I was reading this today and saw that according to him,1/4 of people who have a SCS will get acute Idiopathic paralysis in the Lower Limbs. It also stated that another way to get this condition was the use of a Catheter in use over the sympathetic chain in the paraspinal region,{ which is used for multible use of needles used in blocks} but was less likely than the SCS . It also mentioned that people with rsd contracted it as well over time by the lack of use of the limb or progressed by the use of a walking tool such as a cane or crutch. Im not saying SCS is bad,but puzzle 16 was worth reading..chalk another one up for a painpump,LOL

I was looking some of the others and found that puzzle #27 was very interesting.
It was his thoughts on how treatment should be done-
http://www.rsdrx.com/rsdpuz4.0/puz_27.htm

the list of his puzzles-
http://www.rsdrx.com/rsdpuz4.0/001.htm

That was interesting Jo. I think it's pretty right too. I have noticed that some Drs. give people one or two blocks and they quit because they see no results.

We had an RSD group for awhile here and I was amazed at how much people were helped with a series of blocks. I saw one person that was in a wheelchair and she walked after having quite a few blocks. Another girl said they were like a miracle to her after having RSD for over 30 years.

I wonder too if it might be a difference in meds that the Drs. use to do the blocks. We have an Anesteolgist around here that is one of the best Drs. I have seen in knowing patients of his before they got treatment from him and how they were when they saw him for awhile.

I have seen the end results around here of the SCS in 4 people and I can say not one of them still have it on. I would go for the pain pump but I still try to understand why a person still needs narcotics after having it put in. I guess they see something good in it and that's good. It makes me wonder about either being the answer in the end.

Ada

VERY sobering! Not to mention flat-out 'Frightening!'
It's good to know all the facts however. Dr Hooshmand is very VERY knowledgable, I doubt anybody would argue that!

Something to keep in mind however, the info he provides in his puzzles is over 10 yrs old......lots of new udated info is out there. And there ARE lots of 'success' stories with both SCS and Pain Pump.....WHERE are they? THAT's what I want to know! For some reason, they seem to 'disappear' into 'life' and don't hang around pain forums anymore and this is very frustrating to me....! They are out there though.

I appreciate this info.....actually it should be posted over on the SCS/PP forum as well....

And, I find much frustration in alot of these 'pain doctors' who won't really explain the different between SMP and SIP.....patients simply aren't getting the facts.....they're just getting these units 'pushed' at them because (for the doctor) it seems the easy way out....not to mention the nice "bonus check" they receive....
I'm very 'neutral' on this issue, so I try not to 'push' it in either direction of being extreme.....it's ultimately a decision the patient has to make based on their individual assessment and (hopefully) with a doctor who is truly looking out for their best interest.
I'm doing everything I can to find the patients who have had longterm success with these units to come here and SHARE their experience .....I've happened across 4 or 5 of them right here on NT! The GOOD side needs to be heard as well! The BAD stories are the ones that get ingrained on the forums....but there ARE lots of folks who claim these units have given their lives back.....
I just wish both sides could get a fair shake.......

I love you all

Rae

I know it is dated info - [This page was last updated on 6/20/2002.].

But surely he must have had an assistant or another MD that was working with him..
seems like someone would be following up on the info.
And keeping it updated...


But I wonder if anyone here has tried his exact treatments & the meds the way he suggests to do it???

And how it went for them?

you do bring up a point on the Drs. not explaining the difference in the RSD. My Denver Dr. did tell me though that I was not a good canidate for either due to Central Sensitization Syndrome. I guess he did something good for me. That's about it.

As far as following Dr. Hooshmand ideals, I do believe my PCP followed them pretty good. I bought him Dr. Hooshmand's book for Christmas about 7 years ago and he used it to treat me. I also lent him my Fibro book to read. The book tells how to treat the RSD with the meds, blocks, triggerpoint injections, and PT. I think we did it all. Before the book we tried every narcotic going and then he put me on Methadone but I do believe his treatments are what finally got it calmed down enough that I could go off of the Methadone. We are having trouble getting the pelvic pain to stay calmed down but he keeps trying.

As far as the SCS and the pump, I do believe they get large kickbacks for selling them to the patient and that's what it is, a sells job.

I think too in our desperation to get out of the pain, we are easily manipulated to try the drastic before we get through the easier treatments.

These Drs. that I believe are pushing the pump and SCS are not willing to give it enough time a lot of times to get the patient better and aren't studying up on RSD enough. Why study when you can get a kickback.

Ada