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Greg-NJ1

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Mis-diagnosed with MM
in 2005, arterial restricion

Posts: 248
Teaneck, NJ
Gender: male

Finally...Insurance agreed to Brain Spect Scan
May 16^th, 2005 at 8:38pm

;

Finally, after three weeks of continuous hone calls, my insurance company finally agreed to the Brain SPECT Scan. My test is now scheduled for Thursday (5/19) afternoon at 3:00. So, I am now one step closer to obtaining something more that a Preliminary diagnosis...now I just need to convince the insurance company to the Cereberal Angiogram....(one step at a time).

For those of you who have had a SPECT scan, can you please provide a few details about the test? How clostrophobic is it? Anything like an MRI? As you can guess, I have extremely small space clostrophoia..

One step closer...I think I might even get a good night sleep tonight.

Thanks again,
Greg

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I was misdiagnosed with MM in March of 2005. In January 2006, I was told it is not MM, but rather a massive restriction in the MC1 segment of my left carotid artery.

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DianeMain Experienced Poster Offline My sister, PatM, has moyamoya. Posts: 126 San Jose, USA, usa, 23, 160, CA, California Gender:	Re: Finally...Insurance agreed to Brain Spect Scan Reply #1 - May 17^th, 2005 at 12:31am Greg, where and with whom?
Back to top	"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us." -- Bill Watterson (1958 - ), cartoonist, "Calvin and Hobbes" IP Logged

STrantas MM.com Benefactor Offline MoyaMoya Survivor Since 2003 Posts: 1154 Philadelphia, USA, usa, 490, 122, PA, Pennsylvania Gender:	Re: Finally...Insurance agreed to Brain Spect Scan Reply #2 - May 17^th, 2005 at 1:24pm Way to go Greg! Keep on fighting! Sounds like you're on the right track....Good Luck to you! -Shari
Back to top	A smile is contagious...start an epidemic! Dr. Scott did my surgeries - 12/29/03 and 1/5/04 IP Logged

tiomasai

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Arriba Arriba!

Posts: 246
Queens, NY,
Gender: female

Re: Finally...Insurance agreed to Brain Spect Scan
Reply #3 - May 18^th, 2005 at 1:51am

Greg:

Please note that I sent you an e-mail via moyamoya.com. I don't always check that account for myself, and I hadn't heard from you so I thought I'd post and let you know in case you hadn't checked your moyamoya e-mail. Write me at my yahoo e-mail account when you get a chance!! Look forward to talking to you!

Trina

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Greg-NJ1

Experienced Poster

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Mis-diagnosed with MM
in 2005, arterial restricion

Posts: 248
Teaneck, NJ
Gender: male

Re: Finally...Insurance agreed to Brain Spect Scan
Reply #4 - May 18^th, 2005 at 1:22pm

Hi all.

I just got the confirmation phone call. The SPECT scan is definately on for tomorrow afternoon at 2:30. I am having the scan done at Hackensack University Medical Center. Dr. Demeritt with be overseeing the reading of the results, as he is the one who originally diagnosed my MM after reviewing the MRI/MRA. Good news is the Dr. Demeritt train at Columbia. Please note that he DOES NOT do any MM surgeries. But, in my case, it was the only way to get the SPECT scan covered. Unfortunately, he does not accept my insurance but has a backdoor way of charging/minimizing the cost.

Also, for those of you who have had SPECT scan, I understand that during the procedure, they inject your with a drug that diolates the blood vessels. What is the importance of having the blood vessels in the brain diolate? Does it help rule out MM?

Thanks,
Greg

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I was misdiagnosed with MM in March of 2005. In January 2006, I was told it is not MM, but rather a massive restriction in the MC1 segment of my left carotid artery.

