| Carl: Intractable migraine and sleep apnea (post trial & 1 yr post implant) |
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Carl suffered with migraines for 30 years, trying every type of procedure and medication available.
"All these years and not finding anything that worked - and all of a sudden it's gone. It's just amazing." 3 Weeks Post Trial:1 Year Post Implant:Dr. Greenspan: What was your life like before the trial? Carl: Hell. Pain never went below 8 on the [0-10] pain scale. Dr. Greenspan: So you had migraines? For how many years? Carl: Yes. Migraines for 30 years. Dr. Greenspan: How many doctors did you see along the way? Carl: Several. Went to pain clinics and different hospitals. Got nowhere. Dr. Greenspan: You tried a lot of different medications? Carl: About everything they know about. Dr. Greenspan: Procedures, blocks, injections? Carl: Yes, everything. Dr. Greenspan: Was the trial procedure itself painful? Carl: No. Dr. Greenspan: So it was over before you knew it? Carl: Really, it was [smiles]. Dr. Greenspan: How long did it take after the trial before you started noticing a difference? Carl: The next morning. It was like I had died and gone to heaven. There was no pain. Dr. Greenspan: While the electrodes were under your skin, did you have any migraines at all? Carl: I had two or three. [Pain] was about an 8. I took one dose of morphine and it was gone in a few minutes. Dr. Greenspan: So, you were able to control them whereas in the past you weren't able to control them. And you only had a couple, whereas before you were having them every day. Dr. Greenspan: You're looking forward to the implant, then? Carl: You better believe it! Dr. Greenspan: How about your sleep. Was your sleep affected at all? Carl: It's one thing that kept me going. I did have good sleep. Dr. Greenspan: You normally trouble sleeping don't you. Have to wear a mask, sleep apnea... With the trial, you were able to do well sleeping? Carl: Very good. Go to bed and sleep all night. Dr. Greenspan: What would you say to somebody who was on the fence about the procedure? Carl: "Do it immediately. Never a second thought." Dr. Greenspan: Anything else you'd like to share?Carl: It's wonderful. All these years and not finding anything that worked - and all of a sudden it's gone. It's just amazing.
For more information, read Promising new treatment: Occipital Neuromodulation. |
