Re: Bonnie's visit to Dr. Bridwell

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonnie,

Well that is a " good news/bad news " report!! Everything looks fine but

they have no idea why you hurt.

DrRand had said the same thing to me wwhen we were talking about

sacroliliac joints....they don't like to fuse them, and he wouldn't be

the guy if it ever became necessary.

It is so frustrating isn't it? The only docs you might have in your

life that are able to take a look at your entire body is your GP...and

they sure don't have the expertise to figure out what might be wrong

with our bodies.

I think I am hoping that all your blood work comes back good...are you?

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonnie...

I’ve been doing a little reading of abstracts on SIJ pain tonight. It sure seems like no one can agree what the appropriate treatment is. You may want to do some reading yourself.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed

Of particular interest might be:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed & cmd=Retrieve & dopt=AbstractPlus & list_uids=16153580 & query_hl=62 & itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed & cmd=Retrieve & dopt=AbstractPlus & list_uids=12571491 & itool=pubmed_AbstractPlus

--

On 9/4/06 12:14 PM, " Bonnie " <bonnie@...> wrote:

Hi Everyone,

So, I am back home, having survived the trip. I'm very glad I went to Dr. Bridwell, though I have no real answers as to what's causing my pain, at least not yet. He had me take the same two x-rays, front and side view, as Dr. Boachie always does. (Let me back up: I had Harrington Rod surgery with Dr. Keim, 1977 at age 36 and revision surgery with Dr. Boachie in 1997 at 56.) Dr. Bridwell had the new x-rays up on the lightboxes as well as all the pictures of the CT of my spine and SI Joints that I had done locally a year and a half ago. First, he looked at my back and had me show him where I hurt, had me stand on both heels, then both sets of toes and had me walk back and forth a couple of times (in very cramped quarters). He stared at the x-rays and studied the CT scan and said, " It could be the sacroiliac joints but there's nothing that can be done for that; nobody recommends fusing SI Joints. " He said the fusion looks very solid and strong and all the hardware is in place. He said a remote possibility for my pain could be a low grade infection on the hardware, and ordered blood tests. A CRP ( C reactive protein) and ESR (sed rate.) (They did that there, but I don't have the results yet.) He also said that there's a possibility of a stress fracture, and gave me a prescription for a bone scan of the spine. I'll have the scan done here at home. Dr.. Bridwell also ordered a Ferguson View x-ray, which they did there. His assistant came out later and told me the results were very good: the fusion looks solid and strong and thick from that angle, too. I had asked the technician about this x-ray and she said it takes a look at the lumbar spine from an angled view that's different from the other x-rays, even though you are standing upright when they take the picture. So, as far as Dr. Bridwell is concerned, I need to find out the results of the blood tests and have the bone scan here then have the films and the report sent to him for analysis. In the meantime, I am thrilled that there is no reason whatsoever for any more spine surgery. Basically, his report about the condition of my spine is exactly the same as I always get from Dr. Boachie.

I told Dr. Bridwell about my steroid injections into the piriformis muscle. That elicited absolutely no response. I asked whether there could be a problem with the iliac crest, the ilium and/or the pelvis. That also elicited no response whatsoever. The clear impression my hubby and I got was that he would deal only with the spine.

If the blood tests and bone scan are negative, I will give up looking for an answer from my spine and find a doctor who will deal with the iliac crest, pelvis and ileum. My pain doc here said he would help me with that.

I liked Dr. Bridwell. We didn't find him shy or standoffish as others have suggested, maybe just quiet. Definitely very busy. A whirlwind. In and out with an entourage. But thorough nonetheless. I would have confidence in him operating on me if that's what I needed, but thank heavens I don't.

The most surprising part of the visit was when Dr. Bridwell, as he was looking at my records, asked, " Did you have to pay Dr. Boachie $50,000 up front? " I was so shocked that at first I didn't respond. He then said, " I hear he doesn't take insurance " . My goodness. I set him straight. I said he didn't take assignment, but gave us the paperwork we needed to send a claim to the insurance company then turned the check over to him and that Dr. Boachie's staff helped with the appeal for the part that was initially denied. I also told him that once the insurance company finally paid about 95% of the bill, Dr. Boachie never even sent us a bill for the rest. I hope I set that record straight.

All in all, with two visits to radiology and one visit to the lab for blood work, we were there for 4 1/2 hours. A very long day! And thanks to everyone who told us about the Parkway Hotel. Can't get more convenient than that. We ate at some good restaurants, too. Liluma for dinner one night and lunchn one day and dinner the next at Wildflower.

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

HI Cam,

Yes, I'm hoping the blood tests come back with good news. As well as the bone scan. But I would like them to find something they, or I can "fix"! Now that I am fully confident that my revision surgery itself is holding up very well, I'm somewhat more confident about my future. I was frightened, thinking I might have to do revision surgery all over again, but that is definitely not the case. Whew!!!

I think the main problem is in the ileum, iliac crest, pelvis area. We'll see. I'll address that area after the blood tests and bone scan results are back.

