Although Katie didn't feel like the Gabapentin was doing any good at all, we found out at the end of the week, that um, yes, it actually was helping to dampen the nerve pain a little! Her nerve pain increased once she was completely off of it, and it made for a pretty rough weekend for her. :-( Dr. B explained that the medication would get in the way of the device doing its best work, so we didn't want any "dampening" of the nerves happening. Katie was on board 100%, even though it cost her a couple of very painful days.
It's now Thursday as I write this, and Katie has had 4 treatments out of her 10 that are scheduled. (Her case is very severe and complex, and there is a possibility that more than 10 visits will be needed.) Here's how Katie's visits go:
Katie arrives and fills out a log showing where her pain is, and what level it's at. She then has her leads connected to her "sweet spots". Sweet spots are the most effective places Dr. B has identified to put the electrical leads that help her specific pain areas. In the picture, you can see her feet's "sweet spots". :-) When they're all done, she's pretty wired up. (Lots of pain areas.) :-(
The device is turned on, and Katie says it feels "buzzy"; it's not painful at all. She can feel when the algorithms change up, which is pretty often. Her treatments last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. Her pain levels decrease significantly, if not disappear, during the treatment. After the device is off, Dr. B checks with Katie and measures where her pain levels are at. Since the very first visit, it is always consistently much lower, and we've seen this relief last after going home -- Monday's pain relief lasted an hour, and now we are up to 2-4 hours!
Her "homework" is to log how long the pain relief lasts at home. She brings it with her to the next appointment. And, it all begins again! Katie goes every day for the next 2 weeks (more if needed). The main goal here is to re-teach the brain that everything is OK, and it's no longer necessary to recognize the pain sensations. So, Katie is taking it pretty easy for the next couple of weeks. We have canceled physical therapy appointments, work, and other events that would stress Katie's system. Gotta baby that brain. Well, she picked a great time with it being 100 degrees outside this week! Doctor says stay inside and be cool and calm and don't stress. I know -- rough life, huh? ;-) Where can I get a prescription for that?!
Her pain levels at the beginning of the week were measured at consistent 8's, 9's and 10's before they turned the device on. Today, before her appointment, her legs were at a 2, and her arms were at a 4. WHAT?! INCREDIBLE! Things are going VERY well! Keep us in your thoughts and prayers that this wonderful progress will continue, and that the pain relief for our Katie can even be permanent!
And....join me in a happy dance, will you?
