Patient - Robert Hinton’s struggle with RSD

Update: April 25, 2010: Robert underwent the inpatient Ketamine Infusion process and will have his first set of boosters in the coming weeks. The Ketamine treatment helped his pain, At the time of this update, we are waiting to see how much progress it has provided him.

Mr. Hinton is 36, of Cumberland, RI married his High School sweetheart, Lee, almost 13 years ago. The couple was leading a happy life. They also love being parents to their two young daughters. Robert was involved in a car accident in February 2005. The family’s life changed forever. This car accident caused Robert to develop Full Body RSD. RSD is a chronic neurological condition which causes severe burning pain as well as other symptoms listed on the symptoms page of this site. This pain is 24/7 and does not stop. Prior to Robert’s accident he had a career selling durable medical equipment and was also a Firefighter and EMT in North Smithfield, RI.

Robert has undergone all standard treatments for RSD including physical therapy, over 100 nerve blocks, epidural injections, medications and nerve stimulation and nothing has helped slow the disease progression. Robert has been seeing Dr. Schwartzman, an RSD specialist from Philadelphia, PA,  for his care. Robert is working hard to raise the $30,000 for his needed Ketamine infusion and travel expenses. Robert’s family held a Spaghetti and Meatball Dinner / Raffle, on September 27, 09 at their Parish, Saint James Church, Manville, RI. The family was able to raise almost $3,000 for Robert’s Ketamine treatment. The Power of Pain Foundation has also awarded Robert a small grant to help with travel costs for this procedure. The Hinton family has created a website were additional donations can be made, you can learn about RSD, view news footage and follow Robert’s progress in greater detail. The website is http://www.robertsfightwithrsd.webs.com. Please also check back here to see progress notes on Robert’s fight.

Patient - Kristin Birchfield’s struggle with RSD

Kristin Birchfield is in her early 40’s.  She is the wife of our church’s Music Worship Pastor, Wade Birchfield, and is the mother of a beautiful little girl named Kiaura (now 7).  A little less than 8 years ago, when Kristin was in labor with Kiaura, she underwent an epidural injection which was improperly administered. In fact, the anesthesiologist inserted the needle at least six times before he found the effective location for the injection.  That event triggered the RSD.

Kristin has never been able to enjoy her role as a mother because of the constant pain she has been in.  For years, the family tried to hide the severity of the condition, ashamed, in a way, to let people know what they were going through, and terrified that their young daughter might find out what happened and somehow blame herself for her mother’s condition. But now, the condition has gotten so severe that they have finally turned to their friends for help. Kristin is desperate. Before the RSD, Kristin was a model, a singer and an artist. The RSD has taken all that away.  It has traveled throughout her body.  She is covered with lesions and bruises, she has lost all her teeth, her vision is poor, and her vocal cords have deteriorated.  She no longer has the strength or coordination to even hold a paint brush, let alone paint the beautiful pictures which she used to.  The pain is constant and unrelenting in her legs, arms, neck, feet, back and head.  At times, the agony has gotten so bad that she has begged her husband to help her die.

Kristin has tried just about every form of treatment over the years, but only one treatment has provided any real relief.  Several years ago, under the direction of Dr. Schwartzman, she underwent the Ketamine Coma treatment in Germany.  When the ordeal was over, the treatment had worked and she was 90% pain free.  Unfortunately, the relief was only temporary, and about four months later the pain returned, as bad as it had been before. She has been undergoing the Ketamine boosters and the Ketamine inpatient treatments available here in the US through Compassionate Care but the treatments have not been very effective.  Dr. Schwartzman has told her that her only hope for more permanent relief is to undergo another Ketamine Coma treatment.  As you know, the treatment is now only available in Monterey Mexico.  Kristin is willing to undergo the ordeal again, but the problem is the cost.

The Birchfield’s used up their life savings amidst struggle and sacrifice to raise the money for their trip to Mexico, and they were barely able to scrape together the funds then.  Now, Wade Birchfield is on medical leave due to back surgery - he suffers from a degenerative condition in his back, and this is his 4th surgery.  The doctors question how much longer he can keep working.  He also suffers from bipolar disorder and the cost of that medication also causes a hardship for them.  In the meantime, the family that Kristin had in the past depended upon for support and assistance is gone. 

