Today I had an appointment with my doctor at the Jefferson Headache Center. Not much has changed as far as my headaches go, and they pretty much are down to their last 2 options.
They told me at my last visit that they wanted to try Botox injections. We ran it thru my insurance, and found out that they would cover 80% of the procedure costs, but 0% on the actual Botox medication.... which would cost me almost $1100. Not something we can swing at the moment.
At today's appointment she mentioned again the idea of the occiptal nerve stimulator. If you don't recall, this is a device that is implanted in me, and has wires that are attached to a battery and a control. When I start getting a headache, I can adjust the device so that it gives off little electrical shocks to my occipital nerve, and hopefully it would help my headache go away. She said that some insurances are starting to cover it, but that the surgery costs about $50,000. WOW! I thought I misunderstood and that she meant $15000, but Stephanie was in the room with me and says that she said $50K.
They gave me a referral to a pain management doctor there, who I'll go see about getting a trial version of the stimulator. I would wear it a week or so, and if it helps, then they'd implant the permanent device. This doctor is also who I'll find out from information on whether my insurance will cover any of the costs.
We're hoping and praying that insurance will cover the majority of the costs, or if they don't that maybe they can set it up as a clinical trial sort of thing that wouldn't cost me anything. I will keep you all updated as to what we find out from this visit!
Thanks for continuing to pray with/for us!
1 comment:
A friend in my Sunday school class recently had the implant tested (for one week - apparently the insurance requires it for a period of time) and has since had the implant placed as a permanent fixture to relieve back pain. He told me that although the pain wasn't totally gone it made his back tolerable to the point that he can do most anything that he wants. You can see him "fidget" a little setting in class, but he is jovial and seems changed (he can now concentrate on class) from the time he was having pain. We'll hold you in our prayers.
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