Pre-Op Tests and Rechargable SCS Battery

Hello All!

I hope you are all liking the new design of my blog. I was creative one night and instead of pulling out all of my scrapbook supplies I came on here and did a new blog design.

I had my Pre-Operative tests done today and surgery is a go on Wednesday. It is not scheduled till around 3:15 in the afternoon so I know that I am going to be pretty hungry by the time they knock me out. I always tend to believe that the fasting and IV are the worst parts of procedures. My body just cant go without food that long and getting an IV well that's another story.

I am excited though that I will be getting the rechargeable Spinal Cord Stimulator Battery so that I wont have to be going through this for at least 10 yrs or so (last how long the battery is suppose to last). I will have to charge it at least once a month or more depending on how much voltage I use but that is worth it to me not to be having to go through this every few years. The battery I have in now was suppose to last 3-5 years and Ive had it less than 3. It will be officially 3 years in December but my Dr and nurses are surprised how quick it went.

I was explaining to J (my boyfriend of 2 months) about RSD and the SCS and he was curious just like everyone is when they first here about it. I have been blessed though with a boyfriend who has taken the time to ask me questions and understand that there are somethings I am not able to do but just because I have RSD doesn't mean I cant be an active participant in life. I think we all need to keep in mind if you or a loved one has a chronic illness / chronic pain doesn't mean their voice shouldn't be heard or they cant participate in activities. We love to have fun just like everyone else.

For those who are about to be getting the SCS and would like to contact me please feel free to. It was the best decision I made and I still love the SCS today. It has helped me gain my life back and there was no way I could have done that without it. I don't feel like I "gave into it" or "settled" for it. Its an amazing piece of technology that people with Chronic Pain have been given access to.

Healing Thoughts to All!


Email: erikkaberry@yahoo.com

Surgery Date

I had a last minute Dr's appointment yesterday where we discussed my upcoming revisoin surgery for my SCS. I am happy to anounce that even though my Dr. isnt able to perform the revision himself that another Dr is willing to do it. If insurance approves the surgery everything should be a go for Wednesday with the pre-op be the Monday before.

With the revision surgery being on Wednesday will give me time to recover before going back to school on Sunday. Im not too worried especially since this is just a battery replacement.

Life Is Good!

Hi All! I hope you are all having a great week and enjoying the lovely weather, I know I am. I have to keep this a little short since my dog is waiting for me to take her on our nightly walk.

I have been having an awesome time eating foods that are nourishing my body, one bite at a time. I actually became a little attached to a veggie sub I started making. My dad had left over hoggie buns from his lunch this week so I grilled one on our stove grill and cut up some fresh vegetables that we had (green pepper, cucumber, celery). I added a bit of spinach and veganise and olala it was soo good! Its perfect for a hot day way no one doesn't want to cook.

Not too much has been going on here. I went to my Pain Management Dr's yesterday to get my SCS reprogrammed. He suggested that I get it reprogramed last time that I saw him. All I had to do was see his nurse practitioner and the Medtronics Representative. The Medtronics Representative checked my battery and let me know the reason that I had to turn my battery up more is because my battery is starting to go. I have a 3-5 year battery and I have had it implanted since December 2007 so it will be 4 years in December. She gave me the signs to look for and my remote will let me know when to call the Dr. I just hope it doesn't happen during the school year. She told me it shouldn't and that I probably have a year left but that is just an estimate.

After the Dr's Appointment my mom and I went to Khols. Since I have lost so much weight in the last year because of becoming vegan I dong have any shorts (besides athletic ones) to wear. I got some really cute shorts and tops which fit me with out me having to go and getting a bigger or smaller size. I had a gift card too so the clothes were needed and were a gift to myself for all of my hard work this year. Also to show off a bit in NYC (we all like to show off, admit it!).

Well I'm off to go on my walk. My dog won't stop crying...lol. I'm reading an interesting book about medical symptoms and would like to share with you some concepts. I will have to next time.

Healing Thoughts!!

* P.S. The Concert on Monday was awesome, I got to see Friends I havent seen in a while. Its always great to get away and enjoy some music for awhile.

The Warm Weather is Here

I am truely excited that the warm weather is here. For me it means a slight reduction in pain levels, hopefully. With the amount of rain and humidity that comes with spring I do start to flair a bit more than the other months. I cant deny that I rather have the warmer weather though.

I saw my Pain Management Dr today. I dont see my PM too often, maybe about every 3 to 4 months. Lately I have a an increase in pain and was going to switch over to the nucynta but it was simply too strong for my body to handle. We talked about other options. I am going to stick to my regular pain medication but I can add an extra pill or two of Ultram during the day as needed. I believe this is going to help significantly. My Dr also asked about my SCS. I love my SCS and think its one of the best decisions that Ive made regarding my health. It takes away the majority of my burring pain that I experience. According to my Dr it seems to do that and my pain medicine helps with the stabbing pain. He suggested that I get my SCS re-programed so that I have several options or programs to work with. Right now I have two programs; 1. Im up and walking, sitting, ect. 2. Laying down (spinal cord is compressed).

We also talked about how my stomach has still been giving me trouble six months after the first symptoms started. It was suggested that I start writing a food journal or diary and keep track the foods that cause me a problem. I told him about my switch to veganism and how when I did do milk products I would get sick so I stopped. Also how veggies help me from getting sick, Im guessing because they are high fiber foods. I am going to do the food journal though starting tomorrow and see if I can actually pinpoint what is making me sick or if I actually do have RSD in my stomach like I think I do. The thing is though most people with RSD in their stomach cant absorb foods and vomit them up, I think the RSD is just affecting my pyloric sphincter (the part of the stomach that lets the food pass from stomach to intestines). In the meantime I am still on the Levsin before I eat which helps but is a pain to remember to take before hand and takes forever to dissolve in my mouth.

Ive been hurting a bit more lately due to the rain and moisture in the air. Im not sure if its a good thing when your able to predict when its going to rain just by your pain levels going up.

Becoming a Pain Survivor

I help co-run a RSD Group on Facebook, when I came across a plea from a sister who's brother has RSD my heart went out to their family. It mostly reminded me of the start of my journey with this condition. I was scared, nervous, and didn't know what to expect.


Ive always been able to express how I feel both emotionally and physically. Thanks to a great friend who also has RSD, I was able to accept my new life and embrace it. I had to see a pain psychologist due to getting a Spinal Cord Stimulator implanted. She re-assured me that I could become a nurse I would just need a few accommodations in the work force.


Over the years these tips have helped me become a pain survivor:


1. Find someone you trust that you can talk to, it can be a family member, friend, or therapist


2. Find time to relax and decompress from your day, pain is often worse at night so let those muscles start to relax


3. Find a hobby or start volunteering