Re: Neurosurgeon Today

[Guest guest]

Steve,

I feel for you! I just realized how much codeine you are on! That is a huge

amount. I am max on 4/day. Maybe you are too much and you are getting messed

up and having rebound pain. When I worked in mental health I saw patients who

were on a lot of psychotropic medications. The doctor kept adding more and the

person's symptoms were getting worse. After hospitalization and being decreased

in amount of medication, the symptoms improved.

I also think that some medications just don't work for some people. Perhaps

some of your medication just don't work for you and taking more (like your

doctor tells you to do) is really just a waste of time.

I live in Pa (Lehigh Valley-Bethlehem) and I think I have a general idea where

you are from your mention of York. This suggestion may be a waste of time (you

may have already done it), but have you checked out Hersey medical center, or U

of Penn hospital in Phili or Temple Hospital? They are all teaching hospitals.

I know Jefferson Hospital in Phili has an excellent neuro department and

they are also a teaching hospital.

If you have medicare and medicaid under SSID you should be able to go even into

New York City for consultation. I agree with you about the problem when they

heard medicaid. many doctors around here will not accept Pa medical assistance

patients. They associate all them with low reimbursement for services. I

understand that medicare is primary and medicaid will pick up the 20% like my

AARP medicare supplement does. The sad thing is that the AARP supplement is

totally acceptable. Medicaid isn't! We need socialized medicine!

I know a fellow who I volunteer with in the fire police. He is about 10 years

older than me (65), and was diagnosed with colon rectal cancer just over a year

ago. He has undergo the surgery and chemo. I took care of the colon tumors,

but some of the cells spread to his lungs. He was recently told that there was

nothing more they could do for him. Radiation and surgery are out because there

are multiple tumors in both lungs. they sent him down to Temple to see if there

were any clinical trials for him. Zippo. Then he went to Foxchase about

clinical trials. he was told that to participate he would have to take a

medication for lung cancer that cost $3000/month and would be taken for 2

months. however his insurance would probably not pay for it because he is

considered to have colon rectal cancer in the lung rather than lung cancer.

REALLY?!? how insane! It is all about money! I think it is disgusting. Without

treatment my friend was told he has 8 months to 1 year to live.

On a side note, he is going to try Chinese herb, dragon way. It has been shown

to slow or stop the growth of cancerous tumors. Not sure if it would help you.

Sorry this is so long. Please feel free to email me anytime if you want to talk

further. Also may I recommend a website " butyou don'tlooksick.com " very

informative and covers a range of chronic illnesses. Good tips on helping cope.

If you are on facebook, there is a private board for the group. If you are

interested in being able to talk to others coping with similar conditions and

other chronic pain illnesses email me and I will recommend you to the moderator.

if you want to connect on facebook, I'm Tami Brotosky. Feel free to send a

friend request.

Huge, huge gentle hugs.

> M. wrote:

> To those of you that I promised to let you know about my appointment, sorry I

didn't post this sooner.