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tomg Experienced Poster Offline West and wewaxsation at wast. What I crave. Posts: 216 HowellNJ, USA, usa, 499, 119, NJ, New_Jersey Gender:	Re: Finally...Insurance agreed to Brain Spect Scan Reply #5 - May 18^th, 2005 at 1:27pm Hi Greg dont forget to talk to Dr. Connolly if you have any other insurance issues and I'm sure he'll work with you. Take care, Tom
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PatM

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Woodcliff Lake, USA, usa, 498, 109, NJ, New_Jersey
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Re: Finally...Insurance agreed to Brain Spect Scan
Reply #6 - May 18^th, 2005 at 6:16pm

Greg----this is really good news-----let us know how this works out------your doctor, whom you said trained at Columbia, might refer you over there for surgery.....I just had my MRI last week, approximately one year post-surgery, and everything looked good. Dr. Connolly was very pleased.....so best wishes tomorrow....Pat Smiley

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"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."...Jackie Robinson&&Worry looks around....Faith looks up......

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tiomasai Experienced Poster Offline Arriba Arriba! Posts: 246 Queens, NY, Gender:	Re: Finally...Insurance agreed to Brain Spect Scan Reply #7 - May 18^th, 2005 at 11:21pm Hi Greg: Congrats on getting the SPECT scan - good luck tomorrow! I say the hardest part will be sitting in a dark room after they put the dye in and waiting in total quiet for an hour before they scan you! Trina
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Greg-NJ1 Experienced Poster Offline Mis-diagnosed with MM in 2005, arterial restricion Posts: 248 Teaneck, NJ Gender:	Re: Finally...Insurance agreed to Brain Spect Scan Reply #8 - May 19^th, 2005 at 9:26am Hi all
Back to top	I was misdiagnosed with MM in March of 2005. In January 2006, I was told it is not MM, but rather a massive restriction in the MC1 segment of my left carotid artery. IP Logged

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Greg-NJ1

Experienced Poster

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Mis-diagnosed with MM
in 2005, arterial restricion

Posts: 248
Teaneck, NJ
Gender: male

Re: Finally...Insurance agreed to Brain Spect Scan
Reply #9 - May 19^th, 2005 at 9:29am

Hi again.....system glitch launched the other message.

Thank you all for your support on this one. Today, I leave work around 12:30, as I need to be at the hospital at 2:30 for processing. So far, I am slightly nervous and slightly excited to get this test underway, as it brings me one step closer to a final diagnosis. Besides, once this study is complete, I can start arguing with the insurance company about the Cerebral Angiogram....

Humm...1 hour in darkened room. Sounds like I might be taking a nap... ; Grin

Wish me luck...and thanks again for all of your support.
Greg

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I was misdiagnosed with MM in March of 2005. In January 2006, I was told it is not MM, but rather a massive restriction in the MC1 segment of my left carotid artery.

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gotchlorine

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Our daughter, Tara, lives
with MM

Posts: 776
San Jose, USA, usa, 24, 158, CA, California
Gender: female

Re: Finally...Insurance agreed to Brain Spect Scan
Reply #10 - May 19^th, 2005 at 3:13pm

Hi Greg,

Your attitude of "one step at a time" is great . . . otherwise, this whole process can feel pretty daunting. It sounds like you're having the SPECT right now (12:00 pm California time), so I hope you were able to take that nap!

I'll be anxious to read your next post and to hear what they say.

Hugs from out west,
Jill

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Greg-NJ1

Experienced Poster

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Mis-diagnosed with MM
in 2005, arterial restricion

Posts: 248
Teaneck, NJ
Gender: male

Re: Finally...Insurance agreed to Brain Spect Scan
Reply #11 - May 19^th, 2005 at 7:23pm

Hi all

Well, Radioactive Boy is now home from having my SECT study. Man that was the most boring 45 minutes of my life. After they made the injection, the technican kept talking...and man did I want a nap. All that I can say is that it is over, as I am highly clostrophobic and having the camera that close to my face was torture.

