Neurostimulator for BPI

[Matt]

Hi,
Five years ago I was thrown over the top of a horse and landed on my head, neck and left shoulder. I broke my left clavical, separated my shoulder and recently was diagnosed with a BP stretch. I am extremely grateful to have survived the fall and to have full use of the arm.
When the accident first occured there was an open reduction with internal fixation to repair the clavical, but the shoulder wasn't scoped and the separation wasn't diagnosed, neither was the possibility of a BP stretch mentioned. I went for a year and a half in constant pain and finally found a orthopedic surgeon who agreed to scope the shoulder and do some decompression work while he was in there. He advised me at that time that I'd be back to see him for a Bankart repair when I couldn't stand the pain from luxation any longer. I toughed it out for another year without any meds then went in for the Bankart. They installed six molly bolts and reattached the shoulder ligaments through an anterior open procedure. That was in February of 2003. The shoulder is strong again and I have good range of motion.
After the Bankart healed I was still in the same amount of pain. Contstant compression sensation and severe burning in the shoulder and down the arm. In January of 2004 I started having much more tingling and and aching all the way down the arm and into the hand and fingers. There was an MRI which indicated some bulging in C5 and C6. An EMG was conducted which indicated everything was normal down the left arm. The pain became so great that I went to a local pain management doctor. Out of desperation I agreed to two cervical injections, neither of which made any improvement so I cancelled the third. He sent me for a second EMG and this time the EMG doctor indicated that I may have suffered a BP stretch and the type of EMG they performed would not detect a stretch injury. Another note, I am taking Neurontin 400mgx4, Mobic, Ultracette plus Vicodin ES sparingly for the really bad times. I tried Bextra in place of Mobic without any change. None of this seems to help much and the pain never lets up.
Six weeks ago the pain managment doc suggested we do a trial using a Neurostimulator. At this point I started doing some research and the red flags started going up. The only reference I can find to use of a neurostimulator is on avulsions, and I don't think my condition has been fully diagnosed by the local pain doctor.
I am located in Champaign, Illinois, and am seeking input on where to go for second opinion. I have checked out the medical references on the UBPN site and the closest clinic would be in Cincinatti or Michigan. I am willing to travel further if necessary but I just don't know where to start. I have Blue Cross insurance and will take them to task to try and get a waiver to cover an out of network provider.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Matt

[EllenB]

Hi Matt,

Man you've been through a lot - I'm so sorry.

If I read your message correctly, you're primarily looking for a pain mgmt doctor who would work w/you re neurostimulators. Although we went there for bpi surgery as opposed to pain mgmt, you might want to put the Mayo Clinic on your short list of clinics for several reasons:
1. They're located relatively close to you in Minnesota.
2. My BCBS-Georgia policy worked with BCBS-Minn to treat all medical expenses as in-network. Out of ~$125,000 in Mayo bills, my out of pocket is only ~$700 (this for a biofeedback unit & training that isn't covered by our policy.)
3. Mayo prices are incredibly competitive - especially as compared to doctors in private practices - because they're actually employees of Mayo & on salary.

There is another poster on these boards (Courtney "cbe411"??) who has used Mayo for pain mgmt. See if you can track her down (or whoever it was).

Good luck & keep us posted.

Ellen

[cbe411]

Hi Matt, this is Courtney, I have spoken with you on the tele and in email. I have not used any pain clinics, I ahve been luck there with very minimal pain. SSorry Ellen I Am not the one you are thinking of........ whoever you are that has used the Mayo Clinic for pain, can you help us out here??
Court

[Matt]

Ellen,
Thanks for all of your insight. After mulling things over for a few days I realized that you are right about the Mayo Clinic. Cincinnatti is closer but I have more faith in Mayo and I shouldn't let the extra distance be a factor in the decision. I have all the info to contact them from their website and will make arrangements this week and will keep you posted.
Thank you very much.
Matt