Hi all,

I am looking for information on a doctor whom a new lady described in her post in Santa Monica. No doctor name was given. I have PM'd the lady but am really anxious to have the information.

My specialist suggested that if there is treatment available in the US to go and get it there!!!!!!!!! Ahhhh hello good idea eh?? (sorry I am canadian)

She has also suggested that I may have scar tissue from the original surgery causing my pain ahhhhhhhhhhhh more hello!!! so I am searching for the light at the end of the tunnel. I did find this
http://www.nervemed.com/nervedisorders.html
not sure if this is the place or if anybody else knows of it or has been to see this guy.

I am hopeful, but doubt that Canada has the imaging technology as the usa does to see nerves and what is wrong with them.....however in looking at the fee schedule I am a little daunted.

The following represents a summary of some of our most frequently ordered procedures, and their estimates costs:
Open MR-guided Injection Piriformis / Pudendal: $2900 to $3900
Open MR-guided Injection TOS or Scalene: $3500 to $5000
Open MR-guided Injection Spine: $1900 to $3250
Piriformis Surgery: $8000 to $12,000
Brachial Plexus Surgery: $15,750 to $20,000
Re-Operative Spine Surgery: $20,000 to $35,000

oh well life is not worth living like this all the time.....there has to be hope. I have to believe that or why else continue.
you guys know what I mean right?????????????
Am I off my rocker or what????

love and hugs,
Victoria

dr. scott werden is the one the best known for imaging studies. He is on th4e board of the american tos society

see a page about his imaging

http://www.tosmri.com/

Gosh. The $$ is scary not to mention the invasive procedures!! The more doctor's opinions you get the better right?? In your shoes, I would go the distance to at least see what the imaging shows. (( What is Open MR-guided Injection? )) The more you know that better doctors can fix and many doctors don't like to recommend surgery as a fix-all.
Sorry if I didn't address your concern(?) I think I'm just feelin opinionated today :P Please keep us posted!!!

Hi Thursday,
I love opinions !!

The needle guided imagery is so that the doctor can put the needle into the correct muscle (scalene) and inject an anesthetic or botox. 1st one for diagnosis second one for treatment sake. I understand it is really difficult to image or even feel your middle scalene so he does the guided by MRI technique to know he is in the right place. hope that answers the question !
Hell of expensive but to me....looking for help it doesn't seem like a lot....only if our dollar was better again!!! LOL

love and hugs,
Victoria

Thanks for teaching me something new

Vic- I wonder if talking to the doc (maybe on an initial consult visit or something) would help with the $$. maybe they can work out a discount or a payment plan or all of the above. I know that with my botox injections, my PM doc wrote off the first 4 after insurance took 10 months to deny them, and we agreed that I would pay a discounted rate going forward.

Hi, I'm new to your community and may be sending my reply -- maybe not just right. However click on Title up Top and it may help you. Best of luck. I have the same problem as you-- have not found relief or help yet-- the $$$ is a big problem for me as well. I want to take this time to Thank you and the rest of the Community memembers for information they have given. Dove 1927

Hey,

Glad to see you post. I was worried about ya.

I had Botox in my scalenes, bilaterally. It helped me. I did get a discounted rate of 400 - 600 a session. I had three. I got relief. I did not have any jaw popping for about two or three weeks. My therapist knows that too. I did experience eyelid twitching. A few years later I Googled Botox +scalenes and found a side effect was droopy eyelids. My doctor just poked around at my scalenes till I flinched and stuck it there.

I also have cervical disc issues. I had epidurals X3 that helped me a lot. Early on I was afraid of NEEDLES. Not anymore. They have helped me too.

My arms killed me, weak and exhausted by activity, I have gotten a lot of my strength back. I rebound so much better now. Big difference. I believe you can get help too.

The fees do seem rather high. That don't include the doctor's visit for the order, travel expenses, although you may want to check out a Ronald McDonald House. Seems like they make money off our misery. Registration, co-pay, no pay and not enough pay. I've paid a loooooottttt. Making that money to pay for those things caused me significant pain too. double-edged sword. I would do it again, though. p

I would check out Cleveland Clinic. Maybe it's close enough to venture over to America. I've traveled 3 hours to get good help, even though it caused me pain. Dr. Atasoy was worth the trip. He helped me in so many ways. Thumb, shoulder (injections didn't help but he tried), neck (referred me to ortho and ortho done current MRIs and gave a referral for the epidurals. Not to say if I were willing I could have gotten the same result earlier in my voyage. I have inquired about brachial plexus injections, as they were recommended by several doctors. Those seems to be a higher risk and not many do them.

I do think you have to try something else, something more, something different. Keep trying, yes. I'm doing so much better lately. I hold my breath too, but I'm doing much better.

LED and infrared lights gave me a lot of help lately.

Not necessarily all the money you have should be spent on diagnostic testing. It's still not a fix. Sounds like you may have a ways to go, though.

I do recall those days, but I don't want to. they were really bad. and no, life don't seem like living in a 24/7 intolerable and irretractable pain scenario. It is bad. I am sorry you have to deal with so much pain.

From the website they seem to at least appear to know what they're talking about. I think if you can afford it, I'd definitely go for an evaluation & go from there.

Hey

Still thinking...

There are a lot of inpatient pain management facilities that are equipped to do all types of MR flourscopic imaging and injection therapies. It is like the one stop shop when you're at that point. They do counseling, diet, PT/OT, meds, and many other specialties under one group setting. With a little research, I'm sure you could find one that you like. It's not forever.

I hear it is expensive but many times worth the money spent. I'm sure Cleveland Clinics in Ohio would have that in the area.

If you must travel, get the most for your miles and money.