Hi, I'm new here

[Ginamarie]

I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone. I have had scoliosis since age 13 and have been dealing with its many affects on my body now for over 20 years. I was braced as a teenager and was told it wouldn't progress, but it has quite a bit. I have a C shape curve thoracolumbar between 30 and 40 degrees with a bad rotation. I haven't had it checked in about 4 years though, so it could be worse. I've had 3 children and it got worse with every pregnancy. My pain level is so bad now that I can't even pick up my 1 year old anymore. I just moved to Murrells Inlet, SC and I'm currently searching for an Orthoped to help me. I have been taking Ultram 50mg 3xd for the pain for 3 1/2 years now and it doesn't really work any more because my body has built up a tolerance. I have been doing yoga for several years also and it has helped quite a bit, actually more so than anything else I've tried.
I was wondering if anyone here has experience with Tricare Insurance since my husband is active duty in the Coast Guard. My dealings with Tricare have been extremely difficult in getting them to cover specialists, nevermind surgery if that ever came up.
Does anyone have any recommendations for orthos here in eastern SC? I'm willing to travel quite a ways to see one - maybe as far as Raleigh, NC.

Gina

[babette71]

hey coastie!

hi gina!

well where to begin. first take care of your back. you have a family that needs you. second i am married to a recently retired coastie! so far tricare has been good. do you have standard or prime? we have standard and remember you have a catastrphic cap so surgery would be covered. there may be some co-pays till you meet your deductable but this your back!
i am having revision surgery with dr. lenke in st. louis. he takes tricare and he is one of if not the best for this. keep researching on this site. there are others who have had very good success with other surgeons.
hope this helps.
barb

[Ginamarie]

Hi Barb,
It is so wonderful to hear from another Coastie out there!!! We have just moved to South Carolina, but I did visit my my PCM today and he was very understanding and listened to my concerns. I had another xray today (first in about 4 years) and boy is my spine twisted!!!!! Its not the curve that I'm concerned about, but I cannot believe how much the rotation has taken off - has anyone else experienced an advance in rotation without much advance in curve??!!!
Well, doctor referred me to an ortho and I requested Dr. Lloyd Hey in Raleigh, NC, however I do not know if they will work with my Tricare. BTW, I have Tricare Prime Remote (however, I can switch to Standard if I desire). If Dr. Hey will not work out, I have a couple other orthos in mind.
Dr. Burkus in Columbus, GA or Dr. Lauerman in DC. Has anyone had any dealings with either of these doctors?
I was prescribed Vicodin today as a step up in pain relief from my Ultram, so we'll see how that one goes. I told him I must remain mobile and be able to drive! LOL

My hubby has 8 years til retirement from the Coast Guard - we have so loved and enjoyed his time in though - the Coast Guard community is a wonderful little family - its really hard to call it a job sometime.

Thanks again Barb, I've made a new friend, I hope!!!
Gina

[SandyC]

Gina,
The military doesn't do scoli surgery, so you will have to go civilian. Having said that, that means that TriCare is supposed to cover 100% of the cost for you. What I did is find an adult scoli doc first then I called TriCare and told/asked/yelled, etc. and got an OK to see the civilian doc. You must really not wavier when you call TriCare. By the way, stick with the Prime, better coverage.
Sandy

[babette71]

hi gina,

yes you have found a friend! i wish i knew more about the dr's you mentioned but i'm not familiar with them. there is a physician feedback thread on this forum you may want to check that out. i don't want to sound like a broken record but dr. lenke is VERY good at this kind of thing.
check out his site at spinal-deformity-surgeon.com
and he does take tricare.
as far as the rotation yes that is a very real and unfortunately common part of scoliosis. this is all new to me too. as i have found out my spine has corkscrewed above my old fusion. (i had surgery 24 years ago at age 11) back then they focused on the curve and we didn't know about rotation.i didn't anyway.
this rotation causes stenosis and nerve pain. . . i have had to start taking meds myself that is how i know it is time for revision surgery. everyone is different and thank God for the meds but i'm hoping at 35 i will not need them daily! i really hope you are finding the forum here helpful. it is just comforting to know there are others who know what your going through.
my husband retired 2 1-2 years ago! it has flown by! we loved the coast guard too. he did a total of 22 1-2 years! (6 first years air force)
he is a mailman now! that was his dream. we retired out of new york city.
i am from mass. originally. we now live in missouri! my family thinks i've lost it!!!! well i look forward to hearing from you, take care and find comfort knowing you are not alone.
barb