Dawn

[Guest guest]

Thanks for this information. Jack is going to talk to a surgeon at DeKalb Med Center on Tuesday; we will keep Dr. in mind for a second opinion. Dawnbyrd10is <byrd10is@...> wrote: Hi Dawn,I had the Hellar Myotomy and Fundo surgery 11 years ago. I lived with Achalasia for 16 years and had 5 dilitations before having the surgery. I had a great doctor (Dr. ph )from Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta Georgia. I do have ocassional spasms, which are

very painful but overall the surgery was a success.> > ... I have been encouraging him to have the myotomy surgery, but after > > reading today's posts, I am worried that this might not be the answer I > > am hoping for.> > > > At his age, if his esophagus in not to out of shape, large and curved, > either myotomy or dilatation may be very likely to give good results. > Myotomy has something like an 80 - 95% success rate based on how > patients judge their symptoms before and after. Dilatation works better > on the older patients than on young ones, and has a success rate of > something like 70 - 90%. We hear a lot about bad cases in this group > because those people are

more likely to need a group like this than > others. Also those that have been successfully treated often move on and > put all this behind them. If your husband had been quickly and > successfully treated you probably wouldn't be here either.> > notan>

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[Guest guest]

, thanks so much. I really do feel better after reading all of these posts--although I find this discussion group a little difficult to navigate. Our appointment with the surgeon is next Tuesday afternoon. Actually, Jack has been feeling better the last two days and isn't certain he needs surgery now. But I figure it won't hurt to hear what the guy says. I guess he can always have another Botox, but maybe just a week before we take an overseas trip so that he won't worry about his esophagus clamming up under the stress of travel. Most of the stress coming from not knowing what will be available for him to eat in the exotic places I want to visit--India, Peru, etc. Dawn let45ride <brendacoyle@...> wrote: Dawn,Hello and welcome to the group! I can understand a lot of whatyou're going through, because I'm also the spouse that communicateswith the group. It helped my husband, , A LOT when he first readsome of the posts on this site! It also helped me to know that someof the same issues were going on in other households. had feltembarrassed by his symptoms, didn't want to talk to anyone about it,and later started to feel depressed. I think all these things are tobe expected when you have a rare disease. If you can learn morethings about Achalasia from this group and other resources and sharethem with him, it may help him to feel

empowered and definitely likehe's not alone (and hopefully, less grumpy). Now, when he talks tofamily and friends, can explain what's really happening to him.It has definitely changed our social life, but in time, our familyand friends are starting to understand just what's going on and we'vegotten used to dealing with the disease. He, fortunately, doesn't gettoo grumpy, but it still hasn't always been easy for our marriage. Also, after reading and learning about the disease, it's helped usboth to be able to communicate with doctors and ask the rightquestions. As many have said here before, Achalasia is a raredisease. You want to find the best doctor you can who has experiencewith it, not someone who wants to be able to boast that they treatedsomeone once with it. If you are able to travel, I would recommendgoing to the Cleveland Clinic for a consultation/treatment. Theirthoracic surgeon, Dr. Rice, is very

highly regarded and veryexperienced with Heller myotomies. I agree with Notan that many inthis group have had recurrent problems that aren't always the norm. The people that have had successful treatments and are back to theirold selves again, often don't post here. I hope that will be the casefor your husband. I also hope that your marriage remains strong. Myadvise for that is to learn all you can and share it with him. Knowledge is power. Good luck and keep us posted! in Michigan

Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join 's user panel and lay it on us.

[Guest guest]

Hi

Thanks for writing. You encouraged me to make a phone call to the

surgeon and ask again how many procedures he has done in a year and I

also wrote an email to a surgeon at Mass General asking him the same

question. Thanks for the boost. I am going to make an appointment

for a second opinion tomorrow! I guess I am dreading going for more

tests. I already have had 2 endoscopies, a barium swallow and a

manometry but I guess you are right that if I don't hurry I'll reduce

my worry!! It sounds like you have been through what I fear most-

which is that this Heller won't be the end of my achalasia....Did you

feel like your original myotomy was a success for a while?

What is life like after an esophagectomy?

