Post by acrobatinmydreams on Jul 6, 2015 9:43:08 GMT -8
It really bothers me that they are using these stimulators as a cure all. I found another article this morning.
nationalpainreport.com/the-voice-of-the-chronic-pain-patient-is-not-being-heard-8826686.html
Lobbying is big business and I don't think I would be so concerned if the patient's well being was being considered. No one is thinking about the long term. Even though these things have been in use since the 60's for carefully chosen patients. They have never been used in such a widespread way.
They are not using them in other countries like this. Let's not forget "permanent insertion" requires a laminectomy which is removing part of your vertebrae to put it in. I talked to a woman yesterday that was so excited about getting hers and she had talked to five patients that had them. I think these doctors here are promising things they may not be able to deliver. It would be interesting to find out if the patients she talked to had theirs more than a year. Everything I am reading is that pain relief only lasts a year or a little longer. It is called the placebo effect like when you are part of a drug study.
It would be much easier to consider if the profit issues was not a part of this.
The “standard of care” for the treatment of pain is often established by CMS/Medicare reimbursement schedules, and currently there are over 9 million epidural steroid injections (ESI’s) administered each year and they typically cost approximately $2000 per injection. Federal Work Comp will usually pay top dollar around $2000 to $2500 per injection. When combined with SCSs, intrathecal pain pumps, and other procedures, interventional pain has become a lucrative multi-billion dollar industry capitalizing on desperate people.
I know I just don't want to be a guinea pig....
Remember in the USA, when you sign that consent form, it says that they made you aware of "all the complications that can happen". Technically, you have no recourse if they paralyze you because you consented that you knew that was a risk. I have a friend who was paralyzed in high school in Louisiana because his parents signed a consent that said they were aware of the risks of the back surgery he was having. They sued twice and lost because "the parents gave consent". It holds much weight in the event something goes wrong. By law, consent has to contain every risk that could "possibly" happen including death and when you are being sold these "snake oil cures" by someone whose incentive is to make money.....Remember that. Money in a lawsuit cannot bring you back.