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

I agree wholeheartedly!

And that's what makes me wonder WHY so many people are coming to the boards asking about these implants their Dr's are recommending!

They are being pushed like never before! And the COST!
I work for a radiation oncologist and I'm not kidding, these implants the Drs are pushing end up costing the insurance's about the price range of a full 9 wk course of daily radiation treatments! My Dr told me the average cost of each unit. I can't really remember the exact, but the actual SCS unit only cost in the very low thousand dollar range......Then WHY, when all is said and done, the insurance has forked out over
$70-100K in costs! There is one #@$% of a markup and it all points to GREED. And in the economy we face!
These poor pts in pain out of shear desperation, go ahead and try the units. I am apalled at this! Yes, there is the surgery expense and facility fees, etc.....but HOW does a 10K unit end up costing insurane $100K !! ....and this is just regarding the 'textbook cases'.......when complications arise or they end up having to be removed ......add that cost to it all!
Grrrrrr! I have such angry passion about all this!

If it weren't for support groups like this one, or the countless hours spent doing our OWN homework on the internet trying desperately to get any info we can......we'd be entirely lost.
Most doctors hand the patient a DVD from the implant company and send them out the door. Basically giving the impression "don't come back until we schedule your surgery".
That's IT!

People need to GRILL their Drs about this!......but then, like my arrogant 'busy' Dr.....they just point to the DVD and say,
GO HOME and watch that.....I have another patient waiting!!

Well, the DVD....for the most part is straight from the company and it basically paints a 'flowery' picture about how wonderful they are.....
And that's all the patient has to go on.....
Yes, there are advocates, but i asked several times to be able to speak to one or more......my 'busy' Dr office never got back with me. I go online to the company's website to see the patient stories...and of COURSE they are all successes! Why would the company portray the negative stories.

I'm probably blowing too much steam here ...... and I know there ARE exceptions. Some doctors really DO work well with their patients.
I'm seeing an average of 1, 2 or more people a DAY coming to NT regarding these units asking for help!

Anyway, this was a good discussion , so thank you Bobber and JoMar for bring attention to Dr Hooshmand's work.....

.....please pray that I won't be one of the "1/4" percentile to end up paralyzed! I've had mine for only a month.
Yes, I'm a bit nervous after reading these things, but heck, the Dr's SURE don't share this information!!!

Thank you all

Rae

Back in june 09 I had a pain management Dr only do 2 blocks on me,,the 1st one , he openly said he missed,and after doing the 2nd,,he stated that he didnt see enough significant immediate change that he saw no reason to do any more,,I repeatedly asked him to reconsider doing a series of them,,he flat out said no,,All of my research was leaning towards doing a series of them to see if they would help..but he was quick to advise a SCS.....{that was when I had insurance],,,.It is in my own opion that if you do well with blocks,that your a good canadate for a SCS and if you do poorly with blocks,than i wouldnt want to try the SCS in fear of being in SIP and no longer in SMP[which would likely cause a spread],,,but he shouldve at least tryed a series of shots to justify a SCS,,It made no sense to order a SCS for a patient he felt had not a good enough response to 1 block,,,,and as for with added meds ada,,I believe from my research..that most patients over time in incriments go from SMP to SIP..so in the event that a person who was fully in SMP,,a SCS would work,but as they went out of SMP intoSIP{over time] the pain starts to travel to the brain around the nerve instead of thru it,,so it goes there via way of both,like a bad surge protector getting hit with lightning...then the more it progresses into SIP ,the more pain meds would have to be incorperated...........In my case I would for the sake of the matter if it was available to me[no insurance],,I would do the SCS trial,but would worry about later having it fail,,id rather funnel my money into a pain pump..which is a DR;s plan B and in my case,I would gladly put the cart ahead of the horse.. The latter seems more feasible than the former.....bobber,,,,P.S,,,,,,,No worries to Rae,,your gonna be ok,,God will see to it,he needs you to stay healthy and happy to continue to encourage the board,,so its my opion that your a shoe in.

Thank you for that Bobber!

I was told the same Re: if the patient responded to the SNB injections, then there would be a much higher percentile that the patient would have success w/SCS.....
I'm not very educated on the Pump. Why? Because the minute i brought it up, he poo pooed it said bleah bleah bleah some Dr talk reasoning...... and in laymen terms he said THIS to me and i QUOTE "NO, I won't do pain pumps because then you'd invariably have to MARRY me" !!!
What does that tell you! They don't want the 'commitment'!

The only testimony I have to go on is LostMary's and she's a wonderul advocate about pain pumps....and even at that, she'll tell you that she had to search far and wide to find a Dr willing to do it! These things really peeve me!

boy oh boy ! don't EVEN get me going on how the uninsured folks are left with fewer options......equality? NOT!
It's so unethical any way you look at it!

.......ok ..... i better shut up now.....I'm starting to remind myself of Andy Rooney.......! ......"Dawn't ya just hate it when....."

Love to all

Just HELP!'