As far as posting doctors names, so far all I can say is stay clear

of my original gastroenterologist!! My initial surgical consult has

not really told me anything worthwhile. People I know say he is

a " laparoscopic genius " but I don't know what his experience is

specifically with achalasia.

dawn

>

> Hey Dawn - you should definately get a 2nd opinion, especially if

the

> first guy won't tell you specifics. We have a right to know how

much

> experience they have - he may have done a myotomy yesterday but it

> may only be the 5th one he's ever done - how are you to know?

> Don't be anyones guinea pig. If you are in the vicinity of Boston,

> with many university and metro hospitals, you should have access to

> at least one doc who has done 100 or more and does them regularly.

We

> have a few posters from the area, hopefully someone will chime in

> with a recommendation.

> When I needed my -ectomy, I went to a few names that were

recommended

> to me but I also went to the websites of local universities (Duke

in

> Raleigh) and checked the surgeons out there and emailed them

> individually. I'll tell you, the chief of surgery at Duke gave me a

> vague 'oh, I've done plenty' response when I asked him about how

many

> ectomies he'd done and I never contacted him again.

> Remember, this is not having your appendix or gall bladder out -

this

> is very delicate and specific and unusual surgery. Take the time

now

> to find the experience you deserve and it will make a world of

> difference in the long run.

> Good luck in your search and please post for us the names of the

docs

> you find, both good and bad so we have some in your area for other

> members. there is a doctor database somewhere - I'm not sure where

> but we should all work on updating it.

>

> - in NC

>

[Guest guest]

Hi!

Does anyone still keep in touch with B from New Hampshire

listed on this website? I tried to email her personally with the

address listed and it bounced back. I believe she is the lister who

suggested Dr. Rattner in Boston.

Thanks everyone

Dawn

>

> Hey Dawn - you should definately get a 2nd opinion, especially if

the

> first guy won't tell you specifics. We have a right to know how

much

> experience they have - he may have done a myotomy yesterday but it

> may only be the 5th one he's ever done - how are you to know?

> Don't be anyones guinea pig. If you are in the vicinity of Boston,

> with many university and metro hospitals, you should have access to

> at least one doc who has done 100 or more and does them regularly.

We

> have a few posters from the area, hopefully someone will chime in

> with a recommendation.

> When I needed my -ectomy, I went to a few names that were

recommended

> to me but I also went to the websites of local universities (Duke

in

> Raleigh) and checked the surgeons out there and emailed them

> individually. I'll tell you, the chief of surgery at Duke gave me a

> vague 'oh, I've done plenty' response when I asked him about how

many

> ectomies he'd done and I never contacted him again.

> Remember, this is not having your appendix or gall bladder out -

this

> is very delicate and specific and unusual surgery. Take the time

now

> to find the experience you deserve and it will make a world of

> difference in the long run.

> Good luck in your search and please post for us the names of the

docs

> you find, both good and bad so we have some in your area for other

> members. there is a doctor database somewhere - I'm not sure where

> but we should all work on updating it.

>

> - in NC

>

[Guest guest]

Message 7860 from Beth says she lives in Grantham and is a 2nd grade teacher. She is mid 20's, maybe if you spy through whitepages.com or a teacher's website you can find her. Is Grantham large? All that was a while ago. It would be nice if Care Place (don't think it is possible here) would send out an email to active members every 6 months or a year to remind them to update their condition, maybe we would use that website more. Maybe if you ask the surgeon about her, his office would get in touch with her to see if she would contact you. You are special with a rare disease and they will bend over backwards to accomodate you. If not her, maybe they have a list of other patients you can check with.

Sandy> >> > Hey Dawn - you should definately get a 2nd opinion, especially if > the > > first guy won't tell you specifics. We have a right to know how > much > > experience they have - he may have done a myotomy yesterday but it > > may only be the 5th one he's ever done - how are you to know?> > Don't be anyones guinea pig. If you are in the vicinity of Boston, > > with many university and metro hospitals, you should have access to > > at least one doc who has done 100 or more and does them regularly. > We > > have a few posters from the area, hopefully someone will chime in > > with a recommendation.> > When I needed my -ectomy, I went to a few names that were > recommended > > to me but I also went to the websites of local universities (Duke > in > > Raleigh) and checked the surgeons out there and emailed them > > individually. I'll tell you, the chief of surgery at Duke gave me a > > vague 'oh, I've done plenty' response when I asked him about how > many > > ectomies he'd done and I never contacted him again.> > Remember, this is not having your appendix or gall bladder out - > this > > is very delicate and specific and unusual surgery. Take the time > now > > to find the experience you deserve and it will make a world of > > difference in the long run.> > Good luck in your search and please post for us the names of the > docs > > you find, both good and bad so we have some in your area for other > > members. there is a doctor database somewhere - I'm not sure where > > but we should all work on updating it.> > > > - in NC> >>

[Guest guest]

Hi !

