Re: Re: Starband Orthomerica Mistake!/Krissy

[Guest guest]

I have a question.... Since the StarBand was completely covered with our insurance... How do you get the DOCBand covered also? We have had fit issues, and she hates her helmet, she never wears it 23 hours a day. we also are ones who waited 4 weeks between fit and casting. She was 3 1/2 months at casting and 4 1/2 months at fitting. But the orthotist says it's fine.. whats the deal.??? i'm am also so very fustrated.. i hardly ever put the darn thing on her, it's too mush of a hassle... Crying all day, never sleeping, not eating. it's rediculous! help needed here too. There is a CT about 3 hours away... maybe i'll just call them.

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[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie-

My husband is calling Orlando to see if I could get fitted there

because we read up on the scanner. We hope we can do this. We really

don't want to go through any more castings. loves to drive, so

the 1 1/2 hour to Orlando will be a treat for him. ;-) I was also

thinking of Miami. But, I don't know the difference between Docband

and Starband. Which band would be better for our problem flat spot. I

don't know if 's therapy would be too extreme traveling back and

forth to Miami. We do have family there, so I could stay with them, but

I feel it would be better staying closer to home for the fitting. What

do you think? Is Miami better? Do Docbands work faster?

I feel much better today, I think I needed sleep. I also think

everyone's prayers and support snapped me out of the falling pit of

depression. I have come to the realization that we have to get this

done, but I want it done ASAP! I forwarded your letter to my husband -

so he will get in touch with Debbie or he is calling Orthmerica right

now to see what they are going to do for us.

I appreciate all of your support through this. As a parent you question

yourself a lot with these hard decisions. Could you please email me

back telling me if Miami/Doc band would be better?

Thank you,

Krissy

ph's mom

On Apr 21, 2004, at 10:12 AM, Debbie wrote:

> Hi Krissy:

> I have an idea that may be of " help " to you. I hate hearing how

> discouraged you are right now & can totally understand & sympathize

> w/your feelings:(

>

> How far away from Orlando are you?  We had another member w/some

> STAR problems in the Tampa Bay area, she considered going to Orlando

> to have her baby scanned for a new STARband after initial fit probs

> w/her son's 1st STARband. They had the STARscanner in Orlando.

> Perhaps that would be an option for you, this would help avoid

> another plaster casting which was so upset over w/the first

> one?  Why don't you email Deanna Fish of Orthomerica, she's a CPO

> and may have a couple ideas for you?  dfishcpo@... 

>

> Will this happen again? There are no guarantees,  but I'd think

> Orhtomerica would be very alert to your original fit probs & do

> everything to make this 2nd band as perfect as possible!!! 

>

> Otherwise, I don't have a clue how far from Miami you are,  but if

> you aren't too far, perhaps consider going to Cranial Tech & look

> into the DOCband?  We've recently had 2 other FL members go w/the

> DOCband after ill fitting STARs and used Angel Flight for their

> trips - http://www.aircareall.org  I think is their website, they

> fly people for treatment at no cost, irregardless of your financial

> situation.

> Honestly, ph's headshape is severe in my opinion and I

> think banding him is the best route you can go right now.

> Believe me, I totally understand how you feel & am so sorry you're

> going thru this.  It breaks my heart. 

>

> Hang in there Krissy, I hope your husband is calm too   Please let

> us know what Cary suggests doing.  Best wishes!!!

>

> Debbie

>

>

> > Hi Lori-

> >

> > I am devastated. Joe will be calling Cary tomorrow. I don't know

> how

> > this is all going to work out. I hope my husband doesn't lose it

> too

> > much. I would drive over to Orlando to Orthomerica to speed up

> this

> > process. But as I said to Debbie, could this whole situation be an

> > answer to my prayer to pull back from this path? It just seems

> like it

> > is a force against nature. I am past emotional and need a clear

> answer.

> > I hate being in this position.

> >

> > If needs to be recasted, which that seems to be the only

> thing to

> > do, he will be into 7 1/2 months when he would receive the band.

> Would

> > this refitting help? Would this problem with Ortho/Kast happen

> again?

> > Do I want to go through this casting again and have

> whimpering

> > again in fear- plus he is so happy since the helmet has been off? 

> You

> > are right- I am freaking out!!!  I hate this part of being a

> parent.

> >

> > I value your opinion, if this happened to you and Christian in the

> > beginning would you still do this? Remember  in the beginning- you

> > didn't see the results yet and you questioned yourself when

> everything

> > went pretty smoothly.  But add Dr. Carey saying she wouldn't do

> the

> > helmet (meaning ) because he didn't have the Torticolis and

> > Asymmetry.  If you don't want to answer, I will understand. I know

> it

> > is really up to me and my husband. But, it helps to get other

> opinions.

> >

> > BTW- Joe and I are planning on seeing Dr. McCormick (spelling of

> name I

> > think is right). He saw in the hospital and on his 7 day

> check

> > up. We really liked him. Oh well, if Dr. Goldstein feels weird -

> we

> > feel we will get the right  treatment by seeing him and we won't

> have

> > to go too far away from home.

