Posted on 08/09/2012 9:14:42 AM PDT by Allen In Texas Hill Country
The wife has had RA for seems like forever. But over the last several years the pain has gotten so much that the doctor has her living on Vicodin. He's even said to take it when there is no pain so she won't feel it when it returns. But she never went that far and gets by on maybe 6 or so a day.
But then he told her to go to San Antonio and see a spine specialist. And this lady doctor immediately went about getting the wife approved for a spinal implant. They run two wires up and down the spine hooked to an internal controller. She then can signal the controller to flood the spinal nerves to such a degree that the pain is masked out before it gets to the brain. She got the temporary implant yesterday and it does what they said it would do. They'll wait a week or two to verify it satisfies her need and then do an overnight operation to permanently insert the wires the full length of the spine.
We may have the most evil sob of a prez this country has ever seen but it is nice to live in a time where gizmos like this work. The initials of the company that builds this device is BS.
Just remember, you’re the one that wanted a bionic wife.
Or
You didn’t build that wife by yourself...
“The initials of the company that builds this device is BS.”
I call BS.
Damn, I thought this thread was going to be about fixing our GOP leaders...
Glad for the new technology that helped you.
That’s too cool. I hate stuff like Vicodin. Mostly relieves the pain but makes me feel like my head is full of sponges.
Trans nuro stimulation has been around a long time. I had a temp device affixed to my knee for a few weeks when the rebuilt it in ‘79. Can I ask, is your wife on a biologic to prevent further damage(like Embrel) They can be pricey and reduce your immune system but they do work.
I’m so glad it worked for her! Spinal stim. didn’t do a darn thing for me - and we tried it many times.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get off Vicodin. My pain dr said that the best we could hope for was to get down to a couple a day for breakthrough pain.
Whatever. My surgery has helped a lot and I’m better off than I was before.
Don’t know why but no, the dr has never suggested, been into, or is outright against that and other solutions.
On the other hand I was ready to try Anatabloc with her. I usually don’t believe in garbage I read on the net but I accidentally first saw something about it on FR and then did some research. The first was to do no harm and it seemed safe but the stimulator is working so,,,,,,,,,,,,,.
Surgery????? None of my business but other than cartilage restoration how does surgery help.
And I forgot to add,,,,, I guess thats why they have a temporary/trial period before the permanent stuff. :<))
I had T-2 through L-2 spinal fusion a couple of months ago. Straightening the spine decompressed most of the nerves pretty well.
There are a number of biologic’s like embrel for RA. I’d do some research on what’s available then talk to the rheumatologist.
http://arthritis.about.com/od/dmards/DMARDs_Dosage_Side_Effects_Drug_Interactions_Warnings.htm
driving around I heard a commercial for anatablock saying they are giving away samples for testimonials, hey free is good give it a shot.
We we’re only going to do Anatabloc if the stimulation thing didn’t work which is. Thanks.
Bad choice. You have to understand the difference between masking, which the TNS will do and actual damage reduction/healing that the ana-bulsheite/ biologics actually do. Understand your wife’s immune system is killing the lube that keeps the joints working. Pour sand in your crankcase and it the same thing. Masking pain only gives comfort till you seize. If she’s 85, ok maybe.
I sent you a link to check out RA meds, please do the research. Pain elimination with an end of joint destruction is what you should be striving for. This is not a glocosimen(sp) type issue. It more MS or lupus. There are some really promising thingsin the pipeline and you want to make sure it’s controlled for the next 10 year so she can make it go away.
To let you know, we are in a ms trial, fantastic results, for most, MS is about to become cured(65-80%) with compounds that should make the rest chronic but managed, due in 3 years. If it a $ issue, look at clinicaltrials.gov.
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