Wow- thanks again for your encouragement. I am feeling really more

empowered and energized today. I made an appt with a surgeon

recommended by a member at Care Group and I got an email today from

the surgeon recommended by Beth from this site a while back.

I am going to see them both and hopefully try to figure out which one

of them is best. They both claim to do about 20 Hellers/year. They

also state they think that is about the " max " for the area. Do you

recall how many per year your surgeon does? Does 20/year sound like

a decent #?

Thank you thank you thank you for your good advice- I am so

grateful!!! I guess I never would have thought to send an email to

the chief of surgery and I also never would have thought he would

actually email back....

Have a great weekend

Dawn

-- In achalasia , " michelle " <mcnairmichelle@...>

wrote:

>

> I've had achalasia for well over 25 years and my myotomy lasted for

19

> years. It's impossible to say but I could venture to guess that if

I

> had gone to a really expererienced surgeon - maybe I would have

gotten

> even more time out of it (no internet in those days, I didn't know

any

> better).

> that's why I stress to take the time NOW to find someone who has

done

> hundreds of myo's. A doctor may be a 'laproscopic genius' but that

> doesnt' mean he knows his butt from a hole in the wall when it

comes to

> myotomys.

> It looks like you got some names from CarePlace. Don't be afraid to

> call/email ALL of them and ask them some questions. I made a list

of 5-

> 6 initial questions I wanted to ask and I sent the same email to 4

> different surgeons. 1 didn't bother to respond, 1 blew me off (the

one

> at Duke) and Dr.'s Rice and Luketich both took the time to

personally

> call me so they were the ones I chose from. Funny how they were

also

> the most well known and experienced!!

> Keep us posted on what else you hear and be assertive - it's your

body!

>

> - in NC

>

[Guest guest]

Whatever happened to the person in the NY area who wanted to go to a highly regarded surgeon but the surgeon didn't take any insurance and I think I couldn't fathom such a thing. I hope they still read and would maybe update us. I think later others chimed in that they knew this surgeon and used him and he was an insurance avoider but highly regarded. I was probably overbearing in not accepting the fact the doctor didn't take ANY insurance.

Sandy>> Hey Dawn - 20 per year really isn't as many as I personally would > like to see. Dr. Rice in Cleveland does - I don't know, someone here > probably has a really good idea but I'm guessing 50-100 a year? He's > done over 300 total. Dr. Luketich did my ectomy and I don't know how > many myotomies he's done but he does 150 -ectomies a year so I have > confidence in recommending him.> I'm glad you are looking at other options. It really will make a huge > difference to you in the long run to find the best that you can.> Is it possible for you to travel to either Pittsburgh or Cleveland? I > think there's a few doctors in the metro NY area as well who would be > classified as achalasia experts.> Hopefully some others will chime in here and offer some more names > for you to contact. You'd be surprised how many of them are willing > to call/email us. As Sandy in Cali always says, we are desireable > patients because we are rare and we add Kudos to doctors resumes.> Actually, Dr. Rice also told me how he loves to treat people with A > because we are so grateful. I told him, 'sure - when you haven't been > able to eat, any improvement is like the clouds parting and the > angels singing'. It was nice to speak with a surgeon who REALLY > understood.> Pittsburgh was nice too because I was speaking with one of the > surgeons who works on Dr. Luketich's team and she ASKED me about > spasms - she GOT IT - if you know what I mean. It's so nice when you > get someone with experience because they really do GET IT.> > Keep us posted on your 2nd (and 3rd, etc.) opinions. Good luck > finding someone with experience that you feel good about.> > - in NC>

[Guest guest]

