Hot Flashes
My hot flashes were uncontrollable in the summer heat. I am currently taking Effexor every other day and would love to discontinue the use as it has caused a weight gain of 10 pounds. I have hot flashes all year around so that I perspire at an embarrassing rate. I have a moderate hot flash once an hour in cooler temperatures. This summer with the hot temperatures my hot flashes are severe once an hour or more and the perspiration is extremely uncomfortable.
I saw Dr. Joshi at the end of June 2007. I had my first injection in my neck without anesthesia. I really was only uncomfortable with some burning. I did have a sore throat for a day and a slight eye swelling. I went home and put the injection to the test. I cut my 1/2 acre yard in 90 degree heat and ran in the house to call Dr. Joshi as I not only did not perspire but felt great. Not one hot flash. I cannot tell you how excited I was. This continued for a period of 2 weeks. And the hot flashes started back just slightly at first. I am not back to the severity that I had before but am looking forward to an additional block. W
hat a miracle this would be. I felt so good the first week after the block. I forgot how good that was not to worry about the hot flashes.
Jill McFall
How My Back Pain Disappeared
Through the years my lower back area has given me problems, the most recent taking place on June 1, 2006 when I reached down to retrieve an item from a very low cabinet. For the next 9 ½ months I endured an "8/10" pain level in that area of my spine, with the stabbing pain sometimes going down my left leg. My remedies included cold/heat treatments, visiting a chiropractor and undergoing various treatments, exercises and massages. No lasting relief from any of these.
Finally I began to visit Dr. Lipov, who began a series of spinal injections, but these also proved futile. Still an 8/10 on the pain level meter! After exhausting all possible injections, Dr. Lipov suggested implanting lead wires and a stimulator in my spine. On March 16, 2007 he did so, and a week later (3-23-07) he implanted the stimulator. What a miraculous change this new mechanism has created. I've gone from an "8/10" to a "0/10" on the pain scale.
My family and friends have remarked that I'm like a new person. That look of pain has left my face, and I radiate a sunnier outlook. Never thought I'd wake up "pain-free" in my lifetime again!
Mary Ann Nimietz
Dorsal Column Stimulator Implant
Dr. Lipov,
It gives me great pleasure to report that the dorsal column stimulator implant on my 90 year old mother, Annemarie, has exceeded all of our expectations and hope. She is now virtually pain free and can actually move around the house without having to lie down every 5 minutes.
We were at a stage of giving up when we came to you. It seemed that no amount or type of drug or direct injection would give any type of relief. Your suggestion of the implant was met with some skepticism; however the outcome speaks for itself. My mother and I can’t thank you enough for following this through to a happy conclusion.
Sincerely
Bernd R. Krebs
Chicago, IL.
Foot and Leg Pain
Dr. Lipov,
I just wanted to take a few minutes to write and say THANK YOU! Thank you for giving me my life back. The pain that I had in my foot and leg had literally taken over my life; It was always first and foremost on my mind. It was the last thing I thought of when I would finally fall asleep and the first thing that I felt when I woke up. I often found myself not doing the things that I once loved due to the pain. I could not sit for more than 30 minutes without increasing the pain, and I always sat with my shoe off to be able to concentrate. This meant that I could only drive short distances as it always increased the pain. I was unable to concentrate on my work; I could not focus on things for more than a few minutes at a time. As you know we had tried many different things to relieve the pain including several nerve blocks which would work for a short time but the pain always returned. It is now going on a month since the implant and I cannot believe the world of difference that it has made. I am now able to sleep; I can concentrate, I have more focus and energy. I have even found myself returning to my hobbies of woodworking and wood turning.
I also wanted to thank your entire staff. They always showed an understanding and dedication to making you feel better. They made getting appointments and insurance approvals taken care of an easy task and always in a very timely manner. Every person that I spoke with always asked “how are you feeling?” and showed that they understood that I was in pain. After every procedure whether it was a nerve block or when I had my implant done they were always glad to know that I was feeling better.
I must admit that when we first started to talk about getting the implant I was quite apprehensive. You provided me with a great deal of information and I did a lot of research on the internet and I was still not certain. After talking with you and getting my plethora of questions answered and knowing there were very few options that we had left we went ahead with the implant. I can tell you this now I am a believer! I did not believe that it would have worked as well as it is, it is truly amazing and I would recommend this procedure to anyone. The recovery time has been minimal with maximum benefit! Feel free to share this with anyone that may not be sure about going forward with this procedure or send them my way! Thank you again!