> >

> > Talk to you soon,

> > Krissy

> >

>

>

>

> For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Thank you Tris-

My husband is calling Starband/Orthmerica right now discussing our

options. I am furious that this happened, but I jus want it taken care

of right now.

How far away are you from Miami? Did you do Angel flights? Did you get

your money back from Starband? Now that is approaching 7 months

I feel the timer is running out. I just don't want to make any rash

decisions.

Thank you for your concern and your email,

Krissy

ph's mom

On Apr 21, 2004, at 10:48 AM, trijess3 wrote:

> Krissy,

>

> I must tell you that I am one of the FL members that Debbie is

> talking about. My son had an ill fitting STARband in Feb. and after a

> month of him not being able to wear it because of " fit issues " we

> went for the DOCband. We have quite a drive to Miami and at first I

> didn't think it was possible to go there every two weeks but we

> realized we had to do it. The difference between my son's STARband

> and the DOCband is like night and day. He was not happy at all in the

> STARband, the DOCband doesn't bother him at all. We could barely get

> the STARband on his head and then it would snap shut real tight, the

> DOCband is so easy to get on and off. I remember how upset and angry

> I was back in Feb about the whole process; the problems I had with

> the band etc.  Now the band is no big deal. The travel still is a

> pain but it is not forever, just a few months.  I wish you the best

> of luck with whatever you decide to do and if you want to email me if

> you have any questions about CT or my experience with STARband feel

> free to.  I just get so angry all over again everytime I hear about

> a " problem " with a STARband and I felt compelled to respond to your

> post.

>

> Tris in FL

> Mom to Colin (almost 8 mos)

> DOCband 3/04

> STARband dropout 2/04

>

>

>

>

>

> > > Hi Lori-

> > >

> > > I am devastated. Joe will be calling Cary tomorrow. I don't know

> > how

> > > this is all going to work out. I hope my husband doesn't lose it

> > too

> > > much. I would drive over to Orlando to Orthomerica to speed up

> > this

> > > process. But as I said to Debbie, could this whole situation be

> an

> > > answer to my prayer to pull back from this path? It just seems

> > like it

> > > is a force against nature. I am past emotional and need a clear

> > answer.

> > > I hate being in this position.

> > >

> > > If needs to be recasted, which that seems to be the only

> > thing to

> > > do, he will be into 7 1/2 months when he would receive the band.

> > Would

> > > this refitting help? Would this problem with Ortho/Kast happen

> > again?

> > > Do I want to go through this casting again and have

> > whimpering

> > > again in fear- plus he is so happy since the helmet has been

> off? 

> > You

> > > are right- I am freaking out!!!  I hate this part of being a

> > parent.

> > >

> > > I value your opinion, if this happened to you and Christian in

> the

> > > beginning would you still do this? Remember  in the beginning-

> you

> > > didn't see the results yet and you questioned yourself when

> > everything

> > > went pretty smoothly.  But add Dr. Carey saying she wouldn't do

> > the

> > > helmet (meaning ) because he didn't have the Torticolis and

> > > Asymmetry.  If you don't want to answer, I will understand. I

> know

> > it

> > > is really up to me and my husband. But, it helps to get other

> > opinions.

> > >

> > > BTW- Joe and I are planning on seeing Dr. McCormick (spelling of

> > name I

> > > think is right). He saw in the hospital and on his 7 day

> > check

> > > up. We really liked him. Oh well, if Dr. Goldstein feels weird -

> > we

> > > feel we will get the right  treatment by seeing him and we won't

> > have

> > > to go too far away from home.

> > >

> > > Talk to you soon,

> > > Krissy

> > >

>

>

>

> For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

I really don't now about the insurance issue and If we could get our

money back. I asked Tris the same question because she dropped out of

Starband. It is very frustrating!!!!! I am sorry you are having a hard

time too!

Krissy

ph's mom

On Apr 21, 2004, at 10:59 AM, wishes0602@... wrote:

> I have a question.... Since the StarBand was completely covered with

> our insurance... How do you get the DOCBand covered also? We have had

> fit issues, and she hates her helmet, she never wears it 23 hours a

> day. we also are ones who waited 4 weeks between fit and casting.  She

> was 3 1/2 months at casting and 4 1/2 months at fitting. But the

> orthotist says it's fine.. whats the deal.??? i'm am also so very

> fustrated.. i hardly ever put the darn thing on her, it's too mush of 

> a hassle... Crying all day, never sleeping, not eating. it's

> rediculous! help needed here too. There is a CT about 3 hours away...

> maybe i'll just call them.

>  

>   

>

>

> and my 2 Girls:

> Madison 6/17/02

> &

> Ava 11/9/03

>

> " Can't use it...Don't throw it away! "

> " Someone could probably use it in your area! "

> Keep unwanted items out of the dump!!

