ADR, anyone have it done and where? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

cardinal · 04-12-2005, 09:33 AM

Can't type long, pulled lower back out yesterday. My cervical fusion did not take and need fusion on the lumbar. Would like to hear from those that have had artificial disc replacement and where? Thinking I may even go to Germany?

notpain · 10-07-2005, 08:06 PM

I am also looking at Germany as an option as I need multi-level. However I have a friend in Canada (He says Healthcare is cheaper there) and the Bryan Cervical Disc was approved there in 2003. The trick is to find a really knowledgable surgeon in canada if you go that route. They approved one of the Lumbar devices there too. I do not know for multi or single level.

cardinal · 10-08-2005, 10:58 AM

Thanks not pain for response. Hope you are coping? I've decided to hold off as long as I can. In the middle of moving again and need to move to be closer to family. My spine specialist told me that the rods and screws look well placed and some people don't even have pain after non fusion, yeh right. I've doubled up on vit e , multi vit and grape seed extract. Trying my own approach. I too afraid of any more surgeries on my poor body, besides the 2 back surgeries I have had a total of 12 different type of major surgical procedures, thus don't think I want to chance another til I absolutely must. I am my own doctor right now, researching etc and staying away from narcotics as much as possible, though I still rely on the 'edge " pill in the am and sleeping pills right now. Canada sounds like a good idea to ponder thanks for the advise and hope you get feelin better soon, hugs

notpain · 10-09-2005, 12:07 PM

Vitamin E in the synthetic form probably won't do much for you. Look up AC Grace's UniqueE - and read why it's better. Helps with scarring, but you have to take a lot 1 capsule per 40lbs of bodyweight. I do it and it doesn't bother my stomach at all. I supplement Vitamin C in the Sodium Ascorbate form (tastes like Salt Water) is a good bet as well. I use the Bronson's Labratory Brand. You may also want to consider some of the anti-inflammatory herbs like Zyflamend or Tumeric Force from New Chapter. These seem to be very compatible with my body as well. If I load up on meds like Ibuprofen it makes me sick to my stomach, as do Lortab, and about a dozen others they have tried. I have yet to have a side effect I know of from supplementation. But I also do it under a doctors supervision and bloodwork and monitoring. I can not tell you how much it's helping cause I have no reference baseline to compare to. I imagine I'd feel really bad if I didn't supplement. And I feel much better than on the drugs. However my neck is no better so I'm about 99% ready to try the knife if a surgeon thinks it's warrented. No I do not work for any of these companies. It's just when I do vitamin research I try to find the best most naturally processed brands. You (I can anyways) actually tell the difference in the way they effect my body.

May talk of the Alpha Klinic in Munich Germany as they are experienced with ADR. I keep reading that if your insurance will not pay it's actually cheaper to fly to Germany and have the surgery there than to have conventional surgery here. Ironically my Primary Care Doctor is German as are two of the better known Surgeons I have found here. I know an individual that was in a German Hospital and he said there medical care is much better than here. I am sure that is relative to where you go, your surgeon and the amount of money you have to throw at your problems, but I think in General he is probably right.

Rolex · 10-10-2005, 11:36 AM

I had the Bryan Cervical disk level C5-6 in March 2004 here in Reno Nevada. My Dr. was in the study. He is now installing the disk if you ask for it and have one level problem even though is hasn't been officially appproved yet. He has 3 spine fellowships and is the best
surgeon in western U.S. He has his own clinic now called Spine Nevada - Dr. Lynch.
You don't have to go out of the U.S.