Oh, Sarah Mae-

My heart aches for anyone who is SO youthful to be beset with such maladies and then to have fear of what comes next on top, followed by a generous helping of concern about credibility.

You sound as though one who, as Rae [she is a gem] has put it, has won your trust and respect, a most IMPORTANT credential for any physician. Fear you can overcome. We will help. Shots are painful at first, but the pain is not abiding, but usually shortlived. SCS evaluation, credentialling, determination will generally take a good many steps and time. Insurance and physicians alike want to feel assured the extremely expensive procedure will be likely to produce at least even handed results in the patient. As for me, now 54 days out from implant, I feel as though touched by the hand of God, much as the Sistine Chapel painting depicts.

I have written of my travails, pitfalls, victories, challenges, fears, and on and on at the following: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread117854.html

Through this I have hoped to bring to one such as you a sense of hope, promise, possibility of life anew if both you and your medical team believe this is right for you. I will GLADLY answer any questions of yours anything at all.

May all eventually be well with you,
Mark56