Migraine Neurostimulator for Denise

Quick version: I have had really, really bad migraines for basically my entire life. My medication options are limited and becoming less effective, but there's a medical implant that I have had a trial of that worked GREAT. Now I'm trying to raise funds to get a permanent one. :-)


Full Story:
As many of you who know me are aware, I was diagnosed with migraines when I was 6 years old. Although I have a migraine of some level at nearly all times, medications have generally kept them under control.

For the last year, however, my medications have been less and less effective, and so the migraines have gotten both more painful (somehow) and more frequent. I've been having to take medications that are very hard on my liver and kidneys far too often, and I'm allergic to the family of medications that is most effective at preventing migraines, so I'm quickly running out of options for medications. If I try to go without the medication, the pain can get bad enough to put me into a seizure.  I've also tried multiple alternatives such as nerve blocks, essential oils, Botox, chiropractic care, a TENS unit, etc., without much effect. I hope this doesn't sound like I'm complaining, it's just been....rough.

Given that things have been getting bad and I have limited medication options, I started looking into alternatives and found the Omega Procedure, by the Migraine Treatment Centers of America (MTCA). You can read more at the MTCA's website , but the Omega Procedure consists of an implanted neurostimulator that sends electrical impulses to the nerves that transmit migraine pain. The impulses scramble the pain signal, and the result is that the migraine is technically still there, but it doesn't hurt!

This is a surgical procedure, so MTCA generally only makes it available to those who have exhausted all the other options available to them.....this definitely includes me. MTCA also does a trial procedure with a temporary neurostimulator to confirm that the permanent one will work as expected. I had the trial procedure in September; it reduced my migraine pain by 95%, and for the first time in my life there were times that I had NO migraine pain!

The costs for this aren't radically extravagant for a medical procedure, but it would be difficult for us to cover on our own with all my other more unpredictable medical expenses. It also involves a 2-week trip to Houston with the associated travel costs, and Jason will also be taking some FMLA leave without pay. Currently I'm scheduled to have the permanent device implanted on October 19th.

Our church gladly paid for the trial procedure and associated travel costs, but to avoid over-burdening them we'd like to ask you, our friends and family, for assistance with the permanent procedure and associated travel costs.  Please don't feel obligated to donate, ESPECIALLY those of you who have already helped us, but anything would be greatly appreciated if you have the resources.

Thank you so much for caring enough to read my story. I would also certainly appreciate your prayers; the fact that the trial worked so well was an answer from the Lord to much prayer from myself, Jason, and many, many others.