SANDY] TESTIMONY OF JERRY LEWIS' LONG TERM PAIN

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I DID A RESEARCH AFTER SEEING HIM ON A NEWS PROGRAM TALKING ABOUT HOW IT HELPED WITH HIS PAIN. I AM NOT TRYING TO ADVERTISE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR, JUST SOMETHING TO PONDER ON. I WORKED FOR SEVERAL YEARS AS A REGISTERED PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTNAT AND I LOVE T.E.N.S. UNITS. WISH I COULD GET MY HANDS ON ONE.memommy1947 <MEMOMMY1947@...> wrote: , this article is part of an advertisement selling a product/procedure. I have seen it many times. This product is for specific nerve pain not relieved by other methods. I do use TENS unit which sends small electrical stimulation to the area that the electrodes are placed on. I have had good results from it. Sandie -- TESTIMONY OF JERRY LEWIS' LONG TERM PAIN I FOUND THIS ARTICLE AND WONDER IF THIS COULD BE USED AS A PAIN RELIEVER FOR THOSE WITH OTHER TYPES OF CHRONIC PAIN? Jerry The following article tells the story of one patient who is receiving neurostimulation for the treatment of

pain. Medtronic invited this patient to share his story candidly. As you read it, please bear in mind that the experiences are specific to this particular patient. Results vary; not every response is the same.A life giving joy, a life in pain "I had pain every day for 37 years," says renowned entertainer Jerry . "The pain was under everything - the telethons, the concerts, the appearances. When I was on stage, the adrenaline was overpowering. But after I took the last bow, I had to be helped to the dressing room. The pain was that severe." Now 76 years old, Jerry spent a lifetime making us laugh at his bumbling pratfalls and goofy pranks. (He performed most of his own stunts.) We especially loved the physical comedy for which he was so famous. Unfortunately, he paid dearly for it. In 1965, after 65 movies, all the damage Jerry had done to his body over the years culminated in a crash landing onto a steel cable, chipping his spine. "I

knew I did something that day because I felt total paralysis from my waist down," he remembers. No hope on the horizon?For decades, Jerry visited one doctor after another all over the world, trying to find relief for his severe pain. Pain medications were ineffective or caused uncomfortable side effects such as nausea and sleepiness. Injections of medication in his spine lost their effectiveness. "Doctors told me I just had to live with the pain," says Jerry. "I heard that so many times, but I could not accept it." Jerry turned to narcotics for relief, and for 13 years he was addicted to oxycodone and aspirin (also known as Percodan).While Jerry never stopped working-especially doing his charity work-it was difficult for him. In addition to consulting with numerous doctors, Jerry visited spas and massage therapists, any professional who could possibly provide pain relief. Nothing helped for more! than a short period of time. In 1997, Jerry's

orthopedic surgeon recommended pain specialist/ anesthesiologist ph Schifini, MD. Injections of pain medication in Jerry's hip and back initially worked well, but then they started losing their effectiveness. Dr. Schifini next prescribed various pain medications such as morphine sulfate controlled-release tablets (MSContin), oxycodone hydrochloride controlled-release tablets (Oxycotin), methadone, rofecoxib(VIOXX), celecoxib (CELEBREX), and gabapentin (Neurontin). These were slightly effective for pain relief, but caused gastrointestinal upset, nausea, and sedation. Back surgery (a laminectomy) gave Jerry some pain relief, but only for about six weeks.Endless suffering Pain still tormented Jerry day and night. By February 2002, he was unable to walk more than a few steps and his sleep was disrupted. "I had every shot, every dimension of pain management," he says. Jerry also contracted a lung disease, and his pain made movement difficult,

which hampered recovery from the lung ailment."There is another danger to chronic pain: despair," says Jerry. "Despair rides along with chronic pain like a partner." Jerry reached a point when he contemplated suicide. "I was ready to walk into an 18-wheeler or a fan jet or blow my brains out," he says. "I didn't think I'd make it another day."Dr. Schifini and Jerry had several discussions about Jerry's aggravating pain. "Jerry was getting to the point where nothing was working for him," said Dr. Schifini. "The next logical step seemed to be neurostimulation."Neurostimulation Neurostimulation is a removable therapy that delivers precisely controlled, low-voltage electrical stimulation to the spinal cord through a carefully placed insulated medical wire called a "lead." The lead is connected to an implantable pulse generator that has a battery and electronics. The stimulation blocks pain messages from reaching the brain. Instead of pain,

the patient feels a ! "tinglin g" sensation.There are two types of neurostimulation systems: a fully implantable system and an externally powered system. All parts of the fully implantable system are placed beneath the skin and unnoticeable to most people. The system includes an external programmer that enables patients to fine-tune their therapy. Stimulation can be increased or decreased as needed to provide optimal pain relief. The externally powered neurostimulation system uses a battery source that is worn outside the body, as well as an implanted receiver and lead.One-hundred percent reliefIn mid-April, 2002, Jerry underwent a "trial" with neurostimulation so Dr. Schifini could determine if this therapy was right for him. The procedure consisted of placing a temporary neurostimulation lead in Jerry's mid-spinal area. The lead was attached to a temporary external neurostimulator, which was secured to his side. The trial was a success.