I've been thinking about all of this a lot in the last few days and I realized that knowing my spine is in good shape (pardon the pun!) is super important to me. And I know that even if we can't find something that can be fixed to get rid of or decrease my pain, I can have plenty of enjoyment in my life as long as I plan my days correctly. It's lucky that we are retired.

Bonnie

[ ] Re: Bonnie's visit to Dr. Bridwell

Hi Bonnie,Well that is a "good news/bad news" report!! Everything looks fine butthey have no idea why you hurt.DrRand had said the same thing to me wwhen we were talking aboutsacroliliac joints....they don't like to fuse them, and he wouldn't bethe guy if it ever became necessary.It is so frustrating isn't it? The only docs you might have in yourlife that are able to take a look at your entire body is your GP...andthey sure don't have the expertise to figure out what might be wrongwith our bodies.I think I am hoping that all your blood work comes back good...are you?Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks, very much. I'm going to read them all. I appreciate your knowledge and help, so much.

Re: [ ] Bonnie's visit to Dr. Bridwell

Hi Bonnie...I’ve been doing a little reading of abstracts on SIJ pain tonight. It sure seems like no one can agree what the appropriate treatment is. You may want to do some reading yourself. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMedOf particular interest might be:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed & cmd=Retrieve & dopt=AbstractPlus & list_uids=16153580 & query_hl=62 & itool=pubmed_docsumhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed & cmd=Retrieve & dopt=AbstractPlus & list_uids=12571491 & itool=pubmed_AbstractPlus--On 9/4/06 12:14 PM, "Bonnie" <bonnie@....com> wrote:

Hi Everyone, So, I am back home, having survived the trip. I'm very glad I went to Dr. Bridwell, though I have no real answers as to what's causing my pain, at least not yet. He had me take the same two x-rays, front and side view, as Dr. Boachie always does. (Let me back up: I had Harrington Rod surgery with Dr. Keim, 1977 at age 36 and revision surgery with Dr. Boachie in 1997 at 56.) Dr. Bridwell had the new x-rays up on the lightboxes as well as all the pictures of the CT of my spine and SI Joints that I had done locally a year and a half ago. First, he looked at my back and had me show him where I hurt, had me stand on both heels, then both sets of toes and had me walk back and forth a couple of times (in very cramped quarters). He stared at the x-rays and studied the CT scan and said, "It could be the sacroiliac joints but there's nothing that can be done for that; nobody recommends fusing SI Joints." He said the fusion looks v I told Dr. Bridwell about my steroid injections into the piriformis muscle. That elicited absolutely no response. I asked whether there could be a problem with the iliac crest, the ilium and/or the pelvis. That also elicited no response whatsoever. The clear impression my hubby and I got was that he would deal only with the spine. If the blood tests and bone scan are negative, I will give up looking for an answer from my spine and find a doctor who will deal with the iliac crest, pelvis and ileum. My pain doc here said he would help me with that. I liked Dr. Bridwell. We didn't find him shy or standoffish as others have suggested, maybe just quiet. Definitely very busy. A whirlwind. In and out with an entourage. But thorough nonetheless. I would have confidence in him operating on me if that's what I needed, but thank heavens I don't. The most surprising part of the visit was when Dr. Bridwell, as he was looking at my records, asked, "Did you have to pay Dr. Boachie $50,000 up front?" I was so shocked that at first I didn't respond. He then said, "I hear he doesn't take insurance". My goodness. I set him straight. I said he didn't take assignment, but gave us the paperwork we needed to send a claim to the insurance company then turned the check over to him and that Dr. Boachie's staff helped with the appeal for the part that was initially denied. I also told him that once the insurance company finally paid about 95% of the bill, Dr. Boachie never even sent us a bill for the rest. I hope I set that record straight. All in all, with two visits to radiology and one visit to the lab for blood work, we were there for 4 1/2 hours. A very long day! And thanks to everyone who told us about the Parkway Hotel. Can't get more convenient than that. We ate at some good restaurants, too. Liluma for dinner one night and lunchn one day and dinner the next at Wildflower. Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I've read a lot of the stuff you brought to my attention about care and treatment of SI Joints. Thanks again. I haven't seen anything that speaks to fusing SI Joints in people who have long spine fusions. My local ortho doc told me about two years ago that if I were anyone else he would recommend fusing the SI Joints but he wouldn't recommend it for me because "then you really wouldn't be able to move" Have you seen anything?

BTW, my bone scan is scheduled for next Monday.

