[MDinpain]

After a nasty ski accident 2 + years ago, I damaged my brachial plexus and spinal cord. Recurrent spinal cord contusions lead to a strange whole body crps predominantly in lower legs, but also upper back and face. Still with brachial plexopathy. My legs are the weak spot. After reading mark56 and Rae's posts, decided to go for it. Have been walking 3 miles a day, swimming, and working full time with night work. No drugs - brutal. Can't do my job on them. Enough was enough. Stimulator totally covers legs. Amazing. No allodynia or deep pain. Just paresthesias - strange feeling, but better than the crps burn. Was able to stand for several hours today and not feel any substantial pain. Not good as new & don't see myself big mountain skiing anytime soon, but i feel like I might be able to do much more with this thing. Thanks for the inspiration!

[eva5667faliure]

thank you for sharing
more stories like yourself
is such a welcome
as i would love
too have that kind of
outcome

so very happy
a successful story
God Bless

[Rrae]

Welcome Aboard!

It's so very rewarding to hear that you've been inspired by reading the posts and testimonies here at our little corner of cyber-world. I'm so sorry about the accident you had which left you battling this very nasty condition! I'm convinced that CRPS comes straight from the pit of hades.

Having lower extremity neuropathy/CRPS, I've had very good success with my lumbar SCS. You are so right in saying that the soothing buzz of the stimulator very much outweighs the horrid burning.
I have high hopes for you as you continue on with your trial. You seem optimistic about this, which is so good to hear. This mode of pain management could surely give you back your quality of life.....but yeah, , perhaps you'd better give it some time before hitting the slopes again.

Thank you for sharing your story. It's great to have you with us. We'll be very interested in how this turns out for you and the support here is absolutely fantastic!

Caring!
Rae

[Mark56]

Good to see you are feeling the parasthesia effects to benefit. I know them well and found thorugh the abundant and constant use I was able to withdraw from all pain meds and nerve meds. Clarity of mental faculties works far better in my profession now that I am not fuzzed with opiates or the neurontin/lyrica families....

I hope you find all will be well with you in this. I too, would like to resume skiing, but without feeling in my lower legs, I may ultimately be on to the Winter Park disability program for one of those funky recumbent skis.... might be fun to shuss again.

For the time being I am content to be fully engaged practicing again, and the rewards of finding my professional stride have been well worth the patience it took on a long and hard road to emerge into this brilliant sky.

Yup,

[MDinpain]

Thanks for the well wishes. Day #2 another winner. Probably on my feet 6-7 hours without "flare" and covering a few miles. The buzzing still fatiguing, but much less so than the burn. Wife says that my legs looked better perfused / healthier. Hard to explain to my seven year old son why i have wires in my back and why i must avoid water rides and jarring roller coasters. Disneyland is an interesting venue for a trial run. Many individuals here with disabilities of various kinds. Among others, I have spotted a few men about 5 or 10 yrs younger than me with prosthetics- likely IED victims. Gives you some frame of reference - it's not easy to be downgraded from athlete to chronically ill, but there are those facing greater challenges out there. Although I have an "invisible illness" at least I have the ability to keep it that way for the time being. If the permanent implant works, will be a blessing to not feel right on the edge at work. I have made it through every day thus far providing good care and without complications, but every day I worry. This may give me breathing room. The necessary disclosure of aspects of my situation for a permanent - it's going to blow my department director's mind. But, like Marc56, i am good at what I do. Determined not to touch that disability policy unless I must.

[MDinpain]

Another burn free day. The electrocution tires me too, but it does not eat at your soul in the same way. After walking around Disney, napped. Then signed into health club at hotel and cranked 20 minutes on bike at aerobic level pain free. Just electrical legs. Endorphins, the only real antidepressants, were released. I know that Dr. Prager is controversial, but he positioned those leads expertly. Hope that permanent works like this. Ready for cyborg life.

[eva5667faliure]

Originally Posted by MDinpain

Another burn free day. The electrocution tires me too, but it does not eat at your soul in the same way. After walking around Disney, napped. Then signed into health club at hotel and cranked 20 minutes on bike at aerobic level pain free. Just electrical legs. Endorphins, the only real antidepressants, were released. I know that Dr. Prager is controversial, but he positioned those leads expertly. Hope that permanent works like this. Ready for cyborg life.

freedom


may life be good

[AZ-Di]

Wow! So happy for you. With all that activity are you able to bathe or shower with the trial in? That would be a big issue for me. Thanks for keeping us posted.

[MDinpain]

Originally Posted by AZ-Di

Wow! So happy for you. With all that activity are you able to bathe or shower with the trial in? That would be a big issue for me. Thanks for keeping us posted.

For a 3 day trial you don't get that dirty. Clean, wet towels to sponge off, deodorant, and a baseball cap does the job. Best of luck.