This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

I wish we had some good answers. Its tiring to always be saying we don't know... Don't worry. We can handle the truth that we're in the early stages of figuring out how to best treat this plumbing problem called CCSVI. I know that I definitely appreciate a doctor admitting that he/she doesn't know ...

I'm still trying to determine if this whole BCBS denial is actually just limited to 1 of the 39 BCBS companies or not. The one being Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield which we do have confirmation on in black and white straight from their website. http://www.empireblue.com/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw...

I got a call earlier today from American Access Care (where I am due to have my second procedure this fall) and they wanted to notify me that Blue Cross Blue Shield has pulled out from covering the procedure because it is experimental. Kathy, When AAC contacted you did they indicate that it was all...

Blue Cross Blue Shield has stopped paying for CCSVI treatment. Cece, can you please verify for all of us whether this is for all 39 independant Blue Cross Blue Shield companies? So far, I have only seen proof that Empire BCBS, which is strictly in 28 eastern and southeastern counties in New York. T...

Just found out that BCBS is no longer covering CCSVI treatments. Wonder why that is the case? BooBear, I am trying to find out if it is all 39 independant BCBS companies. Do you know if it is? Below is a list of all the independant BCBS companies. http://www.bcbs.com/coverage/find/plan/ So far I ha...

I am reading about Blue Cross Blue Shield denying angioplasty for people with MS. But BCBS is actually made up of 39 seperate companies. Below is a link that lists all 39 of them. http://www.bcbs.com/coverage/find/plan/ So far, I have only read about one of them denying the procedure and that is Emp...

Hi griff. Welcome to TIMS. I see you joined a little over a month ago now and your posts always seem to have a consistent theme. Just wondering if you might be so kind as to tell us a few things such as... 1) if you or a loved one has MS and when the diagnosis was 2) when and where you had the proce...

Congratulations fiddler. And thank you stopping back in to give us an update a year after your Liberation procedure.

WeWillBeatMS

Dear Dr. Sclafani: I think you are an amazing teacher. :-) I have been afraid to look at the images and discussions because I know I mix things up and I figured I didn't need more proof of how much I didn't understand, but this time I dared to follow along -- and it makes sense! :-) I was someone w...

The external jugular drains the face and scalp. I do not study these veins and i do not think these veins are the first line of action, perhaps they take on a greater potential when the internal jugular cannot be opened or has clotted off. OK. So which veins are responsible for draining the ears? I...

Good question vivavie. This makes me wonder if the restenosis rates might be affected by which MS drug someone has been on and for how long too. I've been on Tysabri on and off for going on two years now. I wonder if those who are/were on something much less toxic such as LDN or Copaxone are seeing ...

Dr. Sclafani, Are the external jugular veins also tested for CCSVI? I know that they have not proven to be a regular problem but what about for the people like myself who have lost hearing in one ear? And at times even my good ear rings and pops and feels plugged like my bad one does all of the tim...

Dr. Sclafani, Are the external jugular veins also tested for CCSVI? I know that they have not proven to be a regular problem but what about for the people like myself who have lost hearing in one ear? And at times even my good ear rings and pops and feels plugged like my bad one does all of the time...

Dr Sclafani, I'm two weeks out from flying up to Brooklyn for the testing and procedure with you and I'm getting a little concerned (to say the least) about restenosis. What are the restenosis rates that you are seeing for people now? Also, daily I take 2,000 IU D3 daily, 500 MG of DHA (fish oil) N...

That's so great. I'm not even a fan of country music yet I want to go buy his album.

WeWillBeatMS