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MsAbsynthe
New Student/Teachers Apprentice
Posts: 17
(1/13/05 7:14 am)
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 Possible Cervical Stenosis with Myelopathy with me.
After running around and helping everyone, my pain has gone out of control. What I've not told any of you is that on top of FM, CMP and Chronic Migraines, I've been suffering still unexplained neck pain, headaches (different from the migraines), and most important, my Right hand and arm have been escalating in their loss of power. Down to 10 lbs of strength in my hand, was 40 lbs last year. I'm ambidextrous, and need both hands, though I draw with my Left hand.
Cervical Stenosis, with Myelopathy in my case, is the only physical condition that mimics FM so well, that it's hard to diagnose initially, until symptoms such as: I can no longer undo buttons; experienced 2 rounds of Transient Paraplegia in the last 3 weeks (the numbing of all 4 limbs level); can no longer tandem walk (put one foot directly in front of the other), and small things that just add up.
I am in the critical stage now, and am being rushed to the MRI, and am desperately not only looking for the correct Neurosurgeon, but also scrambling to scrape up $900 to continue my health insurance (boyfriend was fired 3 months ago, and it's ending 2/1/05). We are both unemployed, doctors say I'm now completelye disabled, but I will need this surgery, which runs $30,000 - $100,000, depending on how many discs have to be fused.
Basically, the Slip & Fall I endured, 7/05/03, at a nightclub in LA, (all dressed up in platforms), and I slipped on oil on their cement dance floor. I landed on the back of my: skull, neck, spine, right shoulder, and left hip. It was faster & harder than any of us imagined, because I had my backpack of my sketchbook on my right shoulder.
Yep, they said I BROKE my neck! I'm not surprised or depressed, just trying to be logical to get everything done before the end of the month, by the best doctors; no other insurance will cover this for 2 years, so I must put up my father's collectables, and/or sell my artwork, just about anything within reason, to save my arms & legs.
I was referred by the Christopher Reeves Institute to a wonderful doctor, but I have to wait until 2/7/05, and I was told that's too long, this is now an Emergency. So, everyday I'm making calls and researching, to find out what to do, before my insurance lapses.
All I can do is try and make some money some how, and try and cover the $900 per month for the insurance, until I have the surgery & after care, then switch over to the other insurance. Then the 2 year wait will be fine. How much they fuse will depend on how well my vertebrae have healed, and how many discs are damaged.
We know by the 4th & 5th finger that C6 is impinging on the nerve root, and C5 popped out of place when I went to the dentist last week, and causes my right thumb to drop plates all last year, and now unable to unbutton my coat - when it was raining Friday, my boyfriend had to undo my coat, no matter how hard I tried, I wound up crying, and asking him to do it. He just looked at me, and said I was reaching for the buttons wrong (stupid right handed coat!). I told him, of course, the fingers can't do what the brain says anymore. Monday, they forgot within 10 minutes how to shift the shifter on the auto trans in the car. I had to stop driving my own car 6 weeks ago, because it's a stick, when I felt I had become dangerous after my 2nd Trip & Fall, 11/23/04. That apparently finished the neck off, from me twisting & turning violently, trying not to land on my head! I landed on my left shoulder, and it was considered a total injury across my body.
I'm trying to obtain help from the comics & Sci fi/fantasy community, once I have that MRI - I need that, so they will pitch in. I have helped others in the past, and now I need help.
In the meantime, I can only work in 15 minute increments, even on the computer, because I crane my neck a little, which is enough to cause 7/10 pain within 15 minutes, and 10/10 in 30 minutes.
I'm not sure all what has happened, but I want my life back, and in my heart, I KNOW surgery, because of my losing strength in my arm, and now my legs, is the only way to keep me from becoming a Quadraplegic. To be able to draw and write, such simple things, without pain and numbness, and even drive my little car again, just would be such a miracle to me!
You all have been a great help before, so it's not so difficult to ask.
I need prayers and blessings, to help give me the strength to move fast, and help to make things move fast as they need to, to go through the surgery so I can finally heal, for once and for all!
I was born 8/03/62, about 6:30 PM PST, in Anaheim, around Disneyland. I'm not that far away now, Harbor & Chapman intersection, a little South of Disneyland, and 1/2 block to the East.