"He had one-hundred percent pain relief," says Dr. Schifini. Mild stimulation was delivered through the leads for a four-day trial period, which was spent at home. "Jerry called me every day to tell me he wanted a permanent system," laughs Dr. Schifini. On April 20th, Jerry had a permanent neurostimulation system implanted by Dr. Ben Venger, a neurosurgeon in Las Vegas. The procedure was similar to the neurostimulation trial, only this time his neurosurgeon implanted the entire system-including the neurostimulator-beneath Jerry's skin (under the skin of his abdomen). Jerry takes no other pain medication and has suffered no side effects, but side effects are possible and can happen. Because the system is surgically placed, risks of infections do exist. Device complications, such as lead displacement causing an interruption in pain relief, also exist."On the day of the implant, I told my housekeeper four times that I had no pain!" says Jerry

joyously. "I was reborn. That's the best way to put it. I get up every morning and say, 'Thank God; I op! en my ey es without pain.'""Before the implant, Jerry was unable to participate in physical therapy or any activities with his family," says Dr. Schifini. Jerry has returned to physical therapy and rehabilitation, and he's better able to tolerate activities of daily living. "Because he's not having pain, he can focus much better on his other medical condition, which is getting his lungs better," says Dr. Schifini. "If he didn't have lung problems, he'd be the Jerry everybody remembers." What did Jerry do after the implant? Fly to New York? Paris? "I made sand castles on the beach with my daughter," declares Jerry contentedly.Jerry now has many memories to create and re-create, especially with his ten-year-old daughter, le (Danny). For many years, she would run from the school bus to the front door and Jerry would scoop her up into

the air and cheer. His brutal pain had put a stop to this tradition. After the implant, Jerry called Danny to tell her that the surgery was a success. She said, "Then you can pick me up now!" When he returned home, Jerry stood in the driveway while Danny raced up to him and he gathered her in his arms. "There wasn't a dry eye in the neighborhood," says Jerry. "I mean it when I say, 'This neurostimulator is my umbilical cord to a new life.'"Neurostimulation Systems for Pain Therapy Brief Summary: Product technical manual must be reviewed prior to use for detailed disclosure.Indications: The Medtronic Itrel, Synergy, Synergy Versitrel, X-trel and Mattrix Neurostimulation systems are indicated as an aid in the management of chronic, intractable pain of the trunk or limbs. X-trel and Mattrix Receiver Model 3272 systems are also indicated for peripheral nerve stimulation. Peripheral nerve stimulators are used to stimulate electrically a

peripheral nerve in patients to relieve severe intractable pain. Contraindications: Unsuccessful pain relief during trial stimulation of the spinal cord or peripheral nerve, or i! nability of patients to properly operate the system. The X-trel and Mattrix systems also are contraindicated for patients with an implantable cardiac pacemaker or cardioverter/defibrillator, or for those patients who will be exposed to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Also, diathermy (e.g., shortwave diathermy, microwave diathermy or therapeutic ultrasound diathermy) is contraindicated because diathermy's energy can be transferred through the implanted system (or any of the separate implanted components), which can cause tissue damage and can result in severe injury or death. Diathermy can damage parts of the neurostimulation system. Warnings/Precautions/Adverse Events: Safety has not been established for pregnancy or pediatric use. Patients should not drive or use

dangerous equipment during stimulation. Systems may be affected by or adversely affect cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter/defibrillators, external defibrillators, MRI, ultrasonic equipment, electrocautery, radiation therapy, theft detectors, security systems, and aircraft communications systems. Adverse events may include: undesirable change in stimulation described by some patients as uncomfortable, jolting or shocking; hematoma, epidural hemorrhage, paralysis, seroma, CSF leakage, infection, erosion, allergic response, hardware malfunction or migration, pain at implant site, loss of pain relief, chest wall stimulation, and surgical risks. Patient selection criteria include physiological origin for the pain, appropriate surgical candidate, detoxification from narcotics, and availability of long-term post-surgical management. CAUTION: Federal law (USA) restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.UC199501096bENImportant Safety

Information Head prepared by Sweet Letter by Puck Just for fun and personal use only December 11, 2006 Tutorial