I am still making calls, trying to get pass the nurse gate guards who protect the doctors from folks who’s insurance is paying low for services. Contractual right-off’s they call it. Instead of making $67,800 for 3 visits that include a pain pump install and permanent attachment of the catheter to the spot found best durning trial, then many note that it requires a third visit to actually put medication in the pumps reservoir before turning it on. This may vary between doctor or even regional best practices. My spinal cord stimulator really pissed me off after a 60-70% relief during the trial, Doc placed new leads (Electrodes) in new spot to get 100%. It backfired as it went down my legs into the heels. I told my GP. I told my 84 yr old surgeon that as 5,6 or 7 YouTube videos had a Dr or patient tell they story of bring the patient awake in OR to have the device manufacture Rep turn on the Bluetooth and produce some signals. At this point they would ask “Where do you feel stimulation?” This helps locate the right spot or wrong! Otherwise to me, it guessing! It is “Russian Rue-let”! Put one bullet in, spin the cylinder and pull the trigger! Let’s see what happens… This approach is stupid because it’s guessing. My Dr woke me on the 3rd & last OR visit, and proceeded letting me feel the pain of cutting, stitching and them talking. He did understand and asked me. I explained it to him yet he look at me like I had 3 heads!
A trial for a pain pump should use the location of the highest lumbar pain, info from the Dr who did 3 epidurals. Do they talk to each other or are they above consulting with a younger less experienced Dr who is not an equal. Why would I listen to a patient? They aren’t doctors, they are stupid. Just fingerprints with a wallet. The doctor runs off to his office to do what, watch a football game or check his investments portfolio as his $8,000 a week check clears the bank.
They would take a senior on Medicare as it pays just enough to cover cost, but not enough to make a Volvo payment and golf club greens fees! So, they sit and wait for a paying customer including workers comp as they pay more than insurance on Medicare. Meanwhile I am in pain every day, all night long and can’t function. Taking a shower and standing in my closet just to pick clothes is painful and exhausting! It’s like having a 100 pound backpack full of metal led!
I want a pleasant life. I want to do physical things. I would like to jog or run around my block(s)! Not grab a cane because I need to use the restroom. What if my doctor had this happen instantly one day and couldn’t stand over a patient in OR? Then what? Would one of their doctor buddy’s help fixed them up? Most likely. In the meantime my quality of life is 2, not 10!