31 replies to this topic

[Irenec]

Do you still go to your spinal unit hospital for check ups?
Do they do much for you?
Or do you feel its a waste of time?
How far away do you live from the unit?

[ems]

Not been for years.. and its only 1.5 hours away
I'm not spending a day up there to be told that nothing has changed every year! If I have something wrong, I can speak to them at any time!

[Apparelyzed]

I can ring my spinal unit (Sheffield) up, and know they'll get me in ASAP if I have an urgent problem.

The spinal unit does recommend that you get an ultrasound of your kidneys every 2-3 years to check for any renal problems.

Regards

Simon

[nomis]

In NZ we have two spinal units. We used to get called in for regular check-ups at one of the units - many years ago it'd mean staying a week! Nowadays, its common to pop along to your local hospital every two years for kidney ultrasound, etc.

[Nichole]

I went back to the hospital where i was at (which had a small spinal unit) and i only went back once after i was released. I went back about 2 months after i was released and told them/showed them some of the movement and feeling i was getting back and they pretty much told me i was wasting my time trying because they said i was a "complete". It was like they were angry that they were wrong about me being a complete! Well since i left that day wanting to punch someone in the face i haven't been back since then. They tried to call me once or twice and i just had a lot of unpleasant things to say to them so they left me be. I just get a regular old physical with my doc, see my physical therapist from time to time if i'm having a problem, and my doc does send me to get that kidney scan thing about once every 2 years.

[carole338]

I haven’t been back since I was released from out-patient rehab in Oct. 2007. I go to my regular doctor every 3 months or so for blood tests and regulating my meds. I also go to an orthopedic when I fall. I find going to a doctor’s office rather than the hospital is a lot quicker and more thorough.

I really should go to my physiotherapist, as recommended every year, but it is an hour away and someone has to take me. I'm not sure what the benefit will be if I go.

[BillS]

I go every couple of years so that my Doctor will still sign off on my insurance papers for wheelchair parts/repair/etc... She once called me up and to let me know she wasn't going to sign the forms until I came in to see her.

My Doctor will look me over, check for pressure sores, check flexibility and spasticity, talk about how things are going and asks about other medical issues. Overall nothing really happens during the exam. I'm 31 years post injury and I've got everything worked out fairly well.

I live about 4 miles from the hospital though so I really don't have any excuse for not going over there.

Overall I'm getting pretty tired of seeing doctors. I've got a general practitioner I see for cholesterol every 6 months. A urologist who wants to see me once or twice a year. A neurologist who gets an MRI and visit every year to monitor my syringomyelia. A doctor who sees me once a year to keep track of my scoliosis. And of course the standard Dentist visits 2-3 times a year.

[carole338]

BillS, I haven't considered medical insurance for wheelchair parts and repairs. I never checked what my insurance will cover as far as tires, etc. I'm pretty new at this going on two years and need all the advice I can get.

[BillS]

I've got Blue Cross/Blue Shield from my work and it covers things like tires and other parts. But I've never filled out the paperwork myself. I go to my local wheelchair sales/repair place and just tell them what I need. They fill out the paperwork and bill me for the amount the insurance company doesn't cover.

BCBS used to be really great. I could get a new wheelchair every 2 years and they'd pay for 80% of it. Now a days they're a pain in the butt to deal with and they want to repair instead of replace my chair. Of course that makes it more likely to break again while I'm out and about, a new chair is usually more reliable then a repaired chair. I'm not sure what the policy is right now but it's at least 4 years between chairs and maybe even 6.

carole338, on Nov 11 2008, 11:12 AM, said:

BillS, I haven't considered medical insurance for wheelchair parts and repairs. I never checked what my insurance will cover as far as tires, etc. I'm pretty new at this going on two years and need all the advice I can get.

[Texas Angel Ang]

I haven't been to a spinal cord injury unit in about five years! When I lived in Houston I had a physical medicine doctor that was doing experimental drugs that was not approved by the FDA. Needless to say HealthSouth got a new administrator and she was out!

I also had to start paying for my own insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield, that has its ups and downs. But I am in the process of looking for some type of SCI unit in the Dallas area due to pain.

I usually just go to my regular doctor and if it's anything MAJOR, ambulance rides are always fun... I do get my blood checked at least once a year but as far as physical SCI stuff... haven't done it.

[Tinbasher]

Yep I still go back every 4 to 5 years all the way to Stoke Mandeville which is about a 300 mile round trip for me. I really value the connection I have with Stoke and my Consultant Dr Alison Graham.

I know I can ring them at any time but I like the check up from people who know me and who have my history to hand.

