Originally Posted by PurpleFoot721

Thank you Catra! I'm sure if you and your doctor keep on fighting for it, they will eventually give approval for you to go ahead with the trial. I know you have been having so many difficulties with your insurance for some time now. That has to be so frustrating!

My trial ended Tuesday afternoon and we returned back home yesterday. I wish I could keep the device in for a little longer while they worked on getting approval from my insurance for the permanent device, but it was nice to be able to take a shower once we got back to the hotel for the evening which I could not do during the trial. All in all, the doctors and I were extremely pleased with the results of the trial during the past week even though I did have a few problems that were quickly taken care of. The only real complaint that I had was how temperamental the device was on how I was positioned. If I was lying down, or standing or sitting with my back slightly arched, I would get a little paresthesia. If I was a little hunched over or slouching at all, I would get no relief. I guess that means that I will have to watch how I sit or lie down from now on if I want good relief without the paresthesia going on, but of the many treatments I have tried so far, this is the only one that has given good results. Since I was getting good pain relief and can see me starting to get my life back, I can easily put that off to the side and not really complain about it at all.

Since we were all so pleased with the results, they are trying to get insurance approval for the permanent device. If everything goes well, I should be getting that sometime mid to late September. My fingers are crossed that everything goes through without any problems.

Originally Posted by catra121

I am so, so happy for you. Do they think with the permanent device that there will be less issues with the placement of the leads since they will be implanted?

Originally Posted by CRPSbe

If the leads have less chance of moving around with permanent implantation and compared to a regular device, then that's progress.

I hope you can get the OK for a permanent device (or is that done already). Here in this country for any type of stimulation device, you first need to take the trial, and then pending on that and a few other things you get approval yay or nay.

Originally Posted by Sandoggie

Reading stories of implants, ketamine and spinal fusion are shocking to me and crude with the patient suffering from invasive sometimes permanent treatment that is experimental. It's a freaking crime doctors are doing this to desperate and suffering people. I refused to do it. Most of the time it makes things worse. My shoulder surgeon was afraid to give me a cortisone injection worried it would bring CRPS to that area. It didn't. But what about a spinal fusion or implant surgery. Were they worried about that? No, didn’t even know it was a problem. Pitiful and scary. Crude at best. Wishing all a recovery with neridronate infusions. Bug your representatives for trials of Italian drug here. We can beat this nightmare. Love and hope to you all. S