With Much Love and Hugs for all,
Julie
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narshaadha
Moderator
Posts: 507
(1/13/05 1:35 pm)
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Re: Possible Cervical Stenosis with Myelopathy with me.
You have probably been asked this before, and I am sorry to ask it again if you have, but since you fell at a nightclub because of oil on their floor, wuldn't they have to pay for your medical bills? And maybe they would be willing to do it out of court to avoid all that long drawn out stuff? Just a thought.....
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lauriex
The gentle hearted
Posts: 199
(1/13/05 9:12 pm)
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Re: Possible Cervical Stenosis with Myelopathy with me.
aww, sweety.
l know we haven't had a chance to really talk or anything, but l'm wishing the best for you right now.. and narsh'sright. if you fell at a nightclub, sue em. what with the oil on the floor, l think they deserve to pay at least some of it... anyway, keep us posted when you can, okay? or at least, get ur boyfriend to let us know how ure doin if u can't get to a pc... and dont strain yourself.
~thinking of you
laurie.
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Akuma Kijin
Defender Beast and Fowl
Posts: 153
(1/13/05 9:28 pm)
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Re: Possible Cervical Stenosis with Myelopathy with me.
if there is anything any of us here can do for you besides just prayrs and candels (witch you will have in abundance) all you need to do is ask. I am 1000% positive anybody here would help you out in any way they could. All the love and energy I can spare on on there way.
~Sam
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shadeaux63
Keeper of dreams
Posts: 1057
(1/14/05 1:29 am)
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Re: Possible Cervical Stenosis with Myelopathy with me.
I agree that because your current problem started with that night club,and they are obviously responsible,you might want to at least talk to a few lawyers,and find out what you can do.
Other than that, like Akuma said, I'm sure candles will be lit, in abundance.You have all the energy I can send.And I'm sorry you're going through all this right now.
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MsAbsynthe
New Student/Teachers Apprentice
Posts: 16
(1/16/05 6:15 am)
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MRIs for Cervical & Lumbar done, waiting for results.
I do so much appreciate the candles and prayers!
Yes, I have lawyers. They have refused to settle out of court, and we now have a court date. They also were required by law to have Liability insurance, and they DID NOT have it.
I am waiting for my MRIs, and managed to talk my favorite doctor into ordering the lumbar MRI, just to cover all my bases.
I'm struggling to pay the $900 premium for my insurance per month, so I can try and handle the surgeries that will be possibly needed.
Today, my left hand, my drawing hand, went numb. Towards night, after much traction on my neck on my part, I managed to get the numbness down to the pinky. I was so upset I tried to "wake it up" by slapping it, to no avail.
The US is behind on the real surgical technique I need, which is looking like cervical disc replacement; I do not wish to have a disc fusion, as the lady at the MRI place had one already, in front of me, and needs two more! It just deteriorates above and below the discs, because the shock is distributed hard to them. She told me, try anything, before having the fusion. I told her about the artificial discs; she said go for it, anyway I could, as she had tears welling up, and 3 little girls grabbing onto her, and the poor woman couldn't be very old, but looked old, from all the pain she was in. I felt for her.
Artificial discs have been used in Europe and in Australia, for 15 years, with a higher success rate than fusions. Of course, there are some instances where a fusion has to take place, but those are few. Also, recovery is faster. Here's the link to the place I'm wanting to go, if I must have disc surgery: www.getadr.com/stenum_hospital.htm
It costs 1/4 of a disc fusion in the US, and is the hospital that has done all the ground breaking surgeries, and they are very efficient and fast, usually around an hour. A double disc replacement runs about $24,000. And the discs last 25 - 40 years, with much fewer problems than fusion, and back to walking the same week.
But if the surgery needed is not disc replacement, then I will be happy, and have the less invasive procedure; trying to be brave, and cover all my bases. The place in Germany does accept many of the major insurance companies, including Blue Cross, so I am hopeful, if it comes to that, with my insurance company.
I do appreciate all your prayers and candles, it's always the darkest before the light, and it's dark right now, and I'm scared, but trying to be brave.
{{{hugs}}}
Julie
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sjay66
New Student/Teachers Apprentice
Posts: 7
(1/17/05 10:58 pm)
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Re: MRIs for Cervical & Lumbar done, waiting for results
 sending you healing thoughts Julie, hope you fell better soon.