, I also have had A for many years, [32] and did really well until the last 3 years or so. I didn't even know the proper name until about 4 years ago. I am now 57 and am 'looking forward' to an ectomy in august, then a trip to spain, maybe surgeries cause vacations????? [sorry, enough dumbness.] I would like to know the dr. at duke that you got blown off by. My GP here heard of a study they were doing at duke and I tried to get into it and finally was told to take some tests that were VERY expensive [cardiac and pulmonary clearance for surgery.] Which I passed!! and then she wanted me to be referred to another dr. that was not in the study. That was about a month ago and I need to up my antidepressants, just kidding, sort of. Anyway I just going to wait now for my medicare to kick in in aug. [i'm on disability 2 years then]. I know some here think a sense of humor is sacreligious but without mine I

don't know what I would be like now. You had to go through all that to be asked the drs. name. You can e-mail me privately if you feel more comfortable not saying the name here. Thanks Jeanie in montanamichelle <mcnairmichelle@...> wrote: I've had achalasia for well over 25 years and my myotomy lasted for 19 years. It's impossible to say but I could venture to guess that if I had gone to a really expererienced surgeon - maybe

I would have gotten even more time out of it (no internet in those days, I didn't know any better).that's why I stress to take the time NOW to find someone who has done hundreds of myo's. A doctor may be a 'laproscopic genius' but that doesnt' mean he knows his butt from a hole in the wall when it comes to myotomys.It looks like you got some names from CarePlace. Don't be afraid to call/email ALL of them and ask them some questions. I made a list of 5-6 initial questions I wanted to ask and I sent the same email to 4 different surgeons. 1 didn't bother to respond, 1 blew me off (the one at Duke) and Dr.'s Rice and Luketich both took the time to personally call me so they were the ones I chose from. Funny how they were also the most well known and experienced!!Keep us posted on what else you hear and be assertive - it's your body!- in NC

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Whatever happened to the person in the NY area who wanted to go to a highly regarded surgeon but the surgeon didn't take any insurance and I think I couldn't fathom such a thing. I hope they still read and would maybe update us. I think later others chimed in that they knew this surgeon and used him and he was an insurance avoider but highly regarded. I was probably overbearing in not accepting the fact the doctor didn't take ANY insurance.

Sandy>> Hey Dawn - 20 per year really isn't as many as I personally would > like to see. Dr. Rice in Cleveland does - I don't know, someone here > probably has a really good idea but I'm guessing 50-100 a year? He's > done over 300 total. Dr. Luketich did my ectomy and I don't know how > many myotomies he's done but he does 150 -ectomies a year so I have > confidence in recommending him.> I'm glad you are looking at other options. It really will make a huge > difference to you in the long run to find the best that you can.> Is it possible for you to travel to either Pittsburgh or Cleveland? I > think there's a few doctors in the metro NY area as well who would be > classified as achalasia experts.> Hopefully some others will chime in here and offer some more names > for you to contact. You'd be surprised how many of them are willing > to call/email us. As Sandy in Cali always says, we are desireable > patients because we are rare and we add Kudos to doctors resumes.> Actually, Dr. Rice also told me how he loves to treat people with A > because we are so grateful. I told him, 'sure - when you haven't been > able to eat, any improvement is like the clouds parting and the > angels singing'. It was nice to speak with a surgeon who REALLY > understood.> Pittsburgh was nice too because I was speaking with one of the > surgeons who works on Dr. Luketich's team and she ASKED me about > spasms - she GOT IT - if you know what I mean. It's so nice when you > get someone with experience because they really do GET IT.> > Keep us posted on your 2nd (and 3rd, etc.) opinions. Good luck > finding someone with experience that you feel good about.> > - in NC>

[Guest guest]

Jeanie wrote:

.... I know some here think a sense of humor is sacreligious ...

Naturally!

The word achalasia is from the Greek a+chalasis, a(not) chalasia

(relaxed). This is an ancient way of saying too tight. Most of the

Greeks were loose by comparison and enjoyed parties where they got

together and did such things as mastication. Those too-tight Greeks of

course did not want to masticate with them. This lead to all kinds of

strains between the too-tight and loose Greeks. Even in families there

were problems, loose parents trying to force a too-tight child to

masticate and too-tight husbands with loose wives no longer sleeping

together. This has gone on through the centuries. The Romans, who were

also known for their parties, tried to have all people masticate in

feasts to the emperor as a sign of loyalty. There was a sect among the

too-tights though that argued that Jonah needed the too-tight fish to

complete his mission. Jonah may have been in the belly of the beast but

clearly was not digested so they comforted themselves with the words,

"reguritatus Ionae." They

argued that they, like the fish, were a sign, and it was not their

fault if others and even the emperor found them hard to understand.

