It is true, many prescription drugs are not regulated in Mexico such as antibiotics, etc. What IS regulated are pain meds and benzo's (Xanax). Many of the Doctors in Mexico (that I spoke with anyway) are very unhappy with the open state of affairs regarding this practice and would prefer an approach more like the States or I assume the U.K.

As for the medical care in Mexico, all I can tell you in that the San Jose Hospital is absolutely state of the art, it's a private hospital and also a teaching hospital. I believe it's considered the top hospital in the entire country and it shows.

Each and every single doctor we met with just blew us away. We've been so used to being treated like a number in the U.S. it was just inconceivable to us that they could care as much as they did and/or spend the sheer amount of time they do with you on an individual basis.

What is also nice about Mexico is the unfettered access during the coma and throughout the ICU recovery period for the patient. Only one person is allowed in at a time during the coma itself for 5 days, but you can stay as long as you like. I've heard there are time limits in Germany. During the ICU recovery stage, you can stay in the ICU room with your loved one as long as you like, which is usually 24 hours a day, hah!

After ICU - you get moved to the 8th floor, the nurses don't speak english very well, but they are very used to the coma patients by now. The rooms are top notch, and high end. Oh, and the ICU nurses are just incredibly good and most of them speak English.

I've realized there are two Mexico's. Border Mexico, which we see on T.V., and the real Mexico. Monterrey is a truly cosmopolitan city. I've traveled throughout Europe and abroad and Monterrey blew me away. Very sophisticated. Expensive too it should be noted....the most expensive place to live in Mexico by far.

Anyway, I wish any and all who decide to take this route and wish them the best of luck. I am sure people would be please with either facility.

As for me, I am a family member. Our loved one has had a TREMENDOUS recovery from this horrible disease. She's not out of the woods yet entirely, but there's been a 95%-98% improvement, it's all been entirely past our expectations and even feels a little unreal. I personally am so used to being in 'crisis', that I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. I don't expect it to, but as a caretaker you start to adjust and lower expectations sometimes as a survival tool.

Keep praying and hoping. The more patients who go through the procedure, the more data is collected. Hopefully it will make a convincing enough case in the U.S. where the FDA won't require a double blind placebo control study.

I can't even imagine how horrible that would be, to put patients through a 'placebo' coma, but that's what they are asking for prior to approval.

I want to make a blanket statement saying, KETAMINE WORKS, but I know that some patients haven't had the full recoveries that they would like. I know my loved one hasn't had a full 100% remission yet, but it's about as close as it can get and we only expect it to get better over time.

I pray for each and every one of you who deal with this each day, RSD patient and caregiver alike.