I hope it is OK to make a seperate post from my other one describing my case, but I need to make a quick decision.
For some unclear reason, my insurance denied coverage for Dr Potter's MRI which I am scheduled to have next Monday 5/2. The decision is under appeal, but I may not have an answer in time.
My appt with Dr C. in AZ is on 5/11, and I was really hoping to have my MRI to take with me since this will be my initial visit. DECISIONS:
1) Should I go ahead with the MRI and pay out of pocket if necessary in order to have it for the AZ trip?
2) I am only scheduled to meet DR C. at this point and do an initial eval. Are there other tests I should do while I am there?
3) I haven't booked my flight to PHX yet. Should I stay over a day in case Dr. C wants to do an injection?
4) I am not scheduled to meet with Dr Hibner's PT. Should I add that to my trip?
Help me make the most of my AZ appt
Re: Help me make the most of my AZ appt
Sabot,
If it were me, I would pay for the 3T MRI with Dr. Potter. I would definitely schedule a visit with Loretta while you are there. Dr. Hibner values her opinion, Talk to Pattie Moreno about the injection. That is usually one of the diagnostic prerequisites, unless it is contraindicated for some reason and you might as well get it out of the way while you are there. They usually try Botox as well at some point before surgery.
Don
If it were me, I would pay for the 3T MRI with Dr. Potter. I would definitely schedule a visit with Loretta while you are there. Dr. Hibner values her opinion, Talk to Pattie Moreno about the injection. That is usually one of the diagnostic prerequisites, unless it is contraindicated for some reason and you might as well get it out of the way while you are there. They usually try Botox as well at some point before surgery.
Don
Mild to moderate PN for 5 plus years, pain controlled by lyrica and opiates.
Nerve block (unguided) 9/10 Dr. Jerome Weiss - sciatica for 5 months but got numb in painful perineal/scrotal area - he diagnosed entrapment - but no more cortisone for me
Potter MRI 5/11 - rt STL entrapment of PN at Alcocks
Consult with Dr. Hibner Feb. 2012
Bilateral inguinal hernias diagnosed by dynamic ultrasound - surgery on 6/20/13
Feeling a little better, a few more months will tell
Nerve block (unguided) 9/10 Dr. Jerome Weiss - sciatica for 5 months but got numb in painful perineal/scrotal area - he diagnosed entrapment - but no more cortisone for me
Potter MRI 5/11 - rt STL entrapment of PN at Alcocks
Consult with Dr. Hibner Feb. 2012
Bilateral inguinal hernias diagnosed by dynamic ultrasound - surgery on 6/20/13
Feeling a little better, a few more months will tell
Re: Help me make the most of my AZ appt
I would definitley make an appt. with Loretta. She has so much knowledge. She was able to make a pretty good guess/opinion as to where my daughter is compressed just by the exam she did. Now I don't have an MRI to back it up , but based on symptoms her opinion makes very good sense. She is very kind, and she will speak with or fax Dr. Hibner her results right away. We had both of our appt.'s the same day, and Dr. Hibner had talked to her already before we got to his office.
There offices are about 20 min from each other, but AZ has interstates CLEARLY marked, so it was very easy find both places.
Loretta does not take ins. though, and the visit is around 275.00. But I felt it was well worth it for us. ( our ins. won't cover anything out of state)
You might call Hibner's office and ask about the extra day incase of an injection. We also met Dr. C when we saw Dr. Hibner. Very nice Dr.'s
Good luck with your travels, and wishes of safety.
MOM
There offices are about 20 min from each other, but AZ has interstates CLEARLY marked, so it was very easy find both places.
Loretta does not take ins. though, and the visit is around 275.00. But I felt it was well worth it for us. ( our ins. won't cover anything out of state)
You might call Hibner's office and ask about the extra day incase of an injection. We also met Dr. C when we saw Dr. Hibner. Very nice Dr.'s
Good luck with your travels, and wishes of safety.
MOM
Re: Help me make the most of my AZ appt
Go ahead with the 3T mri with dr. potter. please do this! No one else catches nearly as much as her, not even Dr. Kalinkin. They have a financial assistance program at the hospital fyi that is very generous.
Do see Loretta at Desert PT. No one tells you from Dr. Hibner's office to see her but it will make your visit much more productive, as Dr. C cannot palpate enough as Loretta can... neither can Dr. Hibner... it will be some guidance.
I think staying an extra day if you can swing it is wise, but may not avail anything... however... I've found being "in town" opens up a lot more doors than being away... so I say go for it. What have you got to lose.
Do see Loretta at Desert PT. No one tells you from Dr. Hibner's office to see her but it will make your visit much more productive, as Dr. C cannot palpate enough as Loretta can... neither can Dr. Hibner... it will be some guidance.
I think staying an extra day if you can swing it is wise, but may not avail anything... however... I've found being "in town" opens up a lot more doors than being away... so I say go for it. What have you got to lose.
-straddle fall age 4-7 w/bleeding labia, tampons hurt in teens, papsmere started annoying pelvic 'tingling' & pne in 02
-obturator surgery w/ Filler in 05 (useless, created sciatic & plantar fascitis pain)
-TIR surgery w/ Bautrant in 08 and vestibulectomy in 08 in France (vest. removed pain w/intercourse, pain w/sitting increased post surgery)
-chronic fatigue & food allergies/migraines (gluten, milk) from pain meds in 08
-want a life back. I'm 34 w/8+ years of pain
-obturator surgery w/ Filler in 05 (useless, created sciatic & plantar fascitis pain)
-TIR surgery w/ Bautrant in 08 and vestibulectomy in 08 in France (vest. removed pain w/intercourse, pain w/sitting increased post surgery)
-chronic fatigue & food allergies/migraines (gluten, milk) from pain meds in 08
-want a life back. I'm 34 w/8+ years of pain
Re: Help me make the most of my AZ appt
Well it's down to the wire and no word on my MRI appeal. I don't think i can swing the out of pocket for the MRI, so I will wait on getting it until i'm approved. If that happens before May11th, I may try to blast up to NYC and back so that Dr. C. will have the report when I see him. Loretta is booked, but I'm staying an extra day just in case at this point. I'm giving BCBS until noon tomorrow before I pull the plug on my Potter MRI for Monday.