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Astara1 
Moderator
Posts: 571
(1/18/05 9:42 am)
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Re: MRIs for Cervical & Lumbar done, waiting for results
Sending healing energy to you....
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Akuma Kijin
Defender Beast and Fowl
Posts: 163
(1/20/05 7:31 am)
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Re: MRIs for Cervical & Lumbar done, waiting for results
Here is hopeing that the night club has to pay for at least some of it. I wish you the best of luck with the results and if it comes to it with the disk operation. All the light and healing we have.
~Sam
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MsAbsynthe
New Student/Teachers Apprentice
Posts: 17
(1/22/05 4:41 am)
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 Results in; next, taking MRI film to Neurosurgeon
Before I post the report, let me explain something - I'm happy to know it's not psychological, though still includes Fibromyalgia. I just happen to have the Lottery Ticket from hell. Best I can figure, the FM is acting as an amplifyer, and warning about the Neurological problems.
Some of the new FM findings are pointing to Neurological problems, ie, Cerebral Spinal Fluid Flow being messed with. I have to agree with that, because there are times you can fry eggs on the back of my neck.
The Neurological problems ebb and flow, and are independent of the FM problems. I can tell the difference, because FM affects the muscle and trigger points. What I've been having more problems with is higher Motor control functions.
For instance, I have been walking into walls, door frames, and things like that. Blacked out from the headaches, but since that was a year ago, I am not being restricted on my driving anymore. But I break things all the time, and for the first time yesterday, my boyfriend saw what my hands do, but I wasn't alone this time!
Let me clarify something: I'm PLEASED that stuff has shown up, I'm NOT losing my mind!
But I do wierd things, like when I'm lying down, and turn my head to the right, my right eye tears! But when I turn to the left, nothing.
I did something scary, and called one of the top Neurosurgeons in this country of FM & related Neuro problems, Dr. Heffez directly (I was scared out of my wits). I left a message, and he called me back! After hearing my symptoms, he told me after receiving my MRIs, to call the head of UCLA Neurosurgery, Dr. Batzdorf. I have spoken with his assistant twice, and after seeing my MRI report, and I'm now in the middle of making an appointment with one of two Neurosurgeons he suggested, I feel better.
I'm pushing to get into the Neurosurgeon fast, before I lose my insurance (We are too broke to keep it).
I so much appreciate the moral support, the prayers, the spells, the candles and all. It is helping me stay calm, and stop being angry.
MRI OF THE LUMBAR SPINE:
IMPRESSION:
1. Some Hyperlordosis, rule out muscle spasm.
2. Findings compatible with small hemangioma of T12 (see Findings).
3. Mild diffuse disc desiccation/dehydration and minimal Osteophytic Degenerative Spondylosis.
4. Approximately 1.0 mm BULGE of L3-L4 through L5-S1 discs.
MRI OF THE CERVICAL SPINE:
IMPRESSION:
1. Some Hyperlordosis, rule out muscle spasm.
2. Mild diffuse disc desiccation/dehydration with slight disc space narrowing in the Mid-to-Lower Cervical Spine as above.
3. No HNP is seen. Mild, about 1.0 mm BULGE of C3-C4 through C7-T1.
4. Mild Hypertrophic Degenerative Spondylosis.
Note: Hyperlordosis is too much curve, lol. Probably from me being a gymnast, through High School. What I do know is that abdominal crunches should help my stomach, but the exercises for my neck are causing my arms to go numb.
Explanation of a few things on report: There is a benign tumor on T12; that is one of the reasons I need to see the Neurosurgeon, my Chiro and I both feel it's causing me real pain, as when he asked me where I hurt in lower back, I put my finger exactly on it.
I DO have mild Cervical stenosis, and also on the Lumbar. I DO have mild herniated discs. The doctors dismissed it all. THIS is what I thought was important: nearly ALL of the discs are messed up, why can't they cause me pain, when you add up ALL the 1.0 mm, times 7, or whatever?
Tumor may or may not have to be removed, depends on what Neurosurgeon says, and proximity to spinal cord.