Yours truly,
Jeff Burklow
Returning to Normal
Hooray, Hooray, Dr. Lipov for President!!!
Good News to report......
Laura is returning to a near normal life. Laura spent all day outside in the nice weather yesterday gardening and is moving around the house daily with her activities rather than lying on the couch in pain. Laura reports that last Thursday when the weather was cool and wet she reported a more active "session" of pain with burning sensations in her right shoulder and right bicep area....she would receive the pain and then it would stop with frequent reoccurrences on that day. On a "normal" day it is less frequent and sporadic with the pain "shutting off" right away. I am starting to get my wife back again!!!
David & Laura Short
RSD-CRPS
My name is Michelle, I'm 36 years old, and I have been under Dr Lipov's care for over 4 years now. He has been treating me for a severe right arm pain disease called Chronic Regional Pain Syndrom ( CRPS a.k.a : RSD). I was blessed that he managed my pain so well, and so quickly, and was able to give me my life back. Prior to me seeing him, I was on long term disability from my true love of working as an Emergency Room Nurse. I had recently been forced to sell my home due to financial constraints due to medical bills, and I was living with family.
The last university pain center I was being seen at was more interested in treating me as a clinical trial, and not as an individual. Within a few month's Dr Lipov had successfully attempted several procedures that eventually lead to my final treatment plan of a Medtronic Intrathecal Baclofen Pump. This continually administers small amounts of a non-narcotic medication into my spine that controls my pain and allows me to function.
The pump was installed in July of 2003, after several months of occupational rehabilitation. I was able to rejoin the workforce and am currently working full-time as a Nurse Manager for a busy Outpatient Radiology Center. I was then able to move back out on my own and am still rebuilding my financial situation to be able to purchase a home again. I do very infrequently have exacerbations of my pain. One such incident occurred in February 2006 following a surgery to my chest area and in an attempt to control the pain Dr Lipov preformed a Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB).
I was in the process of quitting smoking at the time, and had undergone 3 laser treatments 3 weeks prior, also with the goal of smoking cessation. Even though it had been 2 weeks since I had smoked, I was still battling cravings when I had the SGB. Immediately following the procedure my cravings were not noticeable. At the time, I did not attribute the procedure to my lack of cravings. I simply thought my decrease in pain lead to my decrease in cravings. I remained a non-smoker until late August 2006. It's a poor excuse, but I had other health problems unrelated to my pain. The stress of these other problems brought me back to smoking. In September 2006, I returned to the Laser Center and again struggled to stop my cravings. The treatment failed and I continued smoking.
I then had another exacerbation of pain in January 2007 and Dr Lipov again preformed a SGB. For the second time, following that procedure, my craving's dropped approximately 70%, and eventually I was able to stop smoking all together. I do not understand exactly how a simple and nearly painless procedure like a stellate ganglion block can stop me from smoking, but I'm not going to question it either. I needed to quit smoking for my health, my self esteem and for professional reasons. Now that I know this works, if I feel the cravings returning, I will just get in touch with Dr. Lipov and schedule another SGB to stop the cravings before I succumb to the nicotine addiction again. I was so blessed to find Dr. Lipov over four years ago, and the fact that he was able to give me my life back then, and now, is giving a whole new area of my life back. This is just another reason why I have such high respect for him.
Thanks again Dr Lipov,
Michelle DeHass, RN, BSN.
RACZ PROCEDURE
Dr. Lipov,
On January 19th, 2007, I had a procedure done at Alexian Brothers hospital done by you. I wanted you to know that this procedure was a huge success for me. I believe the name of this procedure was called the "Rex" procedure. In any event, this was a huge success for me. Within three days of this procedure I began to feel alot better. My pain medications are giving me almost eighty percent relief now and I all around feel better. Just wanted to let you know. Thank-you so much for your help through the years.
Beverly Leck
RACZ CATHETER
Dr. Lipov,
I wanted to thank you for relieving my back pain with the RACZ treatment. I am glad Dr. Jon Paul recommended you as I am finally without pain since my back surgery in 1999. I am looking forward to your helping me in the future as I am now able to function without pain. Thank you for giving me a pain-free life again.