> Choose

> Freecycle

>

> Need help decorating for an event?

> Festive Creations

>

>

> For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie-

Thank you for your information. I forwarded your email to my husband.

As of right now, Orthmerica in Orlando has 's case on the top of

their list (at least that is what they say). They asked my husband to

put the complaint in writing about Kast the Orthotist. It seems that

our Orthotist just sent 's casting only without any measurements

with it and Orthomerica just made a helmet out of the cast. Orthomerica

said they never got the measurements. What a disaster. One blames the

other. I will update you when we find out what Orthomerica is going to

support us with. My husband and I will discuss about Miami. I really

don't want to go back to the Orthotist we have been seeing. Is there

anyone who has gone to a good Orthotist in the Tampa Bay Area?

Thank you,

Krissy

On Apr 21, 2004, at 11:51 AM, Debbie wrote:

> Hi Krissy!

> is a happy traveler?  You're very fortunate!

> As far as " is the DOCband better " , both STARbands & DOCbands are

> similar but yet different.

> Cranial Tech, mfg of the DOCband, only treats plagiocephaly and only

> make the DOCbands. I've been fortunate enuf to tour their home

> office twice and have seen first hand the dedication, expertise &

> professionalism they put into each & every band they make.  All of

> their clinicians are trained prior to treating plagio babies w/the

> DOCband and attend bi-annual training courses. They are also

> monitored by Cranial Techs home office.  They were the first to be

> FDA approved and pretty much all the stuides you read about band

> effectiveness, etc. are thru the DOCband.  For US personally, after

> going thru an illfitted STARband (see Abby-Debbie pics) the DOCband

> was better w/o a doubt.  Her DOCband was night & day, same as Tris

> said.  I'm not trying to sway you one way or another at all, this is

> just MY story and what happened with us.  Cranial Tech's website is

> http://www.cranialtech.com if you'd like more info on it.

> I wouldn't say DOCbands work " faster " than a STARband would, if you

> find a good orthotist for the STARband, then the STARbands can & do

> work just as well as any other product out there.  I don't have any

> personal exp w/CT in Miami, but have heard great thigns about them.

> I used CT in Chicago and loved em.

> With the STARband, made by Orthomerica, Orthomerica simply makes the

> band and ships it to the orthotist who casted & ordered it. They do

> not oversee treatment, you just work w/your orthotist. With STARband

> or local helmet orthos,  you don't know if they've rec'd add'tl

> training on the treatment w/the product or not. Orthotists do

> receive educating on the bands/helmets while in college for their

> field to my knowledge though.

> Let us know whatever you decide to do!!  This has got to be VERY

> overwhelming, confusing & frustrating for you right now.

> Debbie

>

>

> > >  > Hi Lori-

> > >  >

> > >  > I am devastated. Joe will be calling Cary tomorrow. I don't

> know

> > >  how

> > >  > this is all going to work out. I hope my husband doesn't lose

> it

> > >  too

> > >  > much. I would drive over to Orlando to Orthomerica to speed up

> > >  this

> > >  > process. But as I said to Debbie, could this whole situation

> be an

> > >  > answer to my prayer to pull back from this path? It just seems

> > >  like it

> > >  > is a force against nature. I am past emotional and need a

> clear

> > >  answer.

> > >  > I hate being in this position.

> > >  >

> > >  > If needs to be recasted, which that seems to be the only

> > >  thing to

> > >  > do, he will be into 7 1/2 months when he would receive the

> band.

> > >  Would

> > >  > this refitting help? Would this problem with Ortho/Kast happen

> > >  again?

> > >  > Do I want to go through this casting again and have

> > >  whimpering

> > >  > again in fear- plus he is so happy since the helmet has been

> off? 

> > >  You

> > >  > are right- I am freaking out!!!  I hate this part of being a

> > >  parent.

> > >  >

> > >  > I value your opinion, if this happened to you and Christian

> in the

> > >  > beginning would you still do this? Remember  in the beginning-

> you

> > >  > didn't see the results yet and you questioned yourself when

> > >  everything

> > >  > went pretty smoothly.  But add Dr. Carey saying she wouldn't

> do

> > >  the

> > >  > helmet (meaning ) because he didn't have the Torticolis

> and

> > >  > Asymmetry.  If you don't want to answer, I will understand. I

> know

> > >  it

> > >  > is really up to me and my husband. But, it helps to get other

> > >  opinions.

> > >  >

> > >  > BTW- Joe and I are planning on seeing Dr. McCormick (spelling

> of

> > >  name I

> > >  > think is right). He saw in the hospital and on his 7 day

> > >  check

> > >  > up. We really liked him. Oh well, if Dr. Goldstein feels

> weird -

> > >  we

> > >  > feel we will get the right  treatment by seeing him and we

> won't

> > >  have

> > >  > to go too far away from home.

> > >  >

> > >  > Talk to you soon,

> > >  > Krissy

> > >  >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > For more plagio info