On that note, check out a post I put up a couple of years' ago on the greasing of palms that clearly surrounded the whole medical implantation industry. Scs cost 57,000??? R u kidding (post #13) http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread97952-2.html I suppose the only "good news" in the picture is that Medtronic's sales of SCSs fell by 1% in 2010, over the previous year, suggesting that someone is finally getting the message. Medtronic’s Profit Falls 19 Percent on Layoff Costs, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, May 24, 2011 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/25/bu...mplants&st=cse

Seriously, for anyone interested in this area, you should check out the articles posted by the RSDSA on its Medical Achieve page, under the heading Spinal Cord Stimulation and Neuromodulation at http://www.rsds.org/researchlibrary.html#SCS. When you cut through the fluff - and there are a lot of articles by doctors who serve as paid consultants to the industry, it is absolutely uncontested that in the best possible case, a SCS will provide relief for no more than three years, time in the early stage of one's illness that you could otherwise have used to pursue therapies that are not as effective once your RSD/CRPS has become "chronic," i.e., old and cold.

Mike

ps And I sure would like to know how my old post - the one Ballerina referred to - was removed from NT. Because it's gone. And I'm 100% convinced that NT management had NOTHING to do with it . . . .

Is this the thread you were looking for Mike?

I found this one by using the search option but if this isn't it, I'll look again for you.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ors#post746529

I am very concerned that you believe that your doctor "knows his stuff" but has not even offered ketamine infusions prior to suggesting SCS. Please educate yourself on alternative non-invasive treatments. Have you tried graded motor imagery, mirror therapy or tDCS?

Your best weapon against CRPS is to be your own advocate!

Please give us an update on how you are doing!

Sadly, no. Please check out my thread - Searches limited to 500 posts (by name at least) - in Community & Forum Feedback at http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread149888.html

Mike

Many major hospitals such as if you go to Cleveland Clinic they will not suggest ketamine infusions because they don't do them there.
I agree that one should do the least invasive and work forward from that. Any doctor who does not do that I feel is out for the $. Also what I do now when I am suggested a treatment is ask if it makes me worse what will be done or the next step? The feedback I have gotten from doctors on that note has helped me in making a choice in treatment.
Unfortunatly many doctors are out for the $ and treatments like scs and even ketamine make these doctors a lot of money. I know not all are like that but one has to be very careful. Also when one is in a bad place pain wise they just want relief but things can get worse if one does a procedure that is not good for the rsd. Sorry to sound negative but I am super cautious now from my experience with doctors etc.

My primary care physician just suggested a SCS implant for me and referred me to one of his colleagues who, as my doctor quoted, "can do them in his sleep."
I have decided that from now on when a doctor suggests a SCS, rather than to "just say no" I will ask the following question.

1) What percentage of your income is derived from performing SCS implants?

Then I will say "NO".

I over the past 18 months have been to 5 PM Dr.s. 3 I was set to and the other I wanted a 2nd. opinion. 4 told me before even looking at me that I needed a SCS right away. Only one said that he would have to try many different types of treatments until we have the right one.

Also the only Dr. that did not bring up the SCS told me only after asking him about the SCS that in most cases where in the upper body like hands, arms SCS did little to no pain relief. If it worked at all he found it to only work for a short time. This was meant more for lower back injury to nerves around the spinal Colin. As time past sale reps started to push these for other treatment such as rsd/crps.

All my other Dr.s back, hand, GP all have agreed with me to not have a SCS implanted due to the trauma it causes and will spread my crps II in my back and hip area.

Everyone of the PM Dr.s that wanted to place a SCS in me I asked to talk with other patients of there's that had this done . 18 months have pasted and not one name from 4 Dr.s.

My current PM Dr. is one of the 4 pushy Dr.s the only reason I go to him is because he is 4 miles from my house and being under all the meds I am taking sometimes I have to drive myself to his office so I choose the closes one to me. Until I get really good backing from folks that have had a SCS for a year or more and can answer all my questions that are proven to work well will little to no problems I will not let anyone touch me. Also I am not to crazy about some sales rep doing all the fine tweaks after. I have read so many horror story's about reps blowing off the patient. Hell I know a banker friend that got tired of being a banker in the investment area and went to work as a sales rep for a large medical firm. He my be tweeting SCS now. I know he could not find the gas filler on his car to put fuel in. My point is do we really know who is going to be the one that will help us at the most circuital time.

Bottom line is my two dogs get better treatment by their Vet then I do from my pain Dr. The one Dr. that did not push or even bring up the SCS was very good but I could not afford him at $187.00 + per office visit before anything is done.

Most PM Dr.s are not worth going to they don't really care and it shows. But I have no choose in the matter I have to go every 30 days so my pain scrips are refilled. There are good PM Dr.s out there but you have to pay a lot more to see them because they are not part of most ins plans.

I have very good insurance with great coverage and low co pay but I have found that the really good Dr.s are not part of the plans for office visits only when we need procedures done. The system still needs work.

Sorry for the long drawn out rant. Just my 2 cent worth.