Things are much the same today. With pictures of the President with his

face in kitty fur while masticating in public (see here:

http://tinyurl.com/232m4e ), it seems that everyone is very loose and

having fun, but though the president may do this loose behavior this is

not something the achalasic will easily swallow.

notan

[Guest guest]

HOLY HAIR BALL!!

THAT would definitely NOT go down!!

Dawn

Re: Dawn

Jeanie wrote: ... I know some here think a sense of humor is sacreligious ...Naturally! The word achalasia is from the Greek a+chalasis, a(not) chalasia (relaxed). This is an ancient way of saying too tight. Most of the Greeks were loose by comparison and enjoyed parties where they got together and did such things as mastication. Those too-tight Greeks of course did not want to masticate with them. This lead to all kinds of strains between the too-tight and loose Greeks. Even in families there were problems, loose parents trying to force a too-tight child to masticate and too-tight husbands with loose wives no longer sleeping together. This has gone on through the centuries. The Romans, who were also known for their parties, tried to have all people masticate in feasts to the emperor as a sign of loyalty. There was a sect among the too-tights though that argued that Jonah needed the too-tight fish to complete his mission. Jonah may have been in the belly of the beast but clearly was not digested so they comforted themselves with the words, "reguritatus Ionae." They argued that they, like the fish, were a sign, and it was not their fault if others and even the emperor found them hard to understand. Things are much the same today. With pictures of the President with his face in kitty fur while masticating in public (see here: http://tinyurl.com/232m4e ), it seems that everyone is very loose and having fun, but though the president may do this loose behavior this is not something the achalasic will easily swallow.notan

[Guest guest]

I didn’t used to like to masticate

in public, but now, nearly 6 years after having been myotomized, public

mastication has become quite pleasurable……..

Wishing all achalasians the enjoyment of

public mastication!

Sandi in No CA

From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of notan ostrich

Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2008

1:13 AM

achalasia

Subject: Re: Dawn

Jeanie

wrote:

.... I know some here think a sense of humor is sacreligious ...

Naturally!

The word achalasia is from the Greek a+chalasis, a(not) chalasia (relaxed).

This is an ancient way of saying too tight. Most of the Greeks were loose by

comparison and enjoyed parties where they got together and did such things as

mastication. Those too-tight Greeks of course did not want to masticate with

them. This lead to all kinds of strains between the too-tight and loose Greeks.

Even in families there were problems, loose parents trying to force a too-tight

child to masticate and too-tight husbands with loose wives no longer sleeping

together. This has gone on through the centuries. The Romans, who were also

known for their parties, tried to have all people masticate in feasts to the

emperor as a sign of loyalty. There was a sect among the too-tights though that

argued that Jonah needed the too-tight fish to complete his mission. Jonah may

have been in the belly of the beast but clearly was not digested so they

comforted themselves with the words, " reguritatus Ionae. "

They argued that they, like the fish, were a sign, and it was not their fault

if others and even the emperor found them hard to understand. Things are much

the same today. With pictures of the President with his face in kitty fur while

masticating in public (see here: http://tinyurl.com/232m4e

), it seems that everyone is very loose and having fun, but though the

president may do this loose behavior this is not something the achalasic will

easily swallow.

notan

[Guest guest]

Dear Notan, et al, Thank you for this journey through Classics! (I was married for 18 years to the Chair of Classics at U.C.L.A. and am very familiar with Greek and Roman language and life and so, your post has made me smile; in fact, I am smiling still!) My marriage ended with much unhappiness and depression followed. But, I'd much rather be achalasic than anhedonic. So. Here I am, post-Hellers, able to swallow almost anything, so I send my "kala" to you for having reminded me of the fun side of Classical tightness, mastication and looseness. And you avoided the vomitorium altogether. Efkaristo! Ah, there are so many applications! Good old Greek and Latin roots! Arete, Deborah

[Guest guest]

Deborah wrote:

Dear Notan, et al,

.... you avoided the vomitorium altogether. Efkaristo!

We could go into speculation that the Spartans were all too-tight. This

could explain much about them and specifically their fondness for black

soup and a willingness to die in battle.

notan

Off to gather together with others and do some masticating. No black

soup for me!

[Guest guest]

Nice job Dawn,

way to be proactive!

