TIPNA

[peg]

Hi Everyone,

I have found on the internet a new therapy that is used for cancer pain & severe intractable neuropathic pain. It was invented in Europe. It is an external device with up to 5 leads that are placed at points of pain. It delivers a "no pain" signal by way of the c fiber pathways to the brain. Your brain recognizes it as your own bodily nervous signal. One full course of treatment consists of 10-12 sessions lasting 40 minutes. It maybe anywhere from 1 to 3 or 12 months between courses of treatment. Average vas scores of 8 decreased to levels of 1-2. During each session you willnot feel your neuropathic pain. With each session your pain levels will decrease. Patients recieving this therapy are weaned off of their medications. This therapy has successfully treated pudendal neuropathy. They are currently planning on opening 12 more clinics. This device is very high tech. & FDA approved. There are 2 clinics currently-1 @ Fairfield CT/2nd is Massey Cancer Ctr Virginia. Take care......................peg
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peg

[guggi]

Thank you, Peg, for this most informative and interesting post. It sounds wonderfully promising!

My only question is: how accessible is it from the financial standpoint for ordinary people?

Thank you again. Hope you keep well.

guggi
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PNE after vaginal hysterectomy in May 2005. After 3 successful nerve blocks and PNE decompression surgery with Dr. Hibner, Phoenix, September 24, 2007, approx. 50% improved. Eternally grateful to TIPNA and Dr. Hibner.

[guggi]

Here is the information for the Massey Cencer Center, if anyonw should be interested in finding out more about their pain control measures:

Email: AskMassey@vcu.edu

Phone: 804-828-0450

Fax: 804-828-8453

401 College Street P.O. Box 980037
Richmond, Virginai, 23290-0037

http://massey.vce.edu/appointment/?pid=2034
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PNE after vaginal hysterectomy in May 2005. After 3 successful nerve blocks and PNE decompression surgery with Dr. Hibner, Phoenix, September 24, 2007, approx. 50% improved. Eternally grateful to TIPNA and Dr. Hibner.

[peg]

This new calmare therapy is FDA approved. The clinic is working on the codes for insurance. They should be done next month. They are also working with medicare too. I am planning on going for a treatment hopefully next month. The nurse that i spoke with suffers with chronic pain. She told me that she was very skeptical about the therapy at first. She was very surprised at how well it worked at relieving her pain. It sure would be nice to be off of these drugs. Take care.....................................................................................peg
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peg

[rechbill]

A trial Calmare Unit is at Commonwealth pain Management at St Mary's Hospital in Richmond, Va. Dr. Long is heading the trials.
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Bill

[rechbill]

I have just been scheduled on July 26th through August 6th for 1 hr sessions with Commonwealth Pain Specialists. I wll let you know how it turns out.
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Bill

[peg]

BIll,

Did the clinic say anything about insurance coverage for this therapy? How much are they charging for this therapy? I've contacted a clinic in Naples Florida. They are charging $150 per session. They told me that the insurance codes are not completed & filed as of today. The clinic also said that they needed more clients to climb on board for this therapy. I told them that patients would climb on board if insurance would cover this therapy!! I hope that it works well for you. I am going to try out the rebuilder device before this therapy. Take care.......................................................................peg
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peg

[rechbill]

Peg, They are charging $150. My insurance will cover 60% for out of network since it is FDA approved. Same situation with the codes.
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Bill

[peg]

Bill,

Are they helping you to process your claim with your insurance company? I worry about getting reimbursed from the insurance companies. For they donot even know that this therapy exists! How can you claim this therapy without the codes? I will call my insurance company to see what are my options. Take care & let me know about your results with the therapy..........................peg
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peg

[rechbill]

Peg, I have had 4 treatments with some success. It will take some time to confirm what my insurance is going to do.

I will report back in 2 weeks.
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Bill

[peg]

Bill,

What clinic did you attend? Who was the physician? Did you do the full 10 sessions? How much did your pain decrease? Please keep me updated. Take care.........................................................................................peg
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peg

[GregT]

Thanks, Celeste. I just read it. I'm having very much increased PN pain and on top of that debilitating lower back pain. I can barely get around. I'm really not used to this. I may have to see an ortho doc about the lower back pain. It really doesn't feel like it's PN related.

Everyone, please keep us posted about the Calmare treatments.

Greg
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Had PN surgery in France in Dec, 2001. Sitting is a bit better, but I still have muscular pain in much of the pelvic area. Never had pain on one side or the other, just in the middle.

[JoeC]

Greg, you should see an ortho doc. Try to get an MRI to see what's going on. Are you taking anything for the pain? Maybe a good muscle relaxant with an extra pain killer might tie you over till you have your appointment.

Hang in there.
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PN sufferer, hoping to find solutions

[GregT]

I'm already on a muscle relaxant. I picked up a big tv (it was no longer working) about 2-3 weeks ago and since then I've twice had my lower back flare up. This flare is lasting. I'm trying to just take it easy until Monday. Then I'll see if it's still bad and if so will get an appt.

Greg
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Had PN surgery in France in Dec, 2001. Sitting is a bit better, but I still have muscular pain in much of the pelvic area. Never had pain on one side or the other, just in the middle.

[JoeC]

Oh, yeah, that can do it. Hopefully you didn't hurt yourself seriously. Use ice or heat, which ever feels bette,r and rest till you can see someone.
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PN sufferer, hoping to find solutions