1. < Neuropathy

Why test for neuropathy if there is no cure?

Posted by mechanicjesus @mechanicjesus, Oct 12, 2020

I was diagnosed a little over 2 years ago by my PCP I do have RA and when I would tell my ruhematologist about the pain in my feet he would just blow it off. So went to my PCP and he listened, looked at my blood work from ruhematologist and said it's neuropathy we thought maybe trigged by the biologic I was on at the time. He started me on Gabapentin and at my next ra appt we stopped that biologic and started a different one. Silly me I assumed this would clear up and go away after that. Fast forward to now things have progressed enough that I use a wheelchair when not at home and am on permenant disability now. I read these posts and a lot of you know a whole bunch about your PN but the one common theme I see is there is no fix. Somethings help some with the pain others are just a distraction but bottom line nothing gets better. So why go thru all tests, trouble and money to identify all the details when they don't help?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

mechanicjesus | @mechanicjesus | Nov 14, 2020
In reply to @avmcbellar "Hi Chris @artscaping I am in the process of buying VR goggles to help with neuroplasticity...." + (show)
@avmcbellar

Hi Chris @artscaping I am in the process of buying VR goggles to help with neuroplasticity. Thank you for sharing your positive experience with VR. I understand motion sickness may occur at first with the goggles but can be overcome. I will be eager to share my experience using the goggles with neuroplasticity as directed on the website VRxTHERAPY.org Thank you again. Wish you well. Toni

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I purchased used oculus go about a week ago to play with and see if it helps. So far I would say it does bring the pain down while using it but it doesn't take long to come back up afterward.

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sunnyflower | @sunnyflower | Nov 17, 2020
In reply to @pfbacon "Because: Doctors now insist on getting test results before they give medicine. My GP referred me..." + (show)
@pfbacon

Because: Doctors now insist on getting test results before they give medicine. My GP referred me to several doctors who wouldn't even give me an appointment until I had gone to their lab and taken tests. They say it's "HIPPA Protocol". I say that they are running me around to every department they can and billing my insurance company and Medicare for as much money as they can possibly get out of me. I am looking for another GP but many of them have left this area because ... well ... they had integrity; they wanted to 'heal the sick'. The others are in a hospital "system". i haven't found any sole practitioners who take Medicare here (Sussex County, Delmarva Peninsula, Delaware) Peggy

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Hey Peggy, Wow, I can't believe doctors can refuse Medicare patients. Is it legal? It's wrong on every level. I am so sorry to hear about your plight! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I am in an HMO for years and love it. I 'm in the Medicare Advantage plan. Have you spoken with a licensed health insurance person? I got this number from Dr. Phil today: 1-800-815-9068. They should be doing the work, not you. They find you the best plan for your needs and I would think they would know what is available to you in your area.
Keep me posted. These people aren't biased.
Warmest regards, Sunnyflower. 🙏🌹

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1 reply
steeldove | @steeldove | Nov 17, 2020

@pfbacon @sunnyflower I stay with Original Medicare because I travel from Springfield, missouri, to Mayo Clinic for everything but the most routine stuff, and a medicare Advantage plan wouldn't cover Mayo treatment. My priority is excellent medical care, not eyeglasses, dental and Silver Sneakers. Think about your healthcare priorities before choosing a plan.

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1 reply
Barry Sheales | @user_che214927 | Nov 17, 2020

Hi @steeldovel, you had better come live here in Ausralia. I have ou Medicare Policy, Medibank with extras. 3 years ago I had a massive surgery on my hip and pelvis and hospital in a private hospital with a private room of my choice, with a specialist surgeon of my choice. The food is prepared by qualified chefs, who cater for any diet including religious diets, including a glass of wine , if approved by my doctor, which he did. The food caters for any type diet or religious belief. I pay $229 per month for this policy .The hospital stay of 6 weeks was $46,000. With my policy I paid $500.00. Every Australian is covered by basic by medibank cover, without cost if you are aged. However you have no choice of , timing of operation, hospital or surgeon .Most public hospital have long waiing lists. Many people suggest I am mad paying my high premium , with reseach a d planning I discovered I was spending over $160.00 on coffee, snacks and all types of this and thats. So it is my choice. How does that compare with USA setup?
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2 replies
steeldove | @steeldove | Nov 17, 2020
In reply to @user_che214927 "Hi @steeldovel, you had better come live here in Ausralia. I have ou Medicare Policy, Medibank..." + (show)
@user_che214927

Hi @steeldovel, you had better come live here in Ausralia. I have ou Medicare Policy, Medibank with extras. 3 years ago I had a massive surgery on my hip and pelvis and hospital in a private hospital with a private room of my choice, with a specialist surgeon of my choice. The food is prepared by qualified chefs, who cater for any diet including religious diets, including a glass of wine , if approved by my doctor, which he did. The food caters for any type diet or religious belief. I pay $229 per month for this policy .The hospital stay of 6 weeks was $46,000. With my policy I paid $500.00. Every Australian is covered by basic by medibank cover, without cost if you are aged. However you have no choice of , timing of operation, hospital or surgeon .Most public hospital have long waiing lists. Many people suggest I am mad paying my high premium , with reseach a d planning I discovered I was spending over $160.00 on coffee, snacks and all types of this and thats. So it is my choice. How does that compare with USA setup?