Before I left work this afternoon to go to the hospital, one of my coworkers (who is a great friend) gave me the Radioactive Boy nickname. During the whole procedure, I kept thinking about "The Simpsons", as there was an episode with a super hero named Radioactive Man....wouldn't it be cool if we could have temporary super hero powers after having this test.

Unfortunately, they would not comment on the test results, as the Radiologist was with another patient. It looks like I will have to wait until after the Angiogram to find out (as my Neuologist doesn't want to see me until all of the test are complete....unless there is an emergency...).

[color=Blue][/color]Hi Jill...

Thanks for the nice note. I am doing my best to keep a "Glass is Half Full" attitude as much as I can through this, as life is difficult enough without the added stress. Thanks to people like yourself and a lot of help from the "big guy", I am managing. I guess the engineer in me would argue about the 1/2 full & 1/2 empty thing, as the engineer in me would argue something about the container being the wrong size for the amount of liquid...just kidding.

Well, I think I am finally going to take that nap. Have a great evening.

Regards,
Greg

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I was misdiagnosed with MM in March of 2005. In January 2006, I was told it is not MM, but rather a massive restriction in the MC1 segment of my left carotid artery.

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gotchlorine

Old-Time Poster

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Our daughter, Tara, lives
with MM

Posts: 776
San Jose, USA, usa, 24, 158, CA, California
Gender: female

Re: Finally...Insurance agreed to Brain Spect Scan
Reply #12 - May 20^th, 2005 at 1:59am

Hi Greg,

Congrats for getting through the SPECT today! (Not that you wouldn't have, but it's a small piece of the puzzle!) We'll add a request for "no emergencies" to our long list of prayers. Is your angio scheduled, and if it is, when is it?

I think I remember reading in a previous post that you and Olga were taking a mini-vacation to Niagara Falls. Is that this weekend? If so, I hope you have a terrific time. Everyone needs a break, not to mention some beautiful scenery, during times of stress. I would say this qualifies, so whatever you're doing, I hope the weekend is pleasant.

Keep the faith, and don't hesitate to keep asking questions, o.k.?

Warmly,
Jill

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Greg-NJ1

Experienced Poster

Offline

Mis-diagnosed with MM
in 2005, arterial restricion

Posts: 248
Teaneck, NJ
Gender: male

Re: Finally...Insurance agreed to Brain Spect Scan
Reply #13 - May 21^st, 2005 at 9:43am

Hi Jill,

I wish the vacation was this week, as I could use the break from work (and MM if possible). However, the vacation starts next Saturday (Memorial Day Weekend through Thursday) and then it is off to spend time with the family. I can't wait to go, but a little nervious about the driving (about 7 hours each way) and Olga does not drive. Oh well....Still, we are excited to be going.

Have a great weekend,
Greg

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I was misdiagnosed with MM in March of 2005. In January 2006, I was told it is not MM, but rather a massive restriction in the MC1 segment of my left carotid artery.

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sc_girl

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THRIVING not just surviving
since July 2003!

Posts: 26
Greenville, USA, usa, 443, 204, SC, South_Carolina
Gender: female

Re: Finally...Insurance agreed to Brain Spect Scan
Reply #14 - May 21^st, 2005 at 10:42pm

Hi Greg!
Thanks for the reply to my "1 year post surgery anniv." post the other day. Just read about your SPECT scan on Thursday. Not very fun, is it? I know everyone has different after-effects, were you really dizzy? I was increasingly Smiley

dizzy from the SPECT in early April until my surgery in mid May. In fact, by the first week in May, I couldn't even bend my head to read a dinner menu! Smiley

Just curious how it was for you.

Good luck getting the "amazing privelege" of an angiogram. Bet you already know how "fun" that is...nothing like having something jammed into your groin and hot dye shot into your head Smiley

followed by 8 hours flat on your back without being able to lift your head up.

Guess it's all necessary for doctors to prove that you need surgery. Once you get that far, at least there's an end in sight. And that's the best part! ; Grin

Hang in there - like I said, there IS light at the end of the MM tunnel.
Kris (SC girl)

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