Update on my DRG stimulator Implant. Implanted 12 days ago.

@lorirenee1 I just read this Im so sorry to hear it isnt given the relieve by now Calk your Dr. if your legs give you more problems I dont think those wires should be bothering you

@lorirenee1 I'm sorry about your outcome thus far Lori. 🙁

Hi all my Neuropathy Warriors! Back to give the latest input on my DRG stimulator. It's not working well, at all. I am still in a lot of pain, and in general, if it continues this way, it was not worth doing. I keep hearing my Doc say that it can take a few months to get it right, but I know they have not gotten it right so far. I can also add some weird leg sensations to the mix, a throbbing lower back where the wires are, general weakness from surgery still. I am due for the Pain Doc on Sept. 1st, and I am sure, the ABBOTT rep will again attempt to adjust electricity. For those of you who are contemplating getting the DRG; Hank's wife, Linda, and Jim.....things to remember; is there always a correlation between a successful DRG trial, and a successful implant? How great is that correlation? I thought I had a successful trial, but so far, it is not translating to the real deal. And do not forget; please have more than 3 days of success at the trial. You need many more to know if it is really working. If I can just help one of you to make an informed decision, than at least, something good has come of this. Love to all of you folks. Our lives are so hard. Lori Renee

Lori, what I don't understand is that early on you had said you were getting a nice bit of relief from pain if I remember correctly. When did it transition to less relief? And was it after a tweaking had occurred? It's just so perplexing! Man I hope it does get back on track for you, I can not make myself believe this is it. You know, maybe it will, as they say, take some time to get it absolutely correct. We are both hoping and praying for this to resolve itself and for you to get back on a pain-relieving keel. Hang in their dear friend, keep your chin up if you can and let's all try to be patient at this point. We are expecting improvement for you with this. With love to you Lori, Hank & Linda

Oh my dear @lorirenee1, I am so just plain disgusted. You do it all the right way based upon a studious journey to find the best option for you Lori. And you, the student par excellence for neuropathy and possible treatments, so anticipated success.

Ya no......we don't expect to be cured of neuropathy....that can't happen. We don't expect to have problems and issues with proven treatments, a few adjustments maybe......a little more oomph now and then, but not this.

And I so remember how present you were for me as I was adjusting and re-adjusting medications, Every morning I knew you had my back and wished for success, freedom from pain.

So...my heart, my respect and recognition for your spirit. Take a break......eat chocolate (teasing) and give yourself a hug. Practice self-love and look again........there has to be something waiting just for you, Lori.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

@rwinney Yes, Rachel, not great news at all. I will post again after I see the pain doc. I hope you are ok, and perhaps, that you are walking more since your hike? The only time my pain settles down is when I walk. Go figure. I give up. Love, Lori

@jesfactsmon Hi again, Hank, Yes, I was getting a bit of relief, especially in the mornings and early afternoon. I would say that sometime at the beginning of this week, it just stopped helping. and yes, it was helping after ABBOTT tweaked it at my last appointment. This week I both upped and lowered the electricity and nothing helped at all. I still pray that it will work, though. I cannot give up on that hope. Today I walked a lot, as my feet are in much less/no pain, when walking. Quite a bitch of a disease. I only hope that everything I tell you helps you learn and decide things about Linda. Then at least, my doing it was not completely worthless. Only time will tell. Now I gotta eat some ice cream. I do that, and it cheers me up. I think it raises endorphins, and I could use that!!!! Thanks for everything, Hank. YOU DA BEST!!!! Lori

Hi all my Neuropathy Warriors! Back to give the latest input on my DRG stimulator. It's not working well, at all. I am still in a lot of pain, and in general, if it continues this way, it was not worth doing. I keep hearing my Doc say that it can take a few months to get it right, but I know they have not gotten it right so far. I can also add some weird leg sensations to the mix, a throbbing lower back where the wires are, general weakness from surgery still. I am due for the Pain Doc on Sept. 1st, and I am sure, the ABBOTT rep will again attempt to adjust electricity. For those of you who are contemplating getting the DRG; Hank's wife, Linda, and Jim.....things to remember; is there always a correlation between a successful DRG trial, and a successful implant? How great is that correlation? I thought I had a successful trial, but so far, it is not translating to the real deal. And do not forget; please have more than 3 days of success at the trial. You need many more to know if it is really working. If I can just help one of you to make an informed decision, than at least, something good has come of this. Love to all of you folks. Our lives are so hard. Lori Renee

@lorirenee1

Oh, how very sorry I am that the DRG isn't living up to its expectations, Lori. It's really hard, after a person has tried a medication or procedure or implant, to begin feeling some relief, only to have it lose its effectiveness. So disappointing.

Knowing you, I'm fairly sure you'll give the DRG a shot, at least until the time that you've been told it could still start doing its job. I'm kinda hanging in there until I recover from back surgery, to see if my scs will resume its work. The surgeon doing the spinal stenosis decompression is also the doctor who would move forward with other treatments, including - a big Maybe - the DRG implant. I really appreciate you keeping us posted. It's certainly going to be a factor in making the decision to do it or not do it.

I haven't read past your initial post from this morning, Thursday, so I don't know yet how others have responded. I don't want to be out of line in expressing my concern for your mental state. You know as well as anyone how pain and depression/anxiety can feed each other. I feel tears in the back of my eyes, thinking about all that you're going through right now. You have my sincere empathy, Lori. Know that I'll be praying every day for you, along with a bunch of other fellow warriors.

Jim

@lorirenee1 I want to add on to what Jim says here. Lori, you should, if you can, use this forum to express your feelings fully (and I know you do, I am just trying to reinforce it here for you and anyone else). If Connect is not for expressing your emotional pain, than I don't see a lot of value in it. If and when you get down and feeling horrible over this turn of events (i.e. the DRG not helping), write about it here and don't hold back. Perhaps for some and maybe you included, there is a therapeutic value to "letting it all hang out" here on Connect. The misery of this awful state you, my Linda, and many others are in is bad enough without also not having someplace you can go to talk about it. At least people here understand you and what you are going through. Depression and despair need an outlet, and to whatever degree this can do it, great! We are your sympathetic listeners, use us. My best to you in facing this difficult trial, and I hope some light reappears for you at the end of your DRG tunnel.
🤞
Hank