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@user_che214927 Wow! My monthly payment for my Medicare and Medicare Supplement ("Medigap") is about US$250 which would be about $343 Australia. But I'm such a gypsy (Lived 10 years on Caribbean islands) I'd love to move to Australia!

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helennicola | @helennicola | Nov 18, 2020
In reply to @steeldove "@pfbacon @sunnyflower I stay with Original Medicare because I travel from Springfield, missouri, to Mayo Clinic..." + (show)
@steeldove

@pfbacon @sunnyflower I stay with Original Medicare because I travel from Springfield, missouri, to Mayo Clinic for everything but the most routine stuff, and a medicare Advantage plan wouldn't cover Mayo treatment. My priority is excellent medical care, not eyeglasses, dental and Silver Sneakers. Think about your healthcare priorities before choosing a plan.

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Hi Peggy, I too choose to stay with my regular Medicare/Supp. plan. We are getting inundated with advertisements for this “medicare Advantage” plan and I can’t believe it would actually be better or less expensive.

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1 reply
sunnyflower | @sunnyflower | Nov 18, 2020
In reply to @helennicola "Hi Peggy, I too choose to stay with my regular Medicare/Supp. plan. We are getting inundated..." + (show)
@helennicola

Hi Peggy, I too choose to stay with my regular Medicare/Supp. plan. We are getting inundated with advertisements for this “medicare Advantage” plan and I can’t believe it would actually be better or less expensive.

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I 've heard different licensed health insurance representatives say so. They sre non-biased;don't represent a specific company. Both Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz endorse it. You have nothing to lose to learn about it. All the best, Sunnyflower PS: I' m teachable so would like to know what you learn. 😊

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2 replies
sunnyflower | @sunnyflower | Nov 19, 2020
In reply to @user_che214927 "Hi @steeldovel, you had better come live here in Ausralia. I have ou Medicare Policy, Medibank..." + (show)
@user_che214927

Hi @steeldovel, you had better come live here in Ausralia. I have ou Medicare Policy, Medibank with extras. 3 years ago I had a massive surgery on my hip and pelvis and hospital in a private hospital with a private room of my choice, with a specialist surgeon of my choice. The food is prepared by qualified chefs, who cater for any diet including religious diets, including a glass of wine , if approved by my doctor, which he did. The food caters for any type diet or religious belief. I pay $229 per month for this policy .The hospital stay of 6 weeks was $46,000. With my policy I paid $500.00. Every Australian is covered by basic by medibank cover, without cost if you are aged. However you have no choice of , timing of operation, hospital or surgeon .Most public hospital have long waiing lists. Many people suggest I am mad paying my high premium , with reseach a d planning I discovered I was spending over $160.00 on coffee, snacks and all types of this and thats. So it is my choice. How does that compare with USA setup?

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Hi Barry, thx for sharing your pic! You always make me smile.

In our hospitals the food is NOT whole snd nutritious which is paramount to healing!

I do get a private room I think bc I am on two immunosuppressant meds.

Hope you have some relief today and that you know how much we care about you!

Many blessings, Sunnyflower 😊🙏

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 19, 2020
In reply to @sunnyflower "I 've heard different licensed health insurance representatives say so. They sre non-biased;don't represent a specific..." + (show)
@sunnyflower

I 've heard different licensed health insurance representatives say so. They sre non-biased;don't represent a specific company. Both Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz endorse it. You have nothing to lose to learn about it. All the best, Sunnyflower PS: I' m teachable so would like to know what you learn. 😊

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Hi @sunnyflower, thanks for posting the 1-800 number for people to find out more about Medicare Advantage. According to the Dr. Phil episode posted on YouTube that number is specifically for Dr. Phil viewers and available only until early December. That implies that it is a special number for marketers to track how effective their money was spent on paying for the segment on Dr. Phil. The episode was sponsored by Medicare Advantage. I wouldn't go as far as to say that the representatives answering the phone line are unbiased.

I mention this so that each person can do their due diligence, research the best option for their coverage and budget.

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1 reply
steeldove | @steeldove | Nov 19, 2020

@colleenyoung I've posted before about keeping my Original Medicare and a Medigap because I got much of my care at Mayo Clinic, and a Medicare Advantage plan would not cover that as I live in Missouri. I prize excellent medical care not eyeglasses, Silver Sneakers, and other Advantage enticements.

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