I did show the MRI to my Chiropractor, and the poor fellow almost had a heart attack, when he saw a bulge in the spinal cord, above C1. He feels that's significant, and as soon as I have an appointment, they will immediately fax over a referral, to keep costs down on my copayment!
I'm working on staying positive, I finally feel that I'm in some of the best hands in the world; the correct hands, for my problems.
Right now, you all being there is what I need, thank you!
{{{hugs and love}}}
Julie
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lauriex
The gentle hearted
Posts: 202
(1/22/05 5:11 am)
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Re: Results in; next, taking MRI film to Neurosurgeon
hey julie
l'm glad to know you've got a little bit of something positive going on right now... hopefully these specialists can help you out, hun. in the meantime, continue what you've been doing; think positive, and know we're thinking of you also. All of us, really. Good luck, hun, n keep us informed, kay?
laurie.
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Gaia Angel 
ezOP
Posts: 2329
(1/23/05 8:46 am)
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Re: Results in; next, taking MRI film to Neurosurgeon
Aw julie! Know I have been reading and sending love and light...I just keep forgetting to post it! Wishing you wonders love!
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MsAbsynthe
New Student/Teachers Apprentice
Posts: 18
(1/26/05 4:05 am)
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Neurosurgeon Appointment
I really appreciate all your help! I'm concentrating on taking care of myself right now, and trying to cross all the "t"s and dot the "i"s and such, and making sure I have all paperwork filled out correctly.
I have an appointment, for friday with the #2 Neurosurgeon in the West Coast! Just barely got in, and I'm thankful for that. #1 didn't have an opening for 2 more months. This guy has an office with the Professor of Neurosurgery, who is aware how Fibromyalgia and Neurological problems can go hand & hand.
I do hope he figures out everything wrong, so it can all be fixed, and I can reclaim my life, or at least kill the tumor, and stop the pain associated with that. FM seems insignificant to that.
I do remember what it felt like to be without pain, a few months before the accident when I picked up my car to restore. I had lots of energy, and could work all day, and still draw at night, and go work on my car all week end. I hope to regain all that.
For now, walking on the treadmill for 6 minutes seems like a miracle, because 2 weeks ago it made me dizzy and breathless. I lost all my muscle tone, and it's going to be 2 months before I'm at least up to something resembling normal, and also working on bone strengthening.
Doctors told me not to gain any weight...hahahah, that's funny!
{{{hugs & love}}}
Julie
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Akuma Kijin
Defender Beast and Fowl
Posts: 164
(1/30/05 8:11 am)
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Re: Neurosurgeon Appointment
With any kinda luck you have already passed through the darkest part of this whole ordeal. Lighting candels for ya, and rooting for ya all the way.
~Sam
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MsAbsynthe
New Student/Teachers Apprentice
Posts: 19
(2/8/05 12:16 am)
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2/07/05 update; shoulder lipoma removed
I saw the Neurosurgeon, he was a disappointment more in demeanor and attitude than anything. Spent 5 minutes with me, then resumed chasing the interns down the hall? VERY unprofessional, IMHO!
He said the 8 damaged and degenerating discs are definitely contributing to my condition, but then sai, oh well, ya got Fibro outta it. All we can do is give you Epidurals in neck & lumbar (my take is, "have a cookie"), with cortisone injected into my spinal cord; ah, NO!
Basically, he said I had the best MRIs all day, but he could see I was hurting, but it fell withing regular contraints of normalcy.
I did finally have that fatty tumor, the lipoma on the front of my right shoulder removed, it was about 3 oz. large, sub-dermally. I had two surgeries this month (other was tooth extraction, grr). So I was on Keflex for 3 weeks. I felt better towards the end of last week, and the "sunburned" feeling and muscle cramps have gone about away, over the last few days.
THIS is what I've been working towards, now I just hope it stays that way! 3 days, and counting. Being cautious, and trying not to over do it, and staying within my limits.
Thank you all for prayers, now I just hope I can stay this way!
{{{hugs}}}
Julie
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sjay66
New Student/Teachers Apprentice
Posts: 12
(2/8/05 5:58 am)
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Re: 2/07/05 update; shoulder lipoma removed
So glad you are doing better Julie, don't over do things though and rest up plenty
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lauriex
The gentle hearted
Posts: 209
(2/9/05 10:22 pm)
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Re: 2/07/05 update; shoulder lipoma removed
hey julie.
l know l haven't posted in a while, but lm hopin everything's still goin well with ya... anyway, good luck, and keep it up.. sometimes you can do more for yourself (in some ways, anyway) than the doctors can... *wishing you luck*
laurie.
