Had an appointment today with my pain doctor. The study for the DRG stimulation treatment was published in late January and since then...he's had success getting my insurance to approve the treatment for other patients so we're going to submit again and try to get this going again. Hopefully I will have a date scheduled for the treatment by tomorrow (it was the end of the day and the girl who does the scheduling was already gone for the day at the end of my appointment).

I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much...but I am really optimistic about it this time around...especially since the doctor has had success getting it approved by my insurance company since the study was published. Fingers crossed they approve the trial, that the trial works, and I get relief from the treatment. Nothing else has worked and I am just badly in need of some success here.

I will keep you guys posted on how it goes and when I get it scheduled!

I will be praying that all will go well for you Catra. Hoping the DRG stimulation treatment is a success! Hugs to you my friend.

Hi Catra,

I am so glad to read that you finally get to move forward with this! I know you're reluctant to get excited and I completely understand, but I am excited for you. I never get hyped up when anyone talks regular SCS but looking at data on DRG from Cleveland Clinic; the more specific coverage, better battery life, fewer complications and parathesias feels very hopeful to me. I know it is an n=1 on their webpage citing a case of a woman with CRPS having 100% pain relief when the device was switched on...I know that not everyone has that kind of result...but it is always thrilling to see when someone gets that kind of relief!

I will be praying for you and sending much healing love. Please do let us know the plan so we can all send good vibes for you and the surgeon.

Have a beautiful weekend with your best little girl. If you haven't heard back yet you will soon.

I'm on the schedule for May 8th...that was the first available appointment. They said they will call if someone cancels...but I'm happy to just have it scheduled. Now it's fingers crossed that insurance approves the trial.

Thank you guys for the well wishes.

Fingers crossed here too. May is quite a wait yet, especially if you're waiting for something quite urgent, so I hope they approve the trial for you.

Is it a matter of approving the trial and then submitting for the final DRG again? Or is it going to be easier from there on out once they approve the trial?

If they approve the trial they will approve the final unit. When they denied it back in October they said it was because the procedure wasn't "proven"...and they sited that it had not been PUBLISHED. It is FDA approved for CRPS...so it's not an off label use or anything like that. My insurance carrier was the only one at the office denying the treatment (not just for me...but any patients with the same insurance). Now that it's been published they have been approving it...so hopefully that means smooth sailing at this point. Fingers crossed anyway.

And...the dr said 2 weeks when he said to schedule it...but they just have so many patients...I'm not surprised it's longer...I just hoped it would be like 3-4 weeks. But...I've been dealing with this for 2.5 years now...6 more weeks won't break me. Another denial might...but trying not to think about that now...

I was thinking of you. I'm so glad you've got the date!

Well here's to hoping they will approve the trial then! Gosh, why does it have to be so complicated all the time, right. I mean, yes, I fundamentally understand, but from a patient's POV it's tough!

Absolutely! So complicated and for no reason. Well...there is a reason...so insurance companies can make more money...but it's terribly frustrating. I don't like having to deal with insurance comanies period and right now between the medical insurance, work comp, and long term disability I am dealing with 3 of them. It's enough to make a person want to walk out into traffic. But...I just keep on keepin' on and eventually things will work out. It's just a very rough road in the mean time. Thank you for your support always.