Dr Rhodes And STS
 

does anyone know anymore about dr rhodes and his STS machine thingy. His video on youtube is pretty impressive but they were all young people and they seemed to have rsd in one area-

Is this just another voodoo doc?

Thanks for any info

Debbie

Hi Debbie,

I used to talk to someone on another forum who tried Dr Rhodes STS treatment and it worked a little for her in the early days but she then became worse again and had quite a lot more pain than before the treatment. I'm not sure how she is doing now but she was looking into another doctor who she 'believed' could possibly "cure" RSD by doing several different things to her body.

My mum took all of the information on the STS treatment to my Pain Management Doctor to look into and he said that he had never heard of the treatment before and that he was also a bit baffled as to why it would help other conditions, not just RSD.

My Doctor adviced us to stay clear of the treatment as he had never heard of it before and there wasn't that much evidence that showed that it would help. We didn't really have the money to go for the treatmnet either as it is only in Texas and would cost a LOT to fly over there AND stay there for the treatments, return back for the STS reprogrammed etc.

I'm not sure what to make of the treatment really. I personally wouldn't try it until it was a wide known treatment for RSD.

I really hope that it helps you should you wish to try it! Just do a lot of research into it before you decide to go ahead with it and weigh up the pro's and con's!

Take care

As we all know, none of us react the same to therpies, treatments, or medicines....

Here is my story regarding use of STS:

I was sent to a physical therapist who had an STS machine and had been trained to use with Dr. Rhodes protocol.

I DID NOT have a good reaction to STS therapy.

In a matter of 45 minutes from the beginning of use my pain went from a 3-4 range to a 10+. I was crying and begging for someone to cut off my leg. This was the worst pain I had ever felt!!!

The pain had spread from my foot, up my leg, and into my torso. Temperature of my foot, leg, and torso turned extremely cold and turned a dark maroon purple color. Swelling was also severe...felt as though my skin was going to burst open.

My pain has never went down and only continued to spread after this happened.

I would hope everyone would research as much as they can on this before trying... Because of what happened to me, I would NEVER recommend this for anyone with RSD!!

Here is a link to Dr. Rhodes Clinic:
http://www.paindefeat.com/wiki/PDFT/HomePage

Wishing you all the best!!!
:hug:
Abbie

TY
 

Thank you both for your insite...I will definitely stay away for now untl much more is known about his protocol- I JUST WiSH THERE WAS SOMETHING!!


Deb

I don't really think Dr. Rhodes is a voodoo doc, but I've also seen his treatment really work. I will say though that I don't think he has his treatment conceptualized yet to the point where other doctors can use the STS machine and achieve the same results. I would be afraid to try the machine without the direct supervision of Dr. Rhodes. The way the machine works is very complex and I don't even begin to understand it, but he has it all working together in his mind and I think has a hard time communicating to others exactly how and why it works.

Abbie, I had the same initial reaction to the machine. Actually, my pain got worse for the first couple of months before getting better. There was a point in time when I couldn't even tolerate the machine. However, once it reached the point where it started getting better, it got better fast and I've continued to get stronger.

I've actually met several of the people in the videos and have seen their journeys firsthand and it really has had an affect on other diseases like diabetes and parkinson's. Dr. Rhodes has actually done some studies with both of these diseases and seen good effects.

I personally was more willing to bear the pain and stick with the treatments because I saw others around me getting better and I considered the STS my last option because I was not willing to try anymore invasive procedures and I couldn't take medications because I needed to make it through high school. I am younger, but my RSD was in multiple areas. I've seen it work on older adults as well so I don't think it's effects have to do with age.

That being said, I think it's kind of like physical therapy in that it won't help unless you give it 100% effort and persevere even when it hurts. This is not necessarily a quick fix or magic treatment, but it definitely has good long term results.

This is a post I posted a while back on another thread about Dr Rhodes.

"I've talked to a Dr. Rhodes on behalf of my wife. Is he the same doctor from Texas who is developing a machine that sends small electrical pulses through the body? If he is the same doctor and without bringing it up to him when I talked to him, and some issues not clear in my mind, is that I've read that he claims to have had RSD himself but no longer. Also a red flag goes up with me with him is he seems to be tackling several diseases at once with this machine. He also made the claim to me his machine will be released world wide in the next couple of years because of its success. I hope its true and keeping an opened mind, and have been keeping my eyes opened to new info about him. I've scoured his website but have a gut feeling he's not all that he claims. If anyone has anymore to add on Dr. Rhodes I'd appreciate it."