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MsAbsynthe
New Student/Teachers Apprentice
Posts: 20
(2/10/05 3:17 am)
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Working at doing better
Thanks!
I'm just working at not overdoing it. I've been on a total health overhaul, including diet, exercise (still pretty weak). Neck & spine still hurt, but I expected that. Endurance is what I need now.
I'm angry with the doctors, but that's another story...I walked out of their office on Monday...I felt blackmailed, and rather than sit there and become more angry, and the office people (who just COULD NOT fill out the forms for my insurance correctly), I decided to not feed them for awhile, and take a break from them all. How dare they threaten to make me PAY for their ineptitude in filling out forms? I warned them NOT to fill out "secondary insurance" or my insurance wouldn't pay; she said, oh, no we didn't. I held it up to her face, and she scowled, and brushed me off. Then I pointed out I was in therapy for 11/23/04 injury, and they put down '03 (before I had insurance, duh!). And they dared to blame me for their idiot mistakes, I told them what they did wrong, they got catty with me (office personnel), and I said, well resubmit it. Well, I think I need new doctors office, with that attitude - if I can find them.
The forms came back saying I wasn't with the insurance company, because they messed up. How is that MY fault?
So, I'm just doing things myself a few weeks, I think a Gym membership in a pool may do me better now.
The real problem is that the original doctor who diagnosed me died - and he was the other partner. I've had to "manhandle" the office into doing what I wanted, after they put part of my treatment off for 4 months, which I needed 4 MONTHS ago.
Well, I guess they don't need the money anymore.
{{{hugs}}}
Julie
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Akuma Kijin
Defender Beast and Fowl
Posts: 166
(2/10/05 7:50 am)
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Re: Working at doing better
I hate docters like that. I've had to deal with stupid doctors and staff before and when you in pain that is the last thing you wanna do. I hope that you can get fealing better soon. where praying for ya.
~Sam
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MsAbsynthe
Given a Place at the table
Posts: 24
(4/24/05 5:32 am)
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 Doing better
Well, the FM pain did back waay down, so the Sunburn feeling below the skin is doing much, much better to where I don't feel it, yay!
I still get tired, still sugar crash, AND I won my Unemployment case!
Next is to file for Disability, as per the Judge's orders - I don't want to, but I lost my health insurance, and do need health care.
Other upscale news - they have a new thing, called a "Cyber Knife" at a few colleges in the US, that they use to kill the tumors like I have in my spine, without cutting! IT's based on the Gamma Knife they use to kill brain tumors that are inoperable, so I'm very, very hopeful!
It was a friend who had a brain tumor that gave me the idea, so I figured something like that must exist for my situation, and does!
Still need some sort of paying job, but I've redone some characters for DC comics, that haven't seen the light of day since WW2, and I've revamped them into the 21st Century, and I hope the Editor is happy! Took me a month, I had to buy obscure materials on the History of Comics from that Era, but now I feel I can handle any character, lol.
I'm also inking a tryout for a friend, but it's a tough one, argh! I have to start out all over again, because I fell off the radar, over the past 5 years. Of course, I get the HARDEST penciler to ink in History, lol.
I also had a minor accident 2 weeks ago, when my car decided to not turn off the radiator fan, and I opened the rear hatch, and while I was rummaging for my socket set, I heard a "whoosh!" and it was coming down! Only had time to reposition my head, and all 35 lbs hit the flat of my head, rather than the top, so it still HURT! Put me into a flare, and made my neck muscles bunch up a bit, but starting to release now.
Thank you all for your good thoughts! I'm doing so much better.
{{{hugs}}}
Julie
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lauriex
The gentle hearted
Posts: 235
(4/24/05 10:25 pm)
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Re: Doing better
aww... l'm glad to hear the good news, julie..sounds like you're doin a lot better than you were a couple months ago.... good luck with the next roadblocks, and disability case... and keep us posted, kay?
laurie.
ps, be careful...
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