I have had the RSD for 2 1/2 years now. I know to some it may not be long as many have been suffering a lot longer, but I am not new to the disease either and it continues to worsen. Unfortunately tCDS is something that I cannot afford, so I have not looked into it very far. HBOT is another treatment I would love to try if I could, but sadly insurance coverage is not there.

I promise that I have done LOTS of research, especially reading countless stories of patients that have had an SCS implanted for RSD. There are success stories as well as stories of failure. This is a risk with RSD for any kind of treatment where even a needle is involved, unfortunately. However weighing everything and my particular experiences and body's responses to other treatments, I feel it is an appropriate risk to take. This is a decision that each patient should arrive at on his or her own, so I strongly advocate doing your own research and being fully informed before you commit to the implant!

I tend to be very ambitious, but I am also aware of how sidelined people are after the surgery. I have done so much reading to try to figure out what my recovery time will be but in the end I know that I will just have to wait and see for myself. I am getting the percutaneous leads as opposed to the paddle ones, though, which has an easier recovery, albeit still a tricky one, though. Teaching Sunday School 3 days after is one commitment that I have to do. I will only be there for 2 hours and I am nervous about it but I am confident I can make it through and be ok. My doctor didn't even think that I would be able to do physical therapy the day my trial was put in but I was stubborn and went there and did quite a lot! (under careful guidance of my therapist, of course). So we will see, if I have to cancel some plans like going to some of my classes, then I have to. But I'm also very determined to be proactive in my recovery, while still being very careful of my leads not migrating.

As I said, this is a decision that every RSD patient needs to make for him/herself. I just wanted to share my experience with my decision in hopes that it could be of help to others who are considering it.

Thank you, and again I appreciate your concern!