Hello all. Hello to Mark and Rae

Felt it was only fitting that as I just passed my one year anniv. of having my "twins" (lumbar and cervical SCS) implanted, that I pop in and say "yo" to everyone.

The twins have been doing fine. Did have a problem with one of the remotes, which was promptly replaced as it was under warranty. Now I get to start paying the annual warranty on both implants...about $400 is what I owe them annually now

Don't get me wrong, I'm not totally pain free and have still been dealing with pain. We came to the conclusion that I was receiving the best coverage for both lumbar and cervical areas and so have not been tweaked in quite some time. However, I do continue to have problems with upper back/neck area (just couldn't tweak the cervical to cover that pain), and have been receiving trigger point injections with Kenalog. Works, but only for a short time, so pain mgmt. dr. is wanting me to now go to Botox instead of the Kenalog as he says it will give me better pain reduction for longer periods of time. His office has sent in a precert. to my ins. co. and am awaiting the goahead. Was wondering, snyone had botox for spasms/trigger points? Any advice/suggestions?

Feels good to be back

There you are, you wonderful lady you!!! And your twins, it is good to hear they are working although not Quite as well as originally hoped! It is so good to have you come home to say HI and share a bit. : o)

I must admit not knowing of a Botox injection to a trigger point for pain management. Only thing I ever read was the dermaplasty use for vanity's sake to eliminate those wrinkles ["oh my"]. So, they take Botulinin Toxin and inject it to the trigger point for you in order to basically "stun" the nerve trigger point? Is that the concept? It sure is amazing the uses to which minute amounts of toxins may be used for the good of select patients. I will assuredly pray that this works for you, my friend!

So good to see your name pop up on here again,
I have missed you,
A lot,
zzz
Mark56

Hi Mark. Thanks for the warm welcome back!

From what I understand they use a different type of botox for cosmetic purposes. Supposedly this type of botox is injected into the muscle in order to prevent it from contracting/spasming.

Hopefully someone will have some info. they can pass on to me or maybe Rae can suggest another site on Neurotalk where folks have maybe discussed this.

How are you doing?

Fiona

I always do a FLIP
when I see you pop by!!
I'm glad you are faring well with the twins
I've heard Botox mentioned quite a bit on the forums. I did a forum
'search' and several threads popped up. This one stood out...
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ighlight=Botox

I'm anxious to hear more about this venture!

Thank you for making my day !

Thanks, Rae. Read through the thread you suggested. If you come across any other info., please pass it on to me. How are YOU doing??

Fiona

Hi Fiona,

I don't think we've met, i'm Sinéad, my screen name is Sophie. A friend of mine had a botox injection for shoulder pain, as it turns out she didn't like it one bit, she said she just coudn't do anything, that she felt absoultely nothing as if she didn't have a shoulder, I asked her after if she would have another follow up and she said no, she just didn't like it. She also said that it's a painful enough procedure as there are many injections into the muscle.

I suppose everyone is different and each person could have a different reaction to it and feel different about it.
As far as I know it's not permanent like cosmetic botox it needs to be topped up every so often.

How long does your doctor expect the effects to last? You've nothing to lose in trying it, if it works and it suits you then why not

Have you looked it up on the net? Is there any info there that would give you an idea of what it's like.

Whatever you choose I hope it works out for you,

Best of luck,

Sinéad

Tell you what Fiona- I am doing so well, that I have actively been looking for work for sometime now. Interesting, the market that is....... I had a "sure thing" job opportunity and went to meet with the company leadership today at their request only to learn they are not able to take me on because the market turned sour for them. ARGHHHHHHHHHH....... maybe I will take our cabin cruiser out to the Indian Ocean off of Somalia and take up piracy.... I probably even have better aim than the folks there proclaim.

Ahoy matey,
Mark56

Thanks, Sophie. Nice to meet you

I have done some internet search and have come across mixed reviews. Not much out there to go by. Seems it only lasts 3 mos., maybe 6 mos. if you're lucky. One guy said it was the only relief his wife could get and others, like your friend, weren't so thrilled with it. I've got an appt. on the 8th to go in and talk to my pain mgmt. dr. to ask some more questions before going ahead with it. Unfortunately, I'm running out of options (or maybe have already and that's why he's suggesting the botox), so it may be worth a try. I know he plans on doing multiple shots in various areas so hopefully I won't lose use of an entire limb like you friend did...although it would get me out of housework I won't let my husband near the dr., tho', as he may try to convince my dr. that I need a shot in my lips

Mark: I may join you in the piracy thing...always wanted to make someone walk the plank....no sharks, of course. Hey, I could be the watcher of the rum (which would be used for purely medicinal purposes, of course) and occasionally sample it to make sure it meets your rigid quality standards...add in a pegleg, and you might be on to something

Well matey, if it is sampler of the rum you wish, the job is yours. As for peg legs, and since my legs below the knees are numb, I could maybe just paint them some wood color and claim they are peg legs. ARGHHHH!

If our crew becomes too large, we might have to add a dinghy or maybe even get a larger cruiser. Pirate flag, the skull and cross bones, yes. And those dirty rags of pirate clothes with a snappy hat for the captain, cutlasses, and the whole gig.

Doable?
Mark56

...................

PASS THE RUM, MATE~ !!!
I've had a rough weeeek!