Kenneth O. Jahnke
FACET JOINT INJECTION
Dear Dr. Lipov,
When I was in for my follow-up visit you asked me to write you a few lines regarding the relief I felt from the facet shot.
- I can sit upright like in a movie theater through a whole film and not have to support my neck
- I can bend over and tie my shoes or get something out of a cabinet without searing pain
- Those little “electrical shock” feelings in my neck are gone
- I have very minimal pain in my shoulder and neck
- I can put my purse over my right shoulder again
- I don’t have to take prescription pain killers or lie down to rest my neck during the day
- I can actually turn my neck to look over my shoulder when I’m driving
- I just feel better all over!
Thanks for such a good result. I’d get another shot in a minute if it was necessary.
Sincerely,
Andrea Galvin
Herniated Disc
Dear Dr. Lipov,
I came to see you after visiting other doctors about my herniated disc. It herniated in the T7 and T8 area. A neurosurgeon and an orthopedic surgeon both suggested that surgery was not a good option and would not guarantee positive results. I was not able to walk without a visible limp and without grimace. It was difficult to breathe, sit, stand; actually it hurt to do ‘normal’ things. The surgeons suggested pain management and your office.
You gave me a ‘Lumbar Pulsed Radiofrequency Neurotomy’. I was walking without a limp and without pain almost immediately. I just plainly felt better instantly. I am a truck driver and was worried about my family. After a year of pain and not working, I am glad to say that I am back to work and doing what I am supposed to do, various lifting and climbing in and out of the tractor-trailer.
I am so grateful to you and your staff for helping me overcome my pain.
Thank you so much Advanced Pain Centers and to you Dr. Lipov,
Sincerely,
Douglas Reynolds - December 2006
Vertebral Fracture Pain - Shawn Furrie
To whom it may concern:
I, Shawn Furrie, fractured my L1 vertabrae after a bad fall. I sought treatment for this, after 2 referrals, from Dr.Lipov. The first treatment we did was a seriesof injection blocks on nerves in the fasset joints. Then followed by a nerve destruction. There were some results incorporated with all of these procedures, unfortunately all very short lived. Then Dr.Lipov suggested we try the same procedures on the Gray Ramus nerve. Again, we did a couple of injection blocks to pinpoint the nerve, then we did another "deadening" process on the nerve. This time the results were much better. The process has allowed me the opportunity to try to regain some of the strength and mobility i lost due to the injury without the terrible pain i was experiencing.
Metronics Pump for Shingles / Diabetic Pain
I started developing a severe pain in my rib cage in early 1996. Very soon it was excruciating. It really doesn't matter what caused it but it's probably diabetic neurapathy. Although I managed to continue to work I was reduced from an active, vital, fun loving man to a critical, pain wracked loser without a good thing to say to or about anyone or anything.
My life was a continuous search for relief from an unending pain. Pain that ruled my entire life. I took every concoction of medication from pain killers to those medications commonly prescribed for depression. I had so many trigger-point injections I lost count. All of them lasting less than the time it took me to drive home from the doctors office.
I don't remember how many times I stopped in the emergency room at Alexian Brothers because I couldn't sit still behind the wheel of my car. I slept only two or three hours a night. My last pain doctor told me he had done all he could for me.
My wife, who stood by me through the entire time, found Dr. Lipov. After looking at my four inch thick file for five minutes he said we should install a pain pump. He sent me home with all the information and told me to discuss it with my wife.
He installed the pump in July, 1999. From the instant I awoke after the surgery I have been pain free. Oh, joyous relief to be able to lie there very still and be out of pain. To contemplate having a meal, even if it was only a sandwich in the hospital. To be able to move. To be able to sit in a chair for more than three minutes. To be able to thank my wife for standing by me and tell her I felt alive again.
The ride home from the hospital was a pleasure, not to wince in pain every time we went over a bump. It was a gorgeous July night and it was finally a treat to be enjoying it. I urge anyone to have Dr. Lipov perform this procedure. I was surprised how easy it was.
Easy for me probably not so easy for Dr. Lipov. The only thing required is to have the pump refilled at the proper interval. This is a fast, painless procedure at the doctor's office. Very simple for a life free from the excruciating pain you are probably experiencing.
As I've told Dr. Lipov so many times he gave me my life back. Not just for me but for my wife, my kids, and my grandchildren. I don't know where I would be had I chosen not to have the pump installed. I can't urge you enough to have it done. It is great to be alive again.
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