Jenn,

I'm sorry you're so upset.  Would it help if I told you my neurologist told
me a placebo test is standard, at least in his practice?  We have talked of
a baclofen pump, and the procedure will be threefold:

1) Injection of baclofen into the spinal cord to see if it will work
2) Placebo testing
and if I pass the first two phases, then the pump itself will be installed.

I think patience is the key.  I'm sorry you're having so much pain, and I
sympathise.  You are in my prayers.

Kat
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jennifer Zubko" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2002 2:30 PM
Subject: I AM SO UPSET- PLACEBo controlled trial


> Hi Everyone,
>
> I am so upset and srill crying as I write this. I just got a call from
> the
> neurologist's nurse saying that I have to go back in the hospital for a
> placebo controlled trial of intrathecal baclofen, and stay there from
> Tuesday the 19th until Thursday. If I  don't go through the trial, they
> will probably not let me get the intrathecal baclofen pump placed at
> all,
> in spite of the fact that they all know how much it improved my life on
> January 25th. I am so angry, even though they say they are doing it bec
> ause there is a placebo effect when it comes to pain... I know that,
> and I
> AM NOT STUPID. What hurts even more is that the neurologist promised me
> in
> December they would NOT do a placebo controlled trial for me... CAN
> ANYTHING ELSE GO WRONG? I have prayed and prayed, and it does not seem
> to
> be working.
>
> Does anyone have any words of encouragement for me? I just can't pray
> for
> myself anymore, and am in so much pain... of course there was no
> mention
> of any new oral medications either.
>
> PALEASE SAY DOME PRAYERS FOR ME. I KUST CAN'T PRAY anymore.
>
> Jenn