Spasmodic Dysphonia Bulletin Board

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Posted by: Janell ® 10/20/2005, 02:08:00

I just found this BB so this is my first post. I have been receiving treatments for SD from the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale for several years. My employer recently switched insurance companies and Mayo Clinic is no longer an in network provider. I'm not sure I can continue treatment there with what I will have to pay out of pocket. In looking at the providers on this web-site I found a Dr. Jeffrey Gitt who also provides botox injections. Has anyone used Dr. Gitt for botox injections?

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Re: AZ Dr's Re: AZ Dr's -- Janell Top of thread Archive Posted by: steveweiss ® 10/21/2005, 21:18:40 Dr. Bansberg just told me Dr. Gitt is not doing these injections any longer. Was told by someone else there is a doc in Tucson who does them and gets good results. If you want to contact me I'll try to find his name. | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: AZ Dr's Re: AZ Dr's -- Janell Top of thread Archive Posted by: Wilma P Myers ® 10/21/2005, 22:33:03 Janell. Where do you live? I go to Dr. A. J. Emami in Tucson with the Southern Arizona Ear Nose and Throat. 520-792-2170. They are bringing another Dr. familiar with SD soon. There are very few Dr's in our area familiar with SD. I have talked to the Mayo Clinic Office, but they would not accept my Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Medicare. I was very surprised. I know many other SD persons.Email me if you want more info. Botox does not always help me because of the RLN surgery I had in 1985. I have had 4 implants of collagen, and they did not work either. I am considering an implant on the outside of the bowed vocal cord to make it straighten up. Good luck! Wilma SD/AD/ in Green Valley. AZ wpm7@cox.net Modified by Wilma P Myers at Fri, Oct 21, 2005, 22:34:12 | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: AZ Dr's Re: AZ Dr's -- Janell Top of thread Archive Posted by: Laura K/H ® 10/22/2005, 01:10:29 I live in Phoenix, however, I use Dr. Emami in Tucson. He is great. I have AB and the injections work pretty well for me. However, they only last about 4 months. Dr. Emami is very specialized in voice disorders. | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: AZ Dr's Re: Re: AZ Dr's -- Laura K/H Top of thread Archive Posted by: steveweiss ® 10/22/2005, 22:18:58 Dr. Emani is the name that was given to me. Comes highly recommended. | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: AZ Dr's Re: Re: AZ Dr's -- steveweiss Top of thread Archive Posted by: Janell ® 10/24/2005, 01:27:11 Thanks for the responses to this. My insurance tells me there is a Dr. Traikovich that does the treatment. He is a cosmetic surgeon and only does botox once every 3 months. I usually need a treatment every 4 months. Does anyone know if there are any effects from having treatment more often than needed? Janell | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: AZ Dr's Re: Re: AZ Dr's -- Janell Top of thread Archive Posted by: Laurie ® 10/24/2005, 13:30:14 Hi, Janell. It's interesting that your insurance is referring you to a cosmetic surgeon for botox injections for SD. Are you sure this doctor administers botox into the larynx (as most cosmetic surgeons only give botox for cosmetic reasons). I guess anything is possible, but most SD patients are usually treated by a neurologist or ENT. Laurie | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: AZ Dr's Re: Re: AZ Dr's -- Laurie Top of thread Archive Posted by: Janell ® 10/25/2005, 02:46:21 He is supposedly an ENT as well as a plastic surgeon. When I called I was pretty specific as to the treatment I needed. Janell | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: AZ Dr's Re: Re: AZ Dr's -- Janell Top of thread Archive Posted by: Tommyinme ® 10/26/2005, 22:40:01 Hi Janell. My SD started when I was on active duty in the U.S.Air Force. The VA now pays for my Botox injections. This may or may not be helpful to you. Tommy in Maine | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: AZ Dr's Re: AZ Dr's -- Janell Top of thread Archive Posted by: Wilma P Myers ® 10/24/2005, 18:17:24 Janell, I agree with Laurie about going to a cosmetic surgeon. There can sometimes be problems with administering the Botox injections. I would go to an ENT or an Otolaryngologist, who is very familiar with the proceedure. I have had AD/SD since 1985. RLN surgery, big mistake, and 4 implants. Do not take a risk! I was diagnosed at NIH. I have had Botox from many Dr.'s and even some of the ones who are supposed to be 'experts' may have a problem with the injections.. You can email me at wpm7@cox.net for more info. Wilma SD/AD/RLN in Green Valley, AZ | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page Re: AZ Dr's Re: AZ Dr's -- Janell Top of thread Archive Posted by: gailee ® 11/05/2005, 19:35:03 My insurance doesn't cover Mayo Clinic either. However, I was able to provide lots of documentation and now they pay my Mayo Clinic charges at 80% which represents in-network coverage rather than out-of-network coverage which would be 60%. I think most insurance companies accept that Botox injections is the preferred treatment for SD. There are very few places or doctors that provide this treatment. Most insurance companies will cover Mayo if its within 25 miles of your home. If you live in Phoenix, Tucson is not within the specified mileage. Good luck!!! Be patient and very persistent ---- it will work out!!!! | Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original message Top of thread Current page