My physical therapist is finally warming up to my tDCS home treatments. She recently commented that she guessed "it would be OK for me to use the device because I "have a doctorate, after all, it's not like you are a bricklayer." In total astonishment I asked her if she felt comfortable providing a bricklayer with a TENS unit to use at home. She replied, "Of course I would." When I asked her to define for me how the technology of tDCS is substantially different from that of a TENS unit she was stumped. Finally she stated that TENS units are not experimental and tDCS is. I then suggested that perhaps she should let Blue Cross/Blue shield know that because even though TENS units have been around for 40 years, I was required to purchase my TENS unit out of pocket because it was considered to be experimental. I reminded her of her skepticism when I suggested that graded motor imagery and mirror therapy might help me. Now she uses both of these treatment modalities with other patients.

Maybe she should be paying me.

Please do not be intimidated by this treatment. It is not rocket science. I am still seeing improvements each day. Probably the best thing about my treatment is the decrease in the numerous sensations that can make us nuts, i.e. dizziness, tingling, freezing cold one minute and sweating the next, joint aches and pains, headaches, weird vision issues, a general overwhelming feeling of overall feelings of being unwell, extreme reaction to minor aches and pains like bumps, paper cuts, burning, stiffness, reactions to loud noises and vibrations, and sensitivity to touch and temperature changes. This treatment will not cure me but it is making it easier to manage the degree to which I suffer.

I hope my journey can help others.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello Ballerina...

I'm so happy and proud of you...for your spirit and will to dig and never give up...RSD has a way of dropping us to or knees without much energy left to fight... It is so nice to having refreshing news... I support you and I appreciate all that you have to share!!!

Have a really wonderful Thanksgiving to you and all of our friends here!!!

Hugs, Kathy

http://www.fisherwallace.com/?gclid=...FUdn5Qod6GersQ

Has anyone seen this device?

Seems to be similar device sold with a RX.



Here is link to instruction manual. I didnt see anything about nerve pain.

http://www.fisherwallace.com/uploads...tionManual.pdf

This is not tDCS. It is CES (Cranial Electortherapy Stimulation.) This device was grandfathered in at the time that the FDA began regulating stimulators and medical devices. It would likely not be approved today, at least not without substantial solid clinical trials.

Personally, I would avoid it. However if there is a money back guarantee, maybe you have nothing to loose.

I am beginning to wonder if the tDCS treatments have halted the progression of the CRPS. The treatments have certainly calmed down my sympathetic nervous system. The atrophy is improving, as is my range of motion. I can now open the refrigerator without quickly kicking it closed in pain, followed by a fall due to balance problems. I have not fallen since I began treatment. My reaction to noises and vibrations is improving. I am wearing clothing on my upper body for up to three hours at a time, which means I am not held prisoner in one room of the house with a space heater 24/7.

The most amazing thin is the stiff claw position of my hand is totally gone. The debilitation full body joint pain that made the aggressive home PT program that I developed a torture to implement has gone from a level 7 to a level two. My program consists of twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off of some form of exercise all day long with a break for a nap in the morning and the afternoon. I believe this program has kept me from becoming berdridden. I used to watch the clock and by the end of each twenty minute segment I was totally drained. Now I am fatigued but in much less pain at the end.

I have not hit the level 9 pain that was at least monthly if not a weekly event. I have not had one flare since beginning treatment.

My daughter took me shopping for a Christmas present for my husband. This time last year when I went shopping for his gift I landed in the emergency room.

I can only imagine how tDCS could improve CRPS for those whose symptoms are not as sever as mine.

I am here to help anyone who is interested.

I for to ask you, how many treatments have you done with your home unit?

You also mentioned to me its great for depression and mood. Do you see you mood imporving more and more as you continue with the treatments?

You also said you are now able to wear clothing for 3 hours, what happends after 3 hours you get burning pain?

Thanks again for your willingness to help others. God Bless.

I have treated myself for a little over two weeks, twice a day for twenty minutes each.

After three hours of wearing clothing I gradually start to experience searing pain if I leave the clothing on. However, I originally could not wear anything for even a minute. I would have to pin my hair up and slap gel on the stray hair or it felt like a hot knife on my shoulder neck and back.

There is a lot of research on tDCS and intractable depression. Remarkably, I do not have clinical depression, since the beginning of my journey with CRPS I have felt optimistic and hopeful that I would find treatments to help me or put me into remission. Since treating myself with tDCS I have been more chirpy and the irritability that sets in by evening has been reduced. With regard to your question about my mood improving more and more, just about everything is improving more and more.

Many of the clinical trials use a five day treatment schedule once a day, some setting at 1 milliamp. Since I received 2 milliamps at Beth Israel, that is the setting I continue to use. Recently, there has been research interest in expanding the number of days and treating twice a day instead of once. Since I am having a good response I will be continuing my current treatment schedule until I see no additional benefits.

I am just beginning to allow myself to feel that the days of lying on the floor in pain, begging for God to take me are over.

I have had no improvement, however, in the pain in my pec and neck areas. My hunch is that I have to find the correct protocol to address it. I am currently in the process of researching protocols to try.

I have learned through trial and error the do's and don'ts when treating with tDCS. If anyone is interested I can post them.

Hope this helps!

1) Before activating the device be sure the wires are securely connected to the electrodes. Occasionally they can come loose while being wrapped in ace bandages.

2) Remove all hair spray, gel and conditioner before treatment and wipe the scalp/skin with an alcohol prep pad.

3) Do not apply electrodes to areas that have cuts, rashes etc.

4) During treatment you may be seated or recline, but do not walk around. It is best to rest during treatment.

5) Sponge electrodes should be wet enough to slightly drip. If not wet enough they can cause skin burns.

6) You can make your own saline solution. It is cheaper than buying it. Mix 1/4 teaspoon salt with 8 ozs. of salt water.

7) Electrodes must be wrapped snugly but not too tight or they can cause a flash of light across the retina or skin burns.

8) Set the milliamp dial after the electrodes are in place and then plug in the the electrodes and activate the device. Plugging the electrodes in too soon can cause a white flash across the retina (not dangerous, just annoying.)

9) Don't use phones of any kind during treatment-you will get a shock (not dangerous, just startling) Ditto for computers microwaves, etc.

10) Slight skin irritation may occur. Application of an aloe lotion helps.

11) Wait at least 8 hours between treatments.

12) After the first few days of my most recent round of tDCS I experienced headaches. (Research suggests that the sham group also reported headaches)

13) Treating later than 7:30 pm disturbs my sleep. Treating earlier enhances my sleep.

Hope this helps!

What are the settings you use on your Activa-dose II? I just purchased one, but do not know the settings to use.

Hi everybody,
Can anyone remind me what Ballerina's electrode placement protocols are?
I don't feel too good and it's a trawl through this mammoth thread.
She had luck with tinnitus, which is my area of need, using a pain protocol.
I would be terribly grateful for the help.
Also, anybody in touch with Ballerina, where's she posting now? If you speak
to her send her my best regards, thanks.

Wishing you all good health.

Nick