United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I'm seein' a Doc soon and his deal is microsurg, rehab ect. I'm lookin' into this DREZ thing and I'm worried cuz I have a feeling this guy's gonna want to do something. Don't know what, but he's a cutter and he's gonna want to cut something. I hope and pray he can relieve this pain to ANY extent, but I've been thru so many "cures" over these 11 years I'm about cured to death.To have a night where I sleep more than 2 hours without waking up--do you know what I'd give for just THAT? Just to be able to get 5 or 6 hours of real sleep!!!! DRUG FREE. I haven't slept in 11 years. Really. It sounds like the beginning of a science fiction story. Well. DREZ. whatever. I'm a little worried. I'm a lot worried. What if he can't do anything? I can't live another 11 with that. There's no way. Better break out a 55 gallon drum of thorazine cuz I'd snap. I can't live another decade like this. This is end game. This guy--Dr. Lourie in Atlanta--he's supposed to be good I guess. I hope he is. I really hope he is. I've been doing great the last couple three months but we all know what happens. The longer the 'good spells' the more horrible the 'episodes' of pain. Just wish me luck with this guy, this Dr. Lourie. I hope he's got a good sharp knife and a plan.--------Ronin

Let us know mate how it goes...we're all behind you on this one! DREZ isn't so scary anymore...they have been routinely using this as pain control in Europe for many years now (not so in the UK...the surgeons here are still a bit wary of it...)I'm off to a BPI symposium later this year and if it is anything like the last one I went to, they will have a series of discussions and presentations about BPI pain and the role that DREZ plays in treating it. It's one set of discussions that I will DEFINITELY be attending and taking notes at.

We have several people here in the UK who have had successful DREZ surgery...I can put you in touch with them if it would help? Meanwhile, have a look at this thread on the TBPI Group message boardshttp://p072.ezboard.com/fadultswithbrachialplexusinjuriesfrm1.showMessage?topicID=689.topic ...get yourself a cup of coffee first...it's very long!

Good luck with the appointment...don't go expecting a miracle cure tho, just the sleep thing would help by miles, I know exactly where you're coming from on that one. Email me if you fancy a chat..I'll send you my IM name.

Lizzy B