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Alpha-Stim® Patient Testimonials
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“In summary, I am thrilled! For the first time in six
years, I can allow the wind to blow on my face and can apply my makeup
without pain.”
- Cindi Robertson
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I have been using an Alpha-Stim for
the treatment of facial pain for the past two months under the direction of
Dr. Bruce Epker of Weatherford, Texas. I have experienced good success
with this product, and thought I should share my story.
The trigeminal nerve (inferior avelor) in my right jaw severed during a
routine wisdom tooth extraction on July 29, 1994. The area became severely
infected and incredibly painful. I rarely slept through the night and was
unable to eat solid food. In March, 1995, during an exploratory surgery, the
surgeon discovered a fairly well developed neuroma, and determined it to be
the cause of the pain. In August of 1995, Dr. Bruce Epker opened the area
revealing a “rather large” neuroma on the right trigeminal nerve. He then
performed a nerve graft using a 1” long section of the sural nerve in my
left leg as the donor tissue. Following this surgery, the pain diminished
but did not stop. An exploratory surgery in March of 1999 revealed that the
nerve was “pink and healthy” and had regenerated quite nicely. There was no
longer a physiological cause for the pain, but the pain, although diminished
in intensity, remained.
Over the years, Dr. Epker and I have experimented with many pain relief
techniques: various medicines, topical analgesics, and shots of pain
relievers directly into the nerve. Although each of these techniques
provided some temporary relief, none was able to completely stop the pain.
Before starting treatments with the Alpha-Stim in July, I was taking 75mg of
Effexor per day for pain and using a topical analgesic as needed. When the
skin of my right chin was touched, I had a “pins and needles” (dysaesthesia)
sensation, perhaps a “4” on the pain scale on page 8 of your manual. Yet, I
had adjusted quite well to these limitations. I felt comfortable as long as
I did not go outside in the wind or allow anything to touch my chin. My
teeth were also very sensitive to pressure. I could not allow food to touch
my teeth on the right side, but again, I had learned to eat quite well
despite these limitations. The pain in my teeth was about a “4”, also.
Perhaps once or twice weekly, I experienced a sharp shooting pain along my
jaw. Using the chart on page 8 of your manual, I would describe the shooting
pain as a “5”, sometimes distressing and always discomforting, but it rarely
interrupted my life for more than a few moments. Although my quality of life
was reduced, I was comfortable and happy and very hopeful.
For the first two weeks, I used the Alpha-Stim at a frequency of 0.5 and an
intensity of “2”, attaching one clip to each ear. Each treatment lasted
perhaps 2 hours each day. This did little for the pain. At Dr. Epker’s
suggestion, I tried several treatments at a slightly higher intensity for 12
- 16 hours at a time. Although the pain was minimal during the treatments,
it returned soon after each session. We tried attaching a sticky pad
electrode to each cheek, but this had even less effect. For the past five
weeks or so, I have been using the sticky pad electrodes, locating one
behind my right ear and one on the right side of my chin, right where the
nerve enters the soft tissue. This really worked! After two long treatments,
the dysaesthesia in my chin has diminished significantly, to about a “1” at
the worst. Unfortunately, although the pain in my teeth is reduced, the
Alpha-Stim did not have such a marked effect on that area. The pain ranges
from a “1” immediately after the treatment, rising to a “4” as the day
progresses. Currently, I am using the unit on a “1.5” frequency and an
intensity of “2½” or “3”. I sleep with the unit on, providing an
uninterrupted treatment of five to seven hours. The only side-effect is
dizziness, which can be quite frightening, but this subsides when I
discontinue treatment for a few days or turn down the frequency on the unit.
In summary, I am thrilled! For the first time in six years, I can allow the
wind to blow on my face and can apply my makeup without pain. I cannot
remember the last time I experienced a sharp pain greater than a “2”.
Moreover, I have discontinued all medication, including the topical
analgesic, yet am sleeping and eating with more comfort than before the
treatments. The real result is a much higher quality of life. I am certain
that the pain will continue to diminish over time, leaving me entirely pain
free one day. Please feel free to use my name or share any of the above
information with other patients if you feel they would benefit from this
story. I am a walking advertisement for Alpha-Stim and living proof that it
works. I am very grateful for your efforts at developing such a great
product.
This material is reproduced with the permission of
Electromedical Products International, Inc. © 2006
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