Debbie, I know the women Ali is talking about & the STS machine has failed to "cure" her as she was promised. SHe actually wore off now then she was before. Though I can't say its because she used the machine. I also have another friend who went to Texas to Dr. Rhoades to get the STS machine. SHe was also left disappointed by her results. They were not favorable. If this machine was really a "cure" for everything. Our doctors would know about it. AT leats I think they would & would be suggesting this course of treatment. I am truly bothered by the fact that the STS machine works on all these different conditions & diseases. I dont know why but that realoly bothers me. I am so sorry if the information you got kind of saddened you because you thought you had found something. But I am sure everyone just wants you to have the best information you can have. I feel bad just telling you but I dont want you to be in the same postion as my friends.
Hugs, Denny

If this machine worked as touted, insurance would start paying for it. I met a woman who went YEARS ago, spent $30,000 on treatment there. She is still bitter about the experience. Do plenty of research before heading down there. I was never given the promised refund.

Abbie - My daughter Emily had a terrible experience with Dr Rhodes and the STS machine in 10/2009. Everytime I ask critical questions I am "shouted" down by a handful of Rhodes "zealots".... Have you come across anyone lately who has seen Dr Rhodes??

Thanks,
Jason

Rhodes
 

I went to Dr Rhodes in Sept with another RSDer. Neither of us had any improvement However, I met someone who was having great success. Like everything else...works for some. He gave the refund promised when I returned the machine,

Debbie

Hi Jason, My daughter went to Dr Rhodes in Nov 2010, his machine has not helped her at all. He keeps telling her its the oxy's fault, or some other medications fault, but not the plain truth that it just doesn't work on every RSD patient...She has endured 4 and 1/3 months of more pain...her RSD has spread to her feet now....She and her husband are not using it much anymore or hearing from Dr Rhodes as much either...I am so sorry about Emily's experience.....

Barb


Debbie, it was good to hear you got your money back I have been wondering about that..I don't know if my daughter and her husband will send the machine back, I hope they do....How are you doing? Thank you for your responses in my previous posting..My daughter continues to decline and pain continues to increase...and spread...anyway thank you all for listening..

Barb

Did the STS ultimately work for you???
 

It didn't work at all for my daughter - I'm trying to do "long term" research...

Thanks,
Jason SCribe

Not only did it not work but Dr Rhodes will not offer a refund or release medical records.

He did not release my medical records to Social Security when requested. But, he did send them to my primary doc when asked for. It was several hundred pages since I went to his office 7 days a week for about 6 months. They make you fill out a 2 page questionaire every visit & they have their own paperwork too. I have not asked for a refund, so dont know about that.

I've talked to Dr. Rhodes over the phone once. He seemed to be a very nice fellow. He said he once had RSD in which a red flag went up. He once had. I could only assume his machine cured him. That was a few years ago and have tallied most of the remarks I've heard about his treatment. I've come to the conclusion he's a quack perhaps.

I can find on the Doctor is he's a D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S.

D.P.M. = Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
F.A.C.F.A.S. = Fellowship of American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons


I guess all doctors can treat pain.... but personally, for chronic pain.... I am sticking with Pain Management / Neurological Doctors where pain is what they understand and treat more than anything else.

He has REFUSED to release my daughter's records despite phone calls, written requests, certified mail and doctor's request. We are going to have to hire an attorney to get our MEDICAL records. We have also requested a copy of a contract we signed for the STS machine. They will not speak to me and hang up when I call.

Might be the greatest machine in the world but I think this behavior speaks volumes.

He has a D.O. in his practice that works closely with his patients. He has RSD from a horse injury that is in remission. The machine put him in remission is what he told me. I think he caught his RSD very quickly before it had a chance to do too much long term serious damage to him. He's a sweet, super smart man, w/ alot of RSD knowledge. I've seen his machine work miracles, but not so much for me. I really do think he has a great thing with his STS & Vecctor machines, but the kinks need to be worked out. I have made two trips across country & about 6 months to see him. Lived in a hotel & went to his clinic 7 days a week. I'm not using the STS machine anymore. However, in the next few years I will probably give it another try when he has gotten more figured out. The technology is just too new right now & every patient responds differently. I wouldnt write him off just yet. He just needs some time. He has given his life to making this machine & helping patients.

I'm not buying it firegirl. If he was on the up and up, he would have released my medical records, given me a refund AND answered my calls and letters. RSD patients should not have to hire an attorney just to get their medical records. I don't care how busy he is. The Texas Medical Board told me that is a violation and encouraged me to file a complaint. Will he have time then to give me the records???????

why
 

Has he given you any reason why he won't refund your money or give you the medical records?? Just curious b.c my friend and I got our money back quickly - he charged $250 a month which was deducted from our refunds....

Debbie

Dr Rhodes' apparently does not deal well with unhappy customers. I have talked to over 2 doz people who feel as I do. He is 'too busy treating patients' to do clinical trials yet he HAD numbers on his website with percentages of his success. If you ask ANY questions you get the boot. I guess. Like I said, withholding medical records is a big problem. It takes the Texas Medical Board six months to investigate. We'll let them decide what's best.

Debbie thanks for the honest assessment, where is his office located?
Thank you.