I didn't know about this site, and the Dr. list before my surgery. I wish I had. I don't know how different things would have been, but I would have had a lot more information going in.

I guess I got lucky...so far anyway, knock on wood. Mine claimed hundreds in his career. Don't know what that meant at the time, as I didn't have any other information to compare that to.

Use all the resources you have available.

Re: Dawn

Hi !Wow- thanks again for your encouragement. I am feeling really more empowered and energized today. I made an appt with a surgeon recommended by a member at Care Group and I got an email today from the surgeon recommended by Beth from this site a while back. I am going to see them both and hopefully try to figure out which one of them is best. They both claim to do about 20 Hellers/year. They also state they think that is about the "max" for the area. Do you recall how many per year your surgeon does? Does 20/year sound like a decent #?Thank you thank you thank you for your good advice- I am so grateful!!! I guess I never would have thought to send an email to the chief of surgery and I also never would have thought he would actually email back.... :)Have a great weekendDawn-- In achalasia@grou ps.com, "michelle" <mcnairmichelle@ ...> wrote:>> I've had achalasia for well over 25 years and my myotomy lasted for 19 > years. It's impossible to say but I could venture to guess that if I > had gone to a really expererienced surgeon - maybe I would have gotten > even more time out of it (no internet in those days, I didn't know any > better).> that's why I stress to take the time NOW to find someone who has done > hundreds of myo's. A doctor may be a 'laproscopic genius' but that > doesnt' mean he knows his butt from a hole in the wall when it comes to > myotomys.> It looks like you got some names from CarePlace. Don't be afraid to > call/email ALL of them and ask them some questions. I made a list of 5-> 6 initial questions I wanted to ask and I sent the

same email to 4 > different surgeons. 1 didn't bother to respond, 1 blew me off (the one > at Duke) and Dr.'s Rice and Luketich both took the time to personally > call me so they were the ones I chose from. Funny how they were also > the most well known and experienced! !> Keep us posted on what else you hear and be assertive - it's your body!> > - in NC>

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search.

[Guest guest]

Dawn

" I have lost 70 pounds at this point and figure I will probably lose some more in the next month but I am hoping to keep the weight off as I was overweight before. "

That was my intention too but I failed miserably and its all gone back on but hey, I am eating so dont really care.

Andy

Yorkshire, England

[Guest guest]

Andy,

That's the spirit. I too would rather be fat than suffering from achalasia!!

My tag line for chat groups is sickoffat which is a tagline I used when on a weight loss chat board some years ago. I think my first post here was to jokingly say sometimes you have to watch out what you wish and pray for. I had been thinking about weight loss surgery but had cold feet and lack of cash- I actually prayed that I would "feel like I had gastric bypass surgery" and therefore lose the weight.....Now, as Notan so reassuringly reminded me, I have probably prayed for lots of other things in the past that have never come to fruition, but dang- I have thought about being more careful about what I wish and pray for!!

So, eat away my friend!!

Dawn (Boston)

Re: Dawn

Dawn

"I have lost 70 pounds at this point and figure I will probably lose some more in the next month but I am hoping to keep the weight off as I was overweight before."

That was my intention too but I failed miserably and its all gone back on but hey, I am eating so dont really care.

Andy

Yorkshire, England

[Guest guest]

Hi Dawn,

Welcome to the Stimulator group.

If the trial worked well, you'll love your implant.

Sorry to hear that it's later rather than sooner.

I'm from Western Australia. I've had my stim implanted for 10 months now. I love

it. Did take a little getting used to. When to amp it up and when to back it

off.

Please be very careful after you have had your op. The Stim leads need to " scar "

in to place so they don't move. Make sure you don't do any stretching, twisting

or excessive bending. You'll have to be pretty laid back for about 6 - 8 weeks.

Even if you feel like your better after about 4 weeks and want to do any of the

house work. Don't. It's important you take care of yourself.

I had mine implanted after 7 back surgeries. You'll also notice a decrease in

your pain as well. Be careful not to back that off to quick or you'll end up

with what they call " break through " pain. Which can be pretty awful to go

through. Eventually you'll be able to reduce your medication, but make sure you

take it pretty slowly.

Ask away any questions you would like answered. There is always someone on here

that will be able to help you out. Or they can tell you where to access more

reading from.

Hoping your pain is better than yesterday & less tomorrow.

Warm Cheers