Ron
As a New York-based hairstylist with an international clientele, Ron was a busy and active professional. He was very happy with his career and life—until 2013, when he began struggling with severe back pain. Standing for hours at a time was difficult, and air travel was debilitating.
Ron tried prescription medications, injections, and physical therapy, but none provided sufficient pain relief. At one point, he was taking seven doses of pain medications just to get through the day, and the side effects of those medications affected his ability to be on point and personable with his clients and colleagues.
The pain affected Ron’s home life, as well. It forced him to stop some of his favorite activities, such as walking and running. At times, Ron’s wife had to pick him up from the floor after he had a crippling back spasm, and his children had to help him walk.
One day, his doctor suggested that Ron try StimRouter. Ron was hesitant, but soon after receiving the device, knew he had found the solution he needed to feel normal again. Using StimRouter also has let him cut back on the medication he needs to manage his pain.
Now, Ron can walk about a half-mile and help with tasks around the house. He says StimRouter is a great addition to his care plan, as it helps him regain independence and gives him hope for a pain-free future.
Meredith
On September 1, 2018, Meredith’s life took an unexpected and unpleasant turn. The kindergarten teacher awoke that morning with excruciating back pain that, in time, was diagnosed as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
Like many people coping with CRPS, Meredith found the pain affecting every aspect of her life. She could no longer perform normal activities normally: walking, sleeping, fully engaging with her students, and more.
Meredith explored all of her options for relief, from surgical approaches to medication therapy. Then, her pain management physician, Jay Kumar, MD, D.ABA, Chief Medical Officer at Spine & Pain Specialists of the Carolinas, suggested that she try StimRouter.
After four years of living with pain, Meredith was open to almost any promising solution. Happily, StimRouter turned out to be right for her. Just eight weeks after receiving the device, she went on a wonderful—and pain-free!—vacation to Cancun, Mexico. She has regained control of her life and returned to many of the activities she enjoys, including traveling to Jamaica, Hawaii, Belgium and other destinations around the world.
Meredith shares her story in hopes of helping others who struggle with chronic pain. She spoke with WRAL and Durham Magazine about her experiences:
Kaye
“I had been suffering from chronic pain for over a year and a half. I couldn’t sit. I couldn’t walk. My pain was normally a 7 out of 10, peaking at a 9/10 three times a day and I had to lay down. Even then, my pain only went down to a 5/10.
“One doctor recommended cortisone injections and I didn’t want to do that because of my feelings about the risks. I stuck with physical therapy and it was painful, but it at least allowed me to function. After the StimRouter implant, I did continue physical therapy for other pain, but I didn’t need therapy anymore for the specific location the StimRouter was treating. I also didn’t need as much pain medication.
“Before the StimRouter, I was having a hard time sitting and walking. After the implant, there was an 80% to 90% increase in my mobility.
“Now, I don’t need to wear the StimRouter every day. I use it for six hours every other day to control my pain. I was surprised as to how well the StimRouter worked. It was a life-saver. When you’re an active person like I am and all of a sudden your body doesn’t work and you’re in constant pain, it’s very tough. Now, I don’t have pain anymore.
“Chronic pain does work against your psyche, to the point of depression, with not being able to move and being in constant pain. I’m so mobile now and constantly busy.”