Bonnie

Re: [ ] Bonnie's visit to Dr. Bridwell

Hi Bonnie...I’ve been doing a little reading of abstracts on SIJ pain tonight. It sure seems like no one can agree what the appropriate treatment is. You may want to do some reading yourself. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMedOf particular interest might be:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed & cmd=Retrieve & dopt=AbstractPlus & list_uids=16153580 & query_hl=62 & itool=pubmed_docsumhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed & cmd=Retrieve & dopt=AbstractPlus & list_uids=12571491 & itool=pubmed_AbstractPlus--On 9/4/06 12:14 PM, "Bonnie" <bonnie@....com> wrote:

Hi Everyone, So, I am back home, having survived the trip. I'm very glad I went to Dr. Bridwell, though I have no real answers as to what's causing my pain, at least not yet. He had me take the same two x-rays, front and side view, as Dr. Boachie always does. (Let me back up: I had Harrington Rod surgery with Dr. Keim, 1977 at age 36 and revision surgery with Dr. Boachie in 1997 at 56.) Dr. Bridwell had the new x-rays up on the lightboxes as well as all the pictures of the CT of my spine and SI Joints that I had done locally a year and a half ago. First, he looked at my back and had me show him where I hurt, had me stand on both heels, then both sets of toes and had me walk back and forth a couple of times (in very cramped quarters). He stared at the x-rays and studied the CT scan and said, "It could be the sacroiliac joints but there's nothing that can be done for that; nobody recommends fusing SI Joints." He said the fusion looks v I told Dr. Bridwell about my steroid injections into the piriformis muscle. That elicited absolutely no response. I asked whether there could be a problem with the iliac crest, the ilium and/or the pelvis. That also elicited no response whatsoever. The clear impression my hubby and I got was that he would deal only with the spine. If the blood tests and bone scan are negative, I will give up looking for an answer from my spine and find a doctor who will deal with the iliac crest, pelvis and ileum. My pain doc here said he would help me with that. I liked Dr. Bridwell. We didn't find him shy or standoffish as others have suggested, maybe just quiet. Definitely very busy. A whirlwind. In and out with an entourage. But thorough nonetheless. I would have confidence in him operating on me if that's what I needed, but thank heavens I don't. The most surprising part of the visit was when Dr. Bridwell, as he was looking at my records, asked, "Did you have to pay Dr. Boachie $50,000 up front?" I was so shocked that at first I didn't respond. He then said, "I hear he doesn't take insurance". My goodness. I set him straight. I said he didn't take assignment, but gave us the paperwork we needed to send a claim to the insurance company then turned the check over to him and that Dr. Boachie's staff helped with the appeal for the part that was initially denied. I also told him that once the insurance company finally paid about 95% of the bill, Dr. Boachie never even sent us a bill for the rest. I hope I set that record straight. All in all, with two visits to radiology and one visit to the lab for blood work, we were there for 4 1/2 hours. A very long day! And thanks to everyone who told us about the Parkway Hotel. Can't get more convenient than that. We ate at some good restaurants, too. Liluma for dinner one night and lunchn one day and dinner the next at Wildflower. Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Titch, I'll try to look up Holly.

Bonnie

Re: [ ] Bonnie's visit to Dr. Bridwell

I'm not sure it's much of a recommendation as what I heard of him over the years was very mixed, but certainly Dr Kostuik used to fuse the sacro-iliac joints in some cases for people with long fusions. One in particular who stands out is Holly / Whiteangel (who some may remember from the MIT list), although for her it was part of the whole revision. I'm pretty sure her page is still up on Geocities, but I haven't looked recently.

titch-- The wages of sin are death, but by the time taxes are taken out, it's just sort of a tired feeling - a Poundstone

[Guest guest]

Hi...

I believe that Dr. Kostuik has retired.

--

On 9/7/06 1:40 AM, " oojackapivvy " <oojackapivvy@...> wrote:

I'm not sure it's much of a recommendation as what I heard of him over the years was very mixed, but certainly Dr Kostuik used to fuse the sacro-iliac joints in some cases for people with long fusions. One in particular who stands out is Holly / Whiteangel (who some may remember from the MIT list), although for her it was part of the whole revision. I'm pretty sure her page is still up on Geocities, but I haven't looked recently.

titch

[Guest guest]

On 9/7/06, Racine <lindaracine@...> wrote:

Hi...I believe that Dr. Kostuik has retired.--

On 9/7/06 1:40 AM, " oojackapivvy " <oojackapivvygmail> wrote:

I'm not sure it's much of a recommendation as what I heard of him over the years was very mixed, but certainly Dr Kostuik used to fuse the sacro-iliac joints in some cases for people with long fusions. One in particular who stands out is Holly / Whiteangel (who some may remember from the MIT list), although for her it was part of the whole revision. I'm pretty sure her page is still up on Geocities, but I haven't looked recently. titch

-- The wages of sin are death, but by the time taxes are taken out, it's just sort of a tired feeling - a Poundstone

[Guest guest]

Sorry about that blank post, wrong button.

I'm pretty sure you're right about Dr Kostuik, but he's the only surgeon I know for sure has done SI fusion in conjunction with long spinal fusion, so it's perhaps a place to start ) Also, perhaps one of the docs who has taken over where he used to be based would have some views on it, or perhaps do it themselves.

titch-- The wages of sin are death, but by the time taxes are taken out, it's just sort of a tired feeling - a Poundstone