Well ... went to the VA this morning as part of the annual poke and prod. Went Monday for the Labs.
The doc said I was in pretty good shape (for an old fat fart ... my words). All of the labs were in the normal range. Blood pressure was 120 over 78 with a pulse of 72. I even lost 3 pounds since last year (at this rate, I'm gonna die an old fat fart, could of been worse, didn't gain three ...
). She then set it up for questions and concerns.
I brought up the ever increasing pain in my back and was a bit shocked at the response. Apparently, Our president's programs have ramped up the VA's response to a Vets request for help.
My new plan starts with the least invasive treatment and then progresses as the I feels it is needed.
The basic problem with this plan is that if you wait for step one to be done, then schedule step two, you're libel to not out live the plan. Each step is approximately 1-3 months out depending on supply and demand. So, the Doctor (at least mine does) asks for all of them to be scheduled at once (except actual surgery which requires a surgical; consult), then when I think I've had enough. I cancel what I don't think I need. Seems very efficient for the patient, but, a little cumbersome for the hospital ... :Shrug:
So, here are the steps I'll being going through in the order I'm supposed to do them based on severity of treatment and availability of scheduling:
Rx Grade Lidocaine Patches for the back ... ordered today, should be here in a week or two. Good for 10-14 days of relief.
Appointment with the wellness clinic for further pain management ... Scheduled for 01/20/21.
MRI ... request for scheduling sent ... takes about 3-5 weeks to get in.
Physical Therapy ... Based on the results of the MRI (already had X-rays, all of my lumbar vertebrae are collapsed) ... takes about a week after MRI results.
Surgery Consult ... expect to see a surgeon within three weeks of the MRI results ... this will be a consultation to determine risk/reward possibility of the surgery.
Surgery ... usually about 2-3 weeks after consult for the back surgery.
Post surgical therapy ... if there is surgery, starts within 24 hours of surgery.
Pretty impressive when you figure it took me three years to get the first knee replaced and 15 months later for the second.
Disclaimer here ... Should be noted, I've had 24 operations and I am not looking forward to anymore. Having said that, if the surgeon is pretty confident that he could provide relief, without too many limitations post operative, I'd risk it. For example, if I could walk, sit and do minor mechanical stuff, with little to no pain, I'd be in.
The other thing I asked about was some routine podiatry care. I get, and always have, pretty nasty callouses on my feet that crack and bleed if I don't keep them at bay. Since the knee replacements, it's getting harder and harder to keep the "Elephant Skin" from forming (might be hindered by my belly as well :AGGHH. Getting the Dremel tool to the heels is getting harder and harder. So I asked if the VA where I live has a podiatry clinic. It does. And as part of the Trump programs, it's one of the 6 direct dial clinics. That means the vet can just call and make an appointment, no consult from the primary doctor required. I called and my first treatment is 01/19/21. Audiology is now one of the six also.
All in all ... It was a good morning ... God willing, I just might make it another year ... LOL
The doc said I was in pretty good shape (for an old fat fart ... my words). All of the labs were in the normal range. Blood pressure was 120 over 78 with a pulse of 72. I even lost 3 pounds since last year (at this rate, I'm gonna die an old fat fart, could of been worse, didn't gain three ...
). She then set it up for questions and concerns.I brought up the ever increasing pain in my back and was a bit shocked at the response. Apparently, Our president's programs have ramped up the VA's response to a Vets request for help.
My new plan starts with the least invasive treatment and then progresses as the I feels it is needed.
The basic problem with this plan is that if you wait for step one to be done, then schedule step two, you're libel to not out live the plan. Each step is approximately 1-3 months out depending on supply and demand. So, the Doctor (at least mine does) asks for all of them to be scheduled at once (except actual surgery which requires a surgical; consult), then when I think I've had enough. I cancel what I don't think I need. Seems very efficient for the patient, but, a little cumbersome for the hospital ... :Shrug:
So, here are the steps I'll being going through in the order I'm supposed to do them based on severity of treatment and availability of scheduling:
Rx Grade Lidocaine Patches for the back ... ordered today, should be here in a week or two. Good for 10-14 days of relief.
Appointment with the wellness clinic for further pain management ... Scheduled for 01/20/21.
MRI ... request for scheduling sent ... takes about 3-5 weeks to get in.
Physical Therapy ... Based on the results of the MRI (already had X-rays, all of my lumbar vertebrae are collapsed) ... takes about a week after MRI results.
Surgery Consult ... expect to see a surgeon within three weeks of the MRI results ... this will be a consultation to determine risk/reward possibility of the surgery.
Surgery ... usually about 2-3 weeks after consult for the back surgery.
Post surgical therapy ... if there is surgery, starts within 24 hours of surgery.
Pretty impressive when you figure it took me three years to get the first knee replaced and 15 months later for the second.
Disclaimer here ... Should be noted, I've had 24 operations and I am not looking forward to anymore. Having said that, if the surgeon is pretty confident that he could provide relief, without too many limitations post operative, I'd risk it. For example, if I could walk, sit and do minor mechanical stuff, with little to no pain, I'd be in.
The other thing I asked about was some routine podiatry care. I get, and always have, pretty nasty callouses on my feet that crack and bleed if I don't keep them at bay. Since the knee replacements, it's getting harder and harder to keep the "Elephant Skin" from forming (might be hindered by my belly as well :AGGHH
. Getting the Dremel tool to the heels is getting harder and harder. So I asked if the VA where I live has a podiatry clinic. It does. And as part of the Trump programs, it's one of the 6 direct dial clinics. That means the vet can just call and make an appointment, no consult from the primary doctor required. I called and my first treatment is 01/19/21. Audiology is now one of the six also.All in all ... It was a good morning ... God willing, I just might make it another year ... LOL
