Newest Comments about my DRG stimulator, implanted 5 months ago

@lorirenee1
Lori, at this point, having followed your journey all the way through, about all I can say is Ugh! No one I have heard about had higher hopes for one of these things to work, put in more effort to finally get the darn thing installed (while working around all the covid obstacles), and struggled more than you with the doctors and the reps to try to successfully get it to reduce your pain. You are a testament to what it means to strive for something. I have been inspired by your commitment and dedication to having this done so it can help you to have a better life. Some of us humans, ones like you anyway, will go to amazing lengths to try to get out from under, and move beyond, challenges and difficulties you are faced with. I know you are beyond discouraged, as am I for you, but, as a person of Faith as I know you are, I hope you know that whatever struggles we have in life are never a waste. God sees your efforts and struggles. He will not forget them.

You ARE an inspiration! I know that in itself does nothing for your suffering, but your service to others through giving out this info and allowing others to follow your journey, is a very good thing that you do. I appreciate you. Hank

@sunnyflower Hi Sunny! All prayers you can muster are very welcome! Thanks for your kindness and support! Lori

@jesfactsmon Hi Hank, I know for sure, that the very best part of my journey, has been meeting YOU!!!! Through everything I have endured, you have been there for me! Believe me, Hank, you too are inspirational as you fight for your wife and everyone on here! You manage to help everyone! You are such a listener and a keeper of each of our journeys! So yes, the DRG is officially off for awhile. Perhaps it will go back on, but I could no longer even sit down with comfort. God willing, whatever was going on, will settle down now. Please do a prayer, as it ain't over, till I can sit down comfortably! Thanks for everything, Hank. Love, Lori

Lori, You are an amazing trooper. You can't say you haven't tried. Keep buggering on. 😊

@lweave Sometimes you have nothing you can do in life, but be a trooper! Ya gotta try! And I tried so hard! Lori

@lorirenee1 I know from my own experience with the scs how difficult (my phone suggested "distressing") it is to deal with the ups and downs. My stimulator seemed to be doing nothing for the past year, but after a spinal cord decompression surgery, I met again with the rep.

Unfortunately, I made 3 changes at about that same time - scs adjusted, increased mscontin from 15mg tid to 30mg bid, and started taking Cymbalta for neuropathy. My feet have been hurting noticeably less since then, and because I wasn't sure if the stimulator was contributing, I turned it off for a week. I now know that it's helping. Pain level range went down from 5-8 to 3-6!!! Hallelujah! I think that each of the 3 changes is doing its share. And Cymbalta has lifted my energy level, so that I'm doing a list of things that have needed to be done for several years. I'm much more productive. And my wife is liking it, too.

The surgery for severe spinal stenosis may have released the pressure on the nerves going to my feet, and at the same time made it possible for the stimulator to do its job. I don't know how long it will last, but even a little bit less pain is a welcome relief.

I've been avoiding Connect for a few weeks because, even though I'm more productive, depression slithers around in my mind. With the addition of Cymbalta, I think that depression is more hidden, but with just a simple thought, I feel it in my core. Remembering a traumatic event, or just hearing a word or two triggers a stirring up of emotions. One sign of depression for me has been the inability to focus on something like filling out a monthly report. But I saved your message that started this thread so I could read what you wrote about your progress with the drg. I'm very sorry that it hasn't been doing what you hoped it would. Big disappointment. We share in your disappointment. I think that part of the human experience is being disappointed, and finding ways to get back up and move forward. We're all different in how that works itself through. I'm one who takes longer to get going again. It's not a character defect. It's just the way I'm wired. I guess I need time to process what just happened before I can even think about moving forward. It's kind of like grief. Each of us goes through that process in our own way and at our own speed. Be encouraged knowing that it's OK to set your own pace.

As usual, once I get started with a short note, it mushrooms into a novel. Just wanted you to know I join others in praying for you in our daily prayers.

Jim

@lorirenee1 I know from my own experience with the scs how difficult (my phone suggested "distressing") it is to deal with the ups and downs. My stimulator seemed to be doing nothing for the past year, but after a spinal cord decompression surgery, I met again with the rep.

Unfortunately, I made 3 changes at about that same time - scs adjusted, increased mscontin from 15mg tid to 30mg bid, and started taking Cymbalta for neuropathy. My feet have been hurting noticeably less since then, and because I wasn't sure if the stimulator was contributing, I turned it off for a week. I now know that it's helping. Pain level range went down from 5-8 to 3-6!!! Hallelujah! I think that each of the 3 changes is doing its share. And Cymbalta has lifted my energy level, so that I'm doing a list of things that have needed to be done for several years. I'm much more productive. And my wife is liking it, too.

The surgery for severe spinal stenosis may have released the pressure on the nerves going to my feet, and at the same time made it possible for the stimulator to do its job. I don't know how long it will last, but even a little bit less pain is a welcome relief.

I've been avoiding Connect for a few weeks because, even though I'm more productive, depression slithers around in my mind. With the addition of Cymbalta, I think that depression is more hidden, but with just a simple thought, I feel it in my core. Remembering a traumatic event, or just hearing a word or two triggers a stirring up of emotions. One sign of depression for me has been the inability to focus on something like filling out a monthly report. But I saved your message that started this thread so I could read what you wrote about your progress with the drg. I'm very sorry that it hasn't been doing what you hoped it would. Big disappointment. We share in your disappointment. I think that part of the human experience is being disappointed, and finding ways to get back up and move forward. We're all different in how that works itself through. I'm one who takes longer to get going again. It's not a character defect. It's just the way I'm wired. I guess I need time to process what just happened before I can even think about moving forward. It's kind of like grief. Each of us goes through that process in our own way and at our own speed. Be encouraged knowing that it's OK to set your own pace.

As usual, once I get started with a short note, it mushrooms into a novel. Just wanted you to know I join others in praying for you in our daily prayers.

Jim

@lweave Sometimes you have nothing you can do in life, but be a trooper! Ya gotta try! And I tried so hard! Lori