I had another fall last wednesday. I hit the floor pretty hard and tore my thumbnail in two places. I was ready for the usual new source of CRPS but amazingly it did not happen. I am a bit bruised and the thumb hurt real good for a day and now I am good to go.

It is my own fault because I was not using my service dog when I fell. Big mistake that I will not soon make again.

Otherwise I am doing well. Still making very good progress. I am starting a new protocol over the next week and will keep daily notes regarding any progress. I am so excited to see that others are having good results with tDCS.

I hope we will soon see posts about great results with those newly diagnosed with CRPS.

I'm glad you are okay! It's easy to get cocky isn't it? A little over a month ago now I had my walker and I leaned to grab a coat off a hook on the wall...didn't lock the breaks because I felt fine. Lost my balance, walker rolled away from me, and I scraped my skin and got a nasty bruise. Thankfully...that was all...but you can bet I haven't made the mistake again of not locking my wheels when I do something where I need to lean or use both hands.

Keep up all the hard work and as always...thanks so much for all your advice and help. I wish more people (especially doctors) were familiar with tDCS as treatment for CRPS and chronic pain.

Yes it is very easy to get cocky and do more than I should just because tDCS has given me some quality of life back.

You keep up the hard work too!!!!! I am so happy that you and James are making such good progress!!!

Remission for us someday!!!!

Unfortunately my take on doctors and tDCS is that patients are going to get their own equipment and treat themselves before most doctors will offer. Just think what will happen to lucrative pain management practices and spinal cord stim revenues if and when tDCS takes off. (which I believe will happen within the next few years.) Patients like me will not wait for the medical profession to promote, to provide or to give permission in the way of scripts for the treatment. My hunch is that college kids will lead the charge rather than chronic pain patients, using the devices for learning and memory. I predict that they will routinely pack a tDCS device with their i pads.

I can't wait until tDCS wipes out the Spinal Cord Stim business as it pertains to CRPS patients. I become ill every time I hear of another failure case like James.

Better day are ahead for all of us.

CRPSjames & ballerina:

Would you 2 tdcs “positive responders “ (for lack of a better term) be kind enough to post another description of the locations you are using for your anode and cathode?

It would be useful to have it listed in the EEG coordinates or some other manner that allows others of us to accurately do a trial using those locations.

I have tried 3 ten-day trials & have had no symptomatic improvement whatsoever, but each of the trials have caused some significant sleep disturbances… so something is happening. I've been on a weeklong reprieve and I am about to start another trial.

The 1st trial I used what I thought was the location that ballerina (motor cortex and S2) is using, the 2nd trial was more oriented upward towards C-3 trial was at C-3 -and a little higher on the head also……


If you feel more comfortable PM’ing me, fine with me.

voner

Hi Voner,

I an very sorry you have not received any relief. I have used the electrode placements you have used and had the best response to M1 S2. I am currently trying a new placement but have no track record yet.

I am no expert but I offer the following. I did extensive research on tDCS and my areas of pain. I also visited and/or consulted with the three leading places in the US as regards tDCS and my area of pain. This process might be useful for you. I also vaguely remember that you rigged your own electrode parts. Don't know if this could be a factor.

The description of my M1 S1 is listed in this thread. Please send me a pm if it is not clear. I am not always as clear as I could be.

The fact that your sleep is being disturbed is not great but you are right-something is happening.

I would not give up yet.

ballerina:

thanks for the response and suggestions. I'm certainly open to hearing anything.

your statement about my set up is a good one -- I've tested my set up with multimeter is, etc. -- and that all is working properly.

the part that confuses me -- I get sleep disturbance -- which kind of indicates that maybe I'm too far forward towards the forehead in my electrode placement (i.e. near or on the DPLFC - which is reported in many research papers to disturb sleep) -- but then when I measure - that's not what the measurements indicate.....

/////////

Dear Voner,

A thought has crossed my mind which may or may not have any relevance
but in your post you mentioned despite your hunch you might be placing the
electrodes in the wrong area your measurements would suggest you are not.
My question is since everyone is different which includes our anatomy then
is it possible certain parts of your brain may not be placed in what is
usually considered the norm?

Regardless, hang in there.
Joydee