This is my story of PAIN and Much More.

The BEST way I can describe this pain is:

Several KNIVES inside my lower abdomen/stomach, cutting and poking from the inside; then, the BURNING ~  All this lasts for the entire day and night - began July, 2008 - Still Here.

I have been in horrific pain, my stomach, lower abdomen, 24/7 since July, 2008.  My husband and I have been to every doctor possible to find out exactly "WHERE My Pain Is Coming From."  We've seen at least 40 doctors, counting _several trips to the emergency room, mainly because I did not have a family doctor whom I could see and/or depend on.

(See "And They Call Themselves Doctors")

This pain is like trying to explain to someone who's never had a "Headache, Or "Cut," just what it's painfully like.

I was diagnosed with Lung Cancer, September, 2007.  My main treatment to kill the cancer was "Radiation."  Thank God that the Treatments worked, but, they fried my Esophagus along with other problems which I'll be addressing.

So, I began having terrible pains in my lower stomach.  Each time I saw a new doctor, he/she couldn't give me a reason for this pain?  They just brushed me off, said to go home, and it would go away.  The pain began getting worse with each passing day, week and month, until it was SO bad that I was debilitated; only able to "lie down on my sofa."  I had No LIFE anymore.  

I've always been a very active person.  Walking all of the time around our neighborhood for exercise, and jumping into my car to go to various places.  My husband and I would also go out to dinner several times a week with our friends.  I had a life-style of just being active!  I had lost so much weight during my treatments, that it also weakened me.  But, when I received the first "All Clear of Cancer News, back on January 29th, 2008, I was of course relieved and Thrilled!"  I was ready to resume my life as I knew it before the Cancer treatments.

After a while, my husband made an appointment with a Pain Doctor.  At first, I was against this.  However, upon my initial visit, he evaluated me, and put me on a Pain Medicine called Neurontin, in addition to Vicodin.  I have NEVER liked taking any pain medicines, or, any pills either.  However, at the point I was at, I desperately needed pain medicines to help with my pain.

The First Pain Doctor did not work out at all.  He was completely unprofessional, insulting, uncaring and we had enough.  I only found my current Pain Doctor, who I will be leaving Unfortunately After I had surgeries with this man whom I've found to be inept, along with his Surgery for ME:  The placement of the Battery Pack and Wires/Leads attached to the back of my head.  I am having SO much pain from the back of my head, and chest where the battery pack/stim is located.  Next Step:  Find a Qualified Surgeon to remove all of this.  I do NOT want to go back to the so-called Pain Doctor who did this surgery, I just don't like or trust him.  My body is most likely 'rejecting,' all that's been surgically implanted; I've been feeling "Sick,"  but not the traditional sick - a different sick, and I'm Cold from the inside out, in addition to night sweats?

(See: "My Story")

Occipital Stimulator Electrode Placement

(I Had 4 Surgeries: Trial; Removal Of Trial; Permanent Stim; Replacement Of TOO Large Battery In My Chest)

I DO understand WHY our insurance company disallowed my surgery:  It is NOT recognized by them or the FDA.  This is a procedure that Dr. T. invented.  I am living proof that this type of Stim doesn't work!  I am SO sorry we fought them, and didn't try for another Pain Doctor - Qualified who's done many procedures via the stomach, back, etc.

 

 

About My New Pain Doctor:

 

 

Main Site: http://www.ct-neurosurg.com/index.htm

 

http://www.ct-neurosurg.com/ourdoctors.htm

 

Dr. David Glassman

Dr. Glassman is a graduate of the Sackler School of Medicine, New York, NY-Tel Aviv, Israel. He did his residency training at Yale University, Department of Anesthesiology as well as a Pain Management Fellowship. He is a licensed M.D. in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.
Dr. Glassman is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiologists. Dr. Glassman is a specialist in Pain Management.

 

 

About The Practice:

 

Connecticut Neurosurgery, PC began as Neurosurgical Associates of New Haven in 1971 with Dr. Lycurgus Davey, Dr. Alvin Greenberg, Dr Franklin Robinson and Dr. Isaac Goodrich. Connecticut Neurosurgery has evolved into an integrated multi-specialty neuroscience center presenting a full spectrum of care across the continuum of adult neurosurgery, physical rehabilitation and medicine and pain management. It now consists of seven physicians including five operating Neurosurgeons: Drs. Thomas J. Arkins, Gary M. Bloomgarden, Isaac Goodrich, James K. Sabshin and Patrick Tomak, Pain Management: Dr. David Glassman and Physician Medicine and Rehabilitation: Dr. Martin Hasenfeld.  Our practice provides excellence in neurosurgical care. We offer responsive, caring service; state-of-the-art technical innovations; and many years of in-depth experience. All the members of our Group have achieved considerable expertise in specific subspecialties within neurosurgery, which include cerebrovascular; neuro-oncology; stereotactic;trauma care; and spinal services.  Above all, the emphasis of our practice continues to be patient-focused: consistently providing caring, competent clinical neurosurgery. Committed to continued advanced medical education, our physicians stay current in technical advances in medicine and neurosurgery, so we can deliver the most advanced care to our patients.