My 4 hour car ride to the City yesterday was for a SCS pep talk by the doc. If I want to go forward, I see the pain psychologist in 2 weeks and surgery can be scheduled immediately. I made the appointment . I'm wondering if i should get another opinion, although my options are limited for what can be done. 43 years of treatment have eliminated choices. I have both gained and suffered overall for the aggressive treatments and surgeries done to save my arms from the beast...and now I also have degenerative spondy..

I was to be ready and have decided… but I had more questions: I asked the doctor what he would do if he were me. He explained that he felt it was best to start with the stimulator for both upper and lower spine. Then, if that doesn't work we'll do something else… Like the pump for my lumbar and (something else for my cervical spine) Honestly, I feel a bit of caution for the RSD in my upper body. I have nowhere else to go with it. When I told him vibration is a trigger he grimaced... yet he still thinks it's best. ** Does anyone have an opinion? So many times I've been on the verge of an amputation, so I'm cautious even of a needlestick., and I'm uncertain now!
I agreed to a psych eval. and a new MRI of my cervical and lumbar spine. He also ordered me the flector patch. Can you believe my insurance said "fine" to the pump or stimulator and denied the patch? I'll wait til monday and hope the doc can get it approved.

RSD began when I was 13. I was an athlete swimming miles every day and a DVT formed in my arm. by the time I was 30 most of my upper sympathetic chain had been removed, and I still had severe symptoms. Block after block was done (some successful, some not)... and eventually, a last exploratory discovered extra crossover sympathetic fibers into my arms. I was in the middle of so many arguments with the doctors about what was going on. As of ten years ago,my diagnosis was Severe Basal Spastic Disorder. My last surgery for this version of RSD stuff was a peri- arterial sympathectomy, and my symptoms were mostly absent during and long after my tumble off the road. A bump on the arm 2 years ago set of a horrid new round and I haven't gotten it under control yet....


(Here is a little vent) OWWW!! I want to post more... but I can't sit, or stand...my hands not able to hit the right keys... To sit my hips ache and legs have stabbing and jolting pain. To escape the pain, I am running from the kitchen to either of my 2 chairs that are tolerable for a short while,.. then I get up for the next task. When it is at level 10 I go to my massage table~ the best investment I ever made! I can lie face down, otherwise impossible because of my cervical fusion. I must do something...I must!

I am still learning about how devastating back problems can really be. I know about CRPS.. My heart is with all of you who suffer and thank you here for your support too.