This is amazing and wonderful news Tessa!!! Thank you so much for sharing this treatment experience and process with us. I am incredibly happy for you!!! I sure hope it continues to get better and better. Definitely gives us hope!

Nanc

Tessa how does it feel being almost pain free? Whats it like?!! I don't remember what its like to not live with this horrific pain, I cant even grasp it being not normal anymore. So whats it like to have minimum pain? Im so very happy you are feeling better!

Hi Tessa, I hope you are doing okay today. I'm always praying for you. From your friend, Renee.

Hi again Tessa, I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you and that I hope you are still doing okay. I'm praying for you! You are very brave and I am proud of you! Take care and make sure to get plenty of rest. With love, Renee.

Thank you for reaching out Renee and for your prayers, it really means a lot to me. I've wanted to post much more often than I am able, I hope you all understand. I think I've slept enough in the past few days to make up for a lifetime of lost sleep...sheesh.. my eyes are still heavy!

How are you feeling? I've been trying to keep up with your comments and it sounds like you are doing extremely well - that is awesome. You must feel like a new woman?!
Pretty soon this too will be behind you.

Wishing you a wonderful day.

Tessa

Hello All,

So sorry I haven't had a chance to update in a while or respond to the many kind messages you have all left. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

Here is the official update: So far things have gone really well. Prior to trying this continuous epidural catheter my pain level was mostly pegged at a 10. I had what my doctors refer to as a severe form of causalgic pain or CRPS II. Once they were able to get the epidural placed and running properly my pain levels have mostly been at a 3/4 and up to a 6/7 on 3 occasions. Initially when the pain and symptoms spiked back up to a 6/7 both my husband and I were so disappointed as we thought that meant this had failed. On the contrary!! After talking with my doctor (who is just amazing by the way) he said he is very pleased at the results so far. He said I should not focus on the little hiccups along the way, rather focus on the big overall picture, which is clearly much better today than it was last week when he admitted me.

I am honestly in disbelief that most all of my previous symptoms are gone. Now, even when pain is breaking through it is only the burning and the sensitivity not all the rest. YIPPEE!!

My doctor just changed the medication concentration to see if that will help get the breakthrough pain down some more. His plan is to keep fine tuning the medication over the next few days until we can achieve the best affect possible before sending me home.

I am so grateful for my doctors!!

By the way tos8 - it feels great to be almost pain free. I hope that one day you will also have the chance to feel that again!!

Thank you for updating us. I am so very pleased that things are going well for you. It must feel like a dream. We are all pulling for you and I am keeping my cripsy fingers crossed!

lol.. KimA it does feel like a dream!! I was just telling my friend the other day that I should 'pinch myself' just to be sure

I'm sorry you are experiencing such terrible headaches. Have you ever tried going on the 'four f's diet' to see if perhaps that would help reduce the frequency and intensities of both? I do hope you are able to find relief soon. Nanc is such a wealth of great information, we are all lucky to have her support!

Soooooooo EXCITED for you T!!

Sounds like just a couple more days of tweaking and you should be all set. Yes, get rest. Your body is trying to adjust to everything. Sleep is good.

I am truly happy for you my friend!

Vrae

Thank you Tessa, you are so sweet to say that about me

I am so very happy for you and the progress you are making! This is so amazing!! Thanks for keeping us updated!