I'm Gettin To Dang Old for this Stuff

[slonezp]

I became disabled in 2012. Destroyed my left shoulder. I'm too stupid to accept my body's limitations much of the time. I do what I can and don't do what I can't. 

[newbiedmv]

On 10/13/2021 at 4:17 PM, Captain Phil said:

About twenty years ago I noticed I had pain in my hips and legs when standing. I first noticed it when fishing, then it crept into my everyday life.   It wasn't shooting pain, but a heaviness like I was carrying around an extra 200 pounds.  Ten years ago I went to an orthopedic surgeon and after a MRI was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal.  Being in my sixties at the time, I was told to wait to see how it progressed.  Two years ago it got so bad I had to hang on the sink when I made the morning coffee.  All my activities were affected.  I sold my boat. I couldn't work on or even wash my own car.  I couldn't stand anywhere without looking for a chair.  I took so much Advil, that I burned up my stomach lining.  I had no life ahead of me and I was sure I would be in a wheel chair soon.  I'm 74 and didn't want to end up like that.

 

I had TV surgeons tell me they could fix my problem with a laser.   These quacks are out to get your money.  If medicare won't pay for it, don't do it.    I went to the best Orthopedic surgeon in Florida and on March 1st of this year I had major surgery.  My surgeon performed a laminectomy and fused four vertebra. It was the first major surgery I had in my life.  My leg pain was instantly gone.  It has taken this long for my back to heal completely, but I can walk, fish and stand for over an hour.  I bought a new bass boat and am back fishing 2-3 days a week.  I am not supposed to lift anything heavy, but I was able to change the water pump on my 1955 Ford without pain.   This whole experience has changed my life.   Instead of having nothing to look forward to, I am looking forward to the future.  Getting old not for wimps.  I don't know what is ahead of me, but I know I can deal with it.

I wish they would do that in MD. Bottom 2 disks herniated, bulged, dryed up. State law says no meds, docs to afraid to do anything.

So I wear a brace most of the time. It stinks.

[Captain Phil]

8 hours ago, newbiedmv said:

I wish they would do that in MD. Bottom 2 disks herniated, bulged, dryed up. State law says no meds, docs to afraid to do anything.

So I wear a brace most of the time. It stinks.

 

I did a lot of research before I had my surgery.   Back surgery is an art.   Everyone's body and physical condition is different.   Seek out the most experienced back surgeon in your area.  Don't choose one from a TV ad or because a friend told you about one.   In all of Florida, I ended up with only three choices.  All three were from nationally known orthopedic hospitals.  One of them wasn't taking any new patients. It took me six months to get an appointment.  It was six years between my first MRI and my surgery.   They tried epidermal shots with no effect.  I tried physical therapy with the same result. Drugs don't do anything good.  They mask the problem and create new problems of their own.  I am still working on getting my stomach straighten out six years later. Thank God I had good medical insurance.  I just received the final statement for my operation and hospital stay.   The total bill was an unbelievable $460,000!    Between Medicare and my supplemental insurance, they actually received about $30K.   I paid nothing.  I am extremely pleased with my result.  My hope is to be fishing when I'm in my eighties. 

[newbiedmv]

Thanks...I'm stuck. Over 10 yrs now,Dozens of mri's  ct scans ,35(yes 35 min)cortisone shots,PT, water PT. Shots produced super fast cataracts,  blind for a few months, dependent on the two top strength pain stuff, off for 4 years now, saw 7 surgeons. Finally one said the odds were 0% 5 year success rate. I might have a chance in 10 years when I'm 67. Problem is it's the last disk, no way to really get to it, started 13 yrs ago. Now since on Medicare no one will talk to me. I need the supplemental insurance after 65

Bummer as if it was the next one up it would have been an outpatient procedure and I'd still be working.

[Captain Phil]

18 hours ago, newbiedmv said:

Thanks...I'm stuck. Over 10 yrs now,Dozens of mri's  ct scans ,35(yes 35 min)cortisone shots,PT, water PT. Shots produced super fast cataracts,  blind for a few months, dependent on the two top strength pain stuff, off for 4 years now, saw 7 surgeons.

 

Sounds like you have been through a lot.  I have spoken with others who have similar stories. My condition was caused primarily by a build up of arthritis. It wasn't an easy fix, but compared to some I got off easy so far.  If I could give any younger person some advice it would be to buy the best supplemental insurance policy you can find. When you are young you don't think you will need insurance.  When you are old, you will spend much of your time at the doctors.  Medicare doesn't pay for everything.  

[Dwight Hottle]

2 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

 

Sounds like you have been through a lot.  I have spoken with others who have similar stories. My condition was caused primarily by a build up of arthritis. It wasn't an easy fix, but compared to some I got off easy so far.  If I could give any younger person some advice it would be to buy the best supplemental insurance policy you can find. When you are young you don't think you will need insurance.  When you are old, you will spend much of your time at the doctors.  Medicare doesn't pay for everything.  

 

Very good advice. I went through an extremely expensive medical ordeal in 2015-2016 and my Medicare supplemental insurance plan F paid for absolutely every medical bill. I never paid a dime. I never asked for any preapprovals or limited my scope seeking the best medical treatment anywhere in the country for a life or death diagnosis. 

[newbiedmv]

I agree. In this state there is no law saying under 65 have access to supplemental insurance if your disabled.

Only one policy $20,000/year with a $10,000 deductible  is offered.

I have 8 more years to go.

[HaydenS]

Getting old sounds horrible!  No offense 

[river-rat]

On 10/18/2021 at 7:20 PM, HaydenS said:

Getting old sounds horrible!  No offense 

 

It darn sure beats the alternative!