sent me for blood clotting test --
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now i have more bruises and we figured ot it is from where the brace hits under my arms and my thighs when i am sitting --
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they told me to pad it where it is hitting me wrong - there is no other brace to give me --
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so monday i go for epidual spine shot - i will complain again - when they tell me i must just deal with it - what do i say than ?
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thanks for caring - glad you never had a brace --... Dvora

Personal opinion only: You look them square in the eye and say, politely but firmly, "I'm sorry, but that's not acceptable. I'll look into it and get back to you." You can be pleasant about it. Then go do your research (what I outlined above), gather your information/documentation, and go back and make your case.

I've had to do this many times with many doctors. As long as you remain positive, and with the attitude that you want to be proactive in your healthcare decisions, and help them help you, they'll usually listen and try to work with you. There are, of course, always exceptions. But this has been my own experience and best advice.

HTH & Best Wishes,

Doc

Usually a tech person comes to explain the brace, takes measurements, helps you get in it or at least evaluates how you get in it, and see if it needs adjustment. Usually a 2 week followup is done. I think it is very shoddy to just hand over a disc. A disc is to review at home what you have learned in the office. I do not understand why it is always the patient's fault when a device does not do its job properly. No brace should cause bruising....even if you had a bleeding problem, it is still the fault of an ill fitting brace pressing too hard on your skin.

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-update -- i finally got the courage to call the administration office -- had to talk with 4 people -- each of whom called me back --
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first they decided that my ibuphrophen was the problem -- i -said no -- i - went for blood tests as instructed --
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oh - well - we never got results --
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so - myhusband said -- w will get the results and bring them to the office --
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the tests were ok - thank g-d --
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but they said - the dr thinks we should reschedule anyway ---
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i said no - it is the brace - i am too stressed by all this non- efficiency -
i will come for the shot on monday or not at all ---
and i will bring the brace with me --
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hmm -- well we must speak to dr and get back to you later today --
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and i wait -- and i wait --
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at 4;45 i call them -- get anser machine --
the office closes at 5pm --
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at 4;57 they call -- very civil --
yes - we are calling to confirm your monday am appt -- and please bring your brace with you !!!
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i could not have gone through these calls without you giving me courage and support --
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thank you - and i thank g-d for this group -- dvora

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wanted to let you all know that i got a smaller back brace --
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i am hoping it will work with less pain -- said i really must have a hard shell -- so -- i must -
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thanks --- dvora