Denise, yes, I know what you mean. I was considered "mild" when I was a
teenager, but not any longer. My diagnosis even went from diplegia to
quadriplegia. *sigh* I have tendonitis and the start of carpel tunnel from
using forearm crutches and pushing a wheelchair, PLUS my hands, which never
were really affected when I was in school are now VERY affected. Anyways, I
know the pump isn't the right choice for everyone, and it may not be the
right choice for me after I talk to the doctor today. :)

Meditronics website said 90 days? ACK! Their printed material says 4-6
weeks. I'll go look at their website again, and make sure I ask Dr. Losier
what the actual time is. I know that I won't be getting the test dose of
baclofen today, even if they wanted to. I have to work tonight, and I don't
have 6-8 hours to be observed. :)

I've never heard of Atrivan (sp) that you're taking. What exactly does it
do? Relax spasticity?

Yeah, I'm on Medicare Part A... I'm looking into supplimental insurance
BEFORE this surgery because I know that hospitals will try to bill you for
things Medicare doesn't cover even though they aren't supposed to. If I
added myself to my husband's medical insurance, we'd be paying $70 extra a
WEEK for my being on it. I'm hoping supplimental insurance is cheaper than
that.

Dana

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********

On 5/10/99, at 1:06 PM, Denise D. Goodman wrote:

>Dana said, "According to Dr. Lowser (the doctor that installs the ITB)'s
>office,  Medicare takes care of ALL the costs of the surgery and the
refills
>every 4-6 weeks. (Where did you get 90 days?)"
>
>I assume you are referring to Medicare Part A.  I keep forgetting I even
have
>Medicare Part A, because my husband's insurance is used as our primary
>insurance.  I'm always leary when the Doctor's office says Medicare will
>cover ALL costs.  My grandparent's on both sides, before their deaths
after
>lengthly illnesses, were told everything is "covered" by Medicare.
>Everything of course except deductibles and whatever else the hospital and
>doctors decide to bill you for that medicare does not cover.  I was always
>under the impression the whole reason you bought supplemental insurance
was
>so that it picked up the rest of the tab, Medicare didn't cover.  Again, I
>haven't done the research, so I can't say beyond a resonable doubt if my
>assumption is correct.
>
>As to where I got the figure "90 Days," this is a direct quote from the
>Medtronic Therapies & Products Web Site.   The company that manufacters
the
>ITB pump.  And I quote, "Q: Does the pump run out of medication?  A:  The
>medication in the pump can last up to 90 days, depending on your dose."
>
>Dana said, "As for FDA approval, there are YEARS of human trials before
the
>FDA
>approves anything."  Yes of course.  The ITB has been, "used in thousands
of
>patients since 1984."  But the approval was only obtained three of four
years
>ago.
>
>I think any GP who says talk to 10 peope who have the device is a wise
>doctor.  For me personally, after reading tons of literature (side
effects,
>the actuall installation in the belly, possibilty if it showing through
the
>clothes, etc), ,I don't think this if for me.
>My cp has always been considered "mild."  I do have very bad days, but
then I
>have good days too.  I'm currently trying to ease off of the oral
Baclofen.
>I think with the proper dose of Ativan and adding some swim therapy to my
>routine, I'll be in much better shape.  Perhaps if my condition
deteriorates
>in the future and oral meds aren't effective, I'll recondsider the pump.
For
>now, at least, I'm going to table the project :D
>
>Thanks to all who have helped me reach this decision.  And Dana, I wish
you
>luck whatever you decide.  The important thing to remember is we are all
>individuals and what works for some, may not work for others.  Our goal,
>however is the same, optimum utilization of our individual physical
ability.
>- Sincerely:  Denise.