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Originally Posted by ali12
Over here in the UK, they will only implant an SCS as a last resort due to the NHS (National Health Service). You have to have tried all of the pain medications, PT etc before they even consider an SCS.
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It's the exact same with our health care system. Even worse. A SCS is approved only as a last resort (refunded through the health care system) for CRPS type 2, or Causalgia, but not for CRPS type 1, RSD and we are talking about something that costs about 10.000 euro which not all of us can afford. I don't understand why they would make that distinction. CRPS = CRPS whatever type. I guess it's because in Causalgia we are talking nerve damage, maybe that's why they'll refund it in that case. I think it's unfair.
Not that I'd consider it an option, it is an implant, and one that goes straight to your spine. There are risks in that too, risks that some are willing to take, others not. Sometimes I'm in doubt over it, though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ali12
I don't paticulary agree in blocks but then again, when I had the epidural, I had good relief from it. My pain wasn't gone completely but was more tolerable. I think it just depends on the indiviual and how they react. I was really unfortunate to have a severe reaction from my block.
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I am sorry about the bad reaction to the block, Ali. Stick with what works for you. But how do you know, right?
I myself went through the typical treatment stages here even though they didn't think it would do any good anymore. At the time I didn't know that much about RSD. I first had calcitonin injections (treatment usually lasts for 3 months), then went on with bisphosphonates. I was also on Tramadol by then. Because it was so bad, they switched me to the heavier treatment with IV bisphosphonates (used in the treatment of recalcitrant RSD) after 2 months. After that it was oral bisphosphonates for months and after that tougher pain treatment.
If only... If only we had THE magical pill that would fix it all.