Tin

[catmint]

I agree with Tinbasher. The help we have got from Stoke over the years has been invaluable. Any problems I can ring out patients or his consultants secretary. They have been great in contacting our new GP/PCT on our behalf (we moved recently). During the last few years my husband has had a lot of health problems and operations not all at Stoke. They were a lifeline for me trying to sort things out in a general hospital that pays lip service to the needs of a SCI person.

My husband has an annual check up.We also travel almost a 300 mile round trip.

My advice to new ones would be to use it or lose it. Trust me you do not want to spend any time in a general hospital.(IMO.!)

[graphic]

I go back every December for a check up, mainly blood tests and ultrasound. I also see my urologist annualy but been seeing her every six months for the last couple of years because of ongoing problems. I'd rather keep in touch because then it's easier to pick up on any problems early...hopefully.

[Tinbasher]

catmint, on Nov 12 2008, 11:21 AM, said:

Trust me you do not want to spend any time in a general hospital.(IMO.!)

How very very true!!

[dom]

Tinbasher, on Nov 11 2008, 10:26 PM, said:

Yep I still go back every 4 to 5 years all the way to Stoke Mandeville which is about a 300 mile round trip for me. I really value the connection I have with Stoke and my Consultant Dr Alison Graham.

I know I can ring them at any time but I like the check up from people who know me and who have my history to hand.

Tin

hi tin yes i go and its also 300 mile round trip for me to stoke but i think it would come in handy if anything went wrong seriously, i like to be on their books so to speak, sometimes it does seem a waste of time though

[dancin' johnny]

It's funny this topic should come up, I overslept and missed my yearly appointment in Sheffield yesterday.

To be honest they have put it back and back so often I felt like I was getting my own back by not turning up!

{I was told by a certain professional there, that if I had my fractured neck of femur fixed in the private sector I would not be welcome back
if I encountered any problems with it in the future. Surgeons treating me like a customer taking their car to a rival garage makes me uneasy!}

I agree with the 'use it or lose it statement', but if the NHS gets anymore underfunded I think we will anyway.

"use it while you still have it!", he scaremongered.

I'd best ring them tomorrow/today and grovel.

Edited by dancin' johnny, 13 November 2008 - 04:36 AM.

[wheeliebear75]

I haven't been to Sharp Hospital for a check up in YEARS. I have a neurologist that I see once in a very blue moon, last time I saw them was probably 2004 and I haven't had a reason really. My general handles pretty much everything.......but I'm not a complete so maybe that's the key. I know my films of my head and spine are always sent OUT for double checking since my docs don't claim to be the pros. Even a person with NO medical knowledge can see my spine doesn't line up correctly.......and maybe I should go.......I could easily make an appointment and get seen.......I for some reason just don't.

[cosmosmallpiece]

I had ultrasound on Monday but the doctors appontment was cancelled.

[jane]

I have an annual visit to Sheffield.

To be honest, i don't mind, even though it takes me a couple of hours to get there, due a kidney scan next time.

Jane

[turbotet]

I go for a IVP every 2 yrs-ish to my local SIU its only about 20 miles from me.

[curbyi]

I go every year or so and if i have a issue they are contactable via phone or email really quickly.

[Murray]

First week of care after the fall was at Sutter/Roseville, Sacramento, CA. Shipped to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center for month's rehab.
Went to SCVMC for visit not long ago, but never have set up an appt with the neurologist & osteopathic surgical team that did my back.
Have a primary physician here in town (Placerville, CA); a neurologist; urologist; osteopathic specialist. Everything seems to work fine as is.
In my case, the way I developed my independence almost precluded my returning to any place I had "grown" out of. Probably a peculiar combo of pride, fear, a little anger as my rehab was a wash.

[AdiTrax]

Tinbasher, on Nov 12 2008, 10:09 PM, said:

catmint, on Nov 12 2008, 11:21 AM, said:

Trust me you do not want to spend any time in a general hospital.(IMO.!)

How very very true!!

Yes it ought to be part of rehab, to get shipped off to a general hospital while you are well enough to deal with it.

I think i'm on yearly visits to Pinders now, we combine it with a visit to the ward and wind up the OTs.

[dom]

dom, on Nov 12 2008, 11:13 PM, said:

Tinbasher, on Nov 11 2008, 10:26 PM, said:

Yep I still go back every 4 to 5 years all the way to Stoke Mandeville which is about a 300 mile round trip for me. I really value the connection I have with Stoke and my Consultant Dr Alison Graham.

I know I can ring them at any time but I like the check up from people who know me and who have my history to hand.

