The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[speckledhen]

He actually has a fever of over 100* now. Yep, kidney stone. Maybe he doesn't have to go all the way into Atlanta now that he's on Medicare in addition to TriCare for Life. That other surgery was when we had TriCare Prime (which I'm still on). If he doesn't pass it by Monday, he needs to go to the doc, I guess. See? Always something. Two steps forward, ten back.

 

[getaclue]

Sorry he's running fever. Kidney stones are very painful. It's a shame he didn't go to the doctor about it sooner, but better late than never. Hopefully, they can get him patched back up, and he won't be in pain.

 

[1muttsfan]

But a kidney stone obstruction could have happened any time with no cause, so maybe not related to his working. They are just wicked.

 

[speckledhen]

Sorry he's running fever. Kidney stones are very painful. It's a shame he didn't go to the doctor about it sooner, but better late than never. Hopefully, they can get him patched back up, and he won't be in pain.

There's really no reason to jump to the dr every time his back hurts. It hurts all the time, never quits. It just goes from "normal" hurting to worse hurting to excruciating hurting. He has no disc material in some locations, very little in others so he's in chronic pain. This kicked into overdrive. He didn't realize it was a kidney stone until yesterday, but even then, he doesn't go unless it seems it won't pass or move into a less painful location. I realize many people our age live to go to the dr and talk about their ailments. Neither of us want to be like that. We just power on, but I just want him to admit he has to get someone else to do heavy work on occasion, even if we have to pay them a little something for it.

But a kidney stone obstruction could have happened any time with no cause, so maybe not related to his working. They are just wicked.

That is true. It just coincided with the intense bouncing and jerking of the mower over that period of time. Our pasture is not truly level. There are ridges and places the mower gets stuck and he has to sway it with his body to get it unstuck. Stupid mower is almost new, big 22 HP motor, but doesn't work as well as our old Yard Machine that blew a rod in the engine after 20 years.

 

[getaclue]

speckled, I'm not suggesting either of you live to go to the doctor, but there are times when they're a necessary evil. Has he been to a neurologist? Would ADR be an option for him? Not all neurologists are qualified to do ADR, but find one that is, and talk to them. My daughter had it done recently, as a result of a car accident. She was in constant pain, had lost feeling in her arm and fingers on one side. Now, she's pain free, and got the feeling back on that side. The recovery time isn't too bad either. It sounds scary, but it's really not bad. It could make a significant impact on both his, and your quality of life.

 

[speckledhen]

Would ADR be an option for him?

I have no idea what that is. He has consulted an orthopedic surgeon who told him nothing could be done, that pain was his future. We are limited by what insurance will pay for. If Medicare and Tricare will not pay for it, he won't do it and I'm the same way. Physical therapy is useless because it has to do with muscles. He has no disc material, bone against bone. No therapy will fix that.

 

[1muttsfan]

know not everyone is inclined to elect therapies other than surgery or medicine, but I would very much recommend that he seek out a good acupuncturist. It does not always work but when it does it is amazing, and it has zero chance of causing further harm.

 

[speckledhen]

know not everyone is inclined to elect therapies other than surgery or medicine, but I would very much recommend that he seek out a good acupuncturist. It does not always work but when it does it is amazing, and it has zero chance of causing further harm.

I don't even have to ask, he won't do that because insurance doesn't pay for it. He definitely doesn't think chiropractic has any value, since it has no bearing on his missing discs. He's thought about it all, I know.

 

[getaclue]

ADR is artificial disc replacement, and as I said, there are a limited number of doctors that are qualified to do the procedure. What they do is remove the damaged disc, and put in a new artificial disc that functions much like the original one. When they put the new disc(s) in, it aligns the spine to it's correct position, therefore un-pinching the nerves. I'd call Medicare, and Tricare to get a list of their neurosurgeon and/or orthopedic surgeon practitioners, and call them to see if any of them does the procedure, then get an appointment. Talk to your primary care physician about it. They may be able to recommend one. Even if Medicare or Tricare won't pay for the entire thing, they will usually pick up the tests, hospital or surgical center bill, anesthesia, etc., so it could be within your means to pay the remaining cost(s). My daughter's insurance wouldn't pay for it to be done in the hospital, but paid for it to be done at a surgical center, which was much cheaper, and just as good.

 

[speckledhen]

I asked Tom. He said the ortho surgeon and he talked about it and the guy said in most cases, it doesn't work, so he was not very positive about it in his case. Plus, if it's more than just fusing, which also doesn't work and many insurance companies are no longer paying for that, Tom is too afraid to be paralyzed during surgery. He will not live in a wheelchair, he's said on numerous occasions. At least, he is still on his feet most of the time, albeit in pain.