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Covid may be messing with my DRG Trial
Neuropathy | Last Active: Jun 25, 2020 | Replies (75)Comment receiving replies
@lorirenee1 Awesome!! I remember how wonderful it felt when I had the scs trial. I think that it was 80% improvement for me. I'd forgotten how it felt to have that low level pain. After my implant I had to wait for several weeks before the rep turned the stimulator on, because it doesn't work to do it until the scar tissue is healed. I wonder if that's not an issue with the DRG.
You know what I've been through with severe major depression and suicidal ideation. That was before the pn started, so I wasn't having to deal with chronic pain that never stops. Every night, after I set out my morning pills and take the bedtime ones, I have a conscious thought: "You closed the medicine cabinet without taking an overdose. Good decision." Let me tell you, there are nights when I really want to take a whole bottle full of pain medication. I haven't acted on it for 2 or 3 years.
Congratulations on sticking with it, even though you weren't sure the DRG would work. Dealing with a 50% pain reduction will be less stressful to manage.
I'm seeing the neurospecialist on the 26th to talk about the DRG. Having you do a demo is going to help me with the decision. She told me at my appointment last fall that she wanted me to pursue every option before going ahead with the DRG, because she said it's a last resort treatment. Not sure if I like that, and not sure if I agree with her.
Have a restful night. No chocolate chip ice cream for me, but I'm enjoying the rhubarb crisp my wife made me for father's day. Tonight I'm going to put sliced and sugared strawberries and heavy cream on it. Yum.
I believe in miracles. Wouldn't this be a great time to experience one!
Jim
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@jimhd and of course, to all my Pain Warriors: Hi Jim, So good to hear from you! First, although the DRG is sometimes mentioned as a stimulator of last resort, that is just words. Do not become frightened of words. The DRG targets focal pain below the waist. Pain that is very specific to one spot. My DRG trial ended yesterday, and believe me, without it, my pain is amped up again. That is the real testimonial to how it worked! It is very hard to put percentages on pain. I know that I felt better with it, for sure. I know that once it is put in me, it is turned on immediately. There is no waiting for healing of the area. However, for about 2 weeks, there will be talking to ABBOTT reps again to get the electricity just right. Therefore, for a few weeks, I may not get relief as they calibrate the electricity. It also has about a 6 weeks healing time from the surgery. As we age, this is not easy. I am prepared to do everything to try and regain my strength, including physical therapy if necessary. However, I have been to physical therapy twice in the last two years, and have an arsenal of things to do at home. This is serious business. I will definitely have to do anaerobic and aerobic exercise to get fit again. As far as suicide, Jim, I understand. I have utterly no history of suicidal ideation. But PAIN so great made it happened naturally. I even know exactly what med works, if I wanted to commit the deed. I did not want to take a bottle of pills, and wake up as some sort of vegetable, although I do like vegetables very much. Especially baby French green beans. My real love of life is what stops me. My life is precious. PAIN is despairing. Remember that you have refrained from your bottle of pills. At your core, Jim, you love life, too. You just get desperate for relief. Man, do I understand. You know, that rhubarb crisp sounds delicious. I love anything with good fruit inside. I am a sucker for a good fruit pie, of any kind. My favorite. And if I eat just a taste of the crust, the calories are not too bad. My love and hopes for you on the 26th. Like I said, do not be afraid of words. They just float into the air. Even the ones inside your head; let them float away if they are not good words. Do not let them over take you. God bless, and keep us posted about your appointment. Love, Lori