Tin

hi tin yes i go and its also 300 mile round trip for me to stoke but i think it would come in handy if anything went wrong seriously, i like to be on their books so to speak, sometimes it does seem a waste of time though

YES ON MY LAST TRIP IT WAS A WASTE OF TIME!!! THEY LOST MY RECORDS,DOC SAID 'WE DID A GOOD JOB OF YOUR BACK'!! I TOLD HIM CHATHAM HOSPITAL DID MY BACK!!

[Jax]

Murray, on Nov 19 2008, 01:52 PM, said:

First week of care after the fall was at Sutter/Roseville, Sacramento, CA. Shipped to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center for month's rehab.
Went to SCVMC for visit not long ago, but never have set up an appt with the neurologist & osteopathic surgical team that did my back.
Have a primary physician here in town (Placerville, CA); a neurologist; urologist; osteopathic specialist. Everything seems to work fine as is.
In my case, the way I developed my independence almost precluded my returning to any place I had "grown" out of. Probably a peculiar combo of pride, fear, a little anger as my rehab was a wash.

I understand the rehab being a wash! I was at Scott and White hospital in Temple, Texas. The spine surgeon and urologist there are awesome, but the "rehab" is crap. Their "rehab" only keeps about 4 SCI patients per year, with the rest being sent out to real SCI rehabs. Unfortunately, I was one of those four that yr. They did not have any way of helping me get a wheelchair, and they actually said that if I wanted a wheelchair to go home in, I needed to find one because they were not a vendor. I get that they are not a vendor, but not setting patients up with an OT for a wheelchair evaluation says "We have no clue what we are doing." For this, and many more reasons, I will not go back to see the rehab doctor there. I check in with my ortho once a yr, and my urologist every six months (I have an artificial urinary sphincter). I did happen to see my rehab doctor in the hall once, and he said something about me looking like I was doing well, to which I responded "Yup, despite having you for a doctor, I'm doing pretty well." He looked kind of shocked, and I just rolled away. I got a letter from the head of the "rehab" department a few weeks later saying that they would not continue to serve me if I continued my "rude and unacceptable behavior." I sent a letter in response and thanked them for their concern, and telling them their "services" were no longer necessary, as I am not a masochist.

[Scribbler]

Apparelyzed, on Nov 11 2008, 09:52 AM, said:

I can ring my spinal unit (Sheffield) up, and know they'll get me in ASAP if I have an urgent problem.

The spinal unit does recommend that you get an ultrasound of your kidneys every 2-3 years to check for any renal problems.

Regards

Simon

You must be lucky Simon or know someone high up.

I've been almost dying and still had to wait months to get in Sheffield.

I've also had my check-ups postponed 3 times by a few months. I was supposed to go last month but received a letter informing me it had been postpond until June. February to June is a long time.

Its about 57 miles from here, which I don't mind; its easier to get to than Lodge More was.

Scrib's

[Zammo]

Tinbasher, on Nov 11 2008, 10:26 PM, said:

Yep I still go back every 4 to 5 years all the way to Stoke Mandeville which is about a 300 mile round trip for me. I really value the connection I have with Stoke and my Consultant Dr Alison Graham.

I know I can ring them at any time but I like the check up from people who know me and who have my history to hand.

Tin

Dr Graham is my consultant too. She's very nice. I live in Northampton so Stoke Mandeville is only about 45 mins to 1 hour away for me. I also go to a neuro clinic at Oxford Radcliffe every 12 months, and that one is totally pointless.

[Scribbler]

Nichole, on Nov 11 2008, 01:39 PM, said:

I just get a regular old physical with my doc.

Lucky Doc Nochole....

[dom]

Zammo, on Mar 3 2009, 12:46 PM, said:

Tinbasher, on Nov 11 2008, 10:26 PM, said:

Yep I still go back every 4 to 5 years all the way to Stoke Mandeville which is about a 300 mile round trip for me. I really value the connection I have with Stoke and my Consultant Dr Alison Graham.

I know I can ring them at any time but I like the check up from people who know me and who have my history to hand.

Tin

Dr Graham is my consultant too. She's very nice. I live in Northampton so Stoke Mandeville is only about 45 mins to 1 hour away for me. I also go to a neuro clinic at Oxford Radcliffe every 12 months, and that one is totally pointless.

mine is mr derry

[silone74]

Hi i have a check up every year and they do my bladder scan the same day as to keep my travel down but to be honest all i do is sit in the room for 5 mins then go on y way until the next yearly visit they just ask if everything if ok an i say yes thats about it but i am going to be asking alot more questions this time as i am there near the end of the month,i go to pinderfields they are not bad with getting the appointments all in the same day for me,i dont go back on the ward i spent enough time there when i was recovering i just go see the doc then get out of there.


Si