Because that amount of pain changes your brain in ways I can’t even begin to describe." And Ashleigh noted that by the time she had her system implanted, “I was at a breaking point. Pain medications helped at first but became less effective in time.Ībbott has the only FDA-approved neurostimulation device, Proclaim™ DRG, to treat the dorsal root ganglion. CRPS is a burning, stabbing, stinging, or throbbing pain that makes the affected leg extremely sensitive to touch. In time doctors diagnosed her with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Getting a diagnosis, and a neurostimulation device "We went from being a true partnership to him doing it all." Because walking was too much to handle."Īnd husband Chris was doing everything that Ashleigh couldn't. She went from being an active mom to her son “to being on the couch all the time. Six months later, "if a breeze hit my foot, I would be in crippling pain, like the feeling of being burned. Her doctor was at first puzzled by the source of the pain. Not long ago, Ashleigh became disabled after badly twisting her ankle. Now that I'm able to push her on the swings and play games, I realize that I can have those moments I thought I'd lost forever.”Īshleigh: Pain took away the joys of life, but the right therapy helped restore them "A two-year-old can't understand why you scream when she touches your leg. "The times I couldn't chase her around broke my heart because that's all I wanted to do, to spend time with her," said Robert. Now able to carry his daughter on his shoulders "It doesn't take more than 30 seconds to adjust my spinal cord stimulator, and it helps my mood that I feel like I can depend on the results.” “It is very easy to use, and I tweak and adjust settings as necessary," said Robert. He uses the same app to modify his therapy based on his doctor’s prescribed settings. I get the relief I need whether I'm home or in a hotel room." I am able do all this without ever having to go to office, especially because I love to travel and now I can. "One of the great things about the app is that no matter where I am, if there's a usable Wi-Fi‡ signal, I can request remote care where my doctors can tailor the device settings to match what I'm experiencing. He also relies on the NeuroSphere™ Virtual Clinic app, which allows him to connect remotely with his doctor. I’m not worried that I'll get lost midway through a sentence because of my meds. I can take long walks and experience things with my friends. When he had pain relief during the trial period, he decided to have the device implantation.Īnd now? "The device has given me enough freedom to where I now go back out and do things. "It allowed me to record my responses to different stimuli, which was helpful information for my doctor," Robert noted. He used Abbott’s NeuroSphere™ myPath™ app during the trial period. Robert underwent a temporary trial implant. Then Robert’s pain doctors suggested Abbott's Proclaim™ XR SCS therapy. But I kept getting worse," Robert explained. "We tried opioids, different physical therapies, some electrostimulation devices, acupuncture and more. Relief with a trial period, then an SCS implantation They also interfered with my ability to think and articulate clearly, which made it tough to do my job." "We tried so many different medications, but they were not very effective. And emotionally, that was incredibly difficult to deal with," said Robert. I likewise couldn't sleep because my leg felt like it was being crushed in a vise, and every step I took felt like a hammer hitting my leg.”Īs the pain progressed “I wasn't able to function as a Marine, a lawyer, or even a husband and father because I couldn't do things we would normally do as a family. He couldn’t even take a bath because “any contact with the water, regardless of temperature, felt like daggers. "Immediately after the operation, I had very intense pain,” said Robert. After another surgery he suffered severe peripheral nerve damage. The heavy packs, long hikes, and extensive running began to take their toll on his previously injured leg, and Robert broke his ankle. But he did not give up on his dream of being a Marine, going on active duty in 2015. And that's a terrifying thing as a young father.Īfter breaking his leg in three places, having surgery, and being deemed not physically qualified to continue with Marine Officer Training School at the time, Robert focused on a law degree. He realized that he "could not take care of her by myself. "I think the saddest moment was when I realized I couldn't pick up my two-year-old daughter,” said Robert, a Marine officer and lawyer who was not accustomed to feeling vulnerable. Robert: From constant, severe pain to now carrying his daughter on his shoulders
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