Kristin is such a warm and wonderful person and my heart breaks to see what they are going through, and I feel so helpless. Please, can you help us?  Can you offer some guidance?  Some support? Some advice as to how we can help Kristin raise the funds she needs for the second Ketamine Coma procedure? Any advice or suggestions you can give would be so much appreciated. Thank you so much for your time.

If you feel you can offer Kristen any help please e-mail us at info@powerofpain.com

Patient - Christine Leiendecker’s struggle with RSD

Name: Christine Leiendecker, Pain Patient

City: San Diego, CA, Sent:: 04/04/2009

Power of Pain Foundation,

I was lucky enough to have someone mention that I should do research on this condition after my injury, December 2, 2006. The X-rays and MRI showed no damage and all doctors stated that my case "perplexed them". Since doing the research, I have seen a pain management doctor and now have a Sympathetic Nerve Block scheduled for May 23rd. Do to finding my saving grace and doing my research my doctor is optimistic that I caught it early enough to keep it from going permanent. I also have a wonderful support group that I would be lost without. Enjoy the show, comedy is the best medicine.

Patient - Mrs. Brummitt’s struggle with Polyneuropathy

Name: Mrs. Brummitt

Sent:: 05/05/2009

I was diagnose with Polyneuropathy and a pinch nerve in my back. I have been in lots of pain for 2 yrs. I have tried physical therapy that did not help and now I go back to my back doctor. I guess he will tell me what is next. WISH ME LUCK PLEASE,

Thank You Very Much,
Mrs. Brummitt

Patient - Pat Eaton’s comments on our website

Name: Pat Eaton

City: Tacoma, WA, Sent: 04/24/2009

Thank you for this info!  My husband went through a trauma surgery, was intibated for two and half months was in a coma for  2 months, in rehab for P.T. for 4 weeks, cannot walk, cannot use fingers, has burning pain...  no one could tell me exactly what the problem is. Your site has given me some valuable tools!

Thank you.

Patient - Lil’s struggle with RSD

Name: Lil

City: Buckingham, VA (Arvonia), Sent:: 04/01/2009

Dear Barby (Power of Pain Foundation),

I received the Pamphlets you sent me out, I Thank You so much, I like your pamphlets a lot more than ones I've had and seen, you break down an Important Fact, Not Everyone gets the as I'll put it "By the Book changes", I've met many RSD’ers in my 16 yrs. of having & dealing with it and we all get hit in different ways, some people sweat, some always cold, I like how there put together , gives a not so Brain Surgeon Break down. I had my hubby at work seeing how far you are from us, are you in Colonial Heights VA? I would love to get together and meet and talk with you on possibly jumping on board and helping your Organization in any way I can. You should be very Proud of yourself, the website is Great, I plan on ordering your book and I feel like your the person I've been looking for. Your a Blessing to us All whom Suffer!!!!!!!

Gentle Hugs!!!!

Patient - Wendy’s Thank you to the POPF

Name: Wendy, Pain Patient

Sent:: 04/04/2009

Power of Pain Foundation,

Thanks so very much for all that you are doing to help all of us with RSD!

Peace

Caretaker - Cathy Bergman’s comments on a POPF awareness event

Name: Cathy Bergman, St. Andrew's The Apostle

City: Chandler, AZ, Sent:: 04/04/2009

(Power of Pain Foundation) Ken & Barby,

Thank you for your energy and brightness, for your kindness and compassion, for the light you shine on the world. Thank you for your time on Saturday, May 17th, 08. I enjoyed your seminar, thanks for some of the insights provided to me. May the Hope you gave to those here continues to be encountered by you and all those you meet.

Many Blessings

Volunteer- Joey Meyer’s, a volunteers experience

Name: Joey Meyer

Sent: Sept 15, 2009

Hi Barby,

Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to help out! Every one of us from Chi Psi that were there really enjoyed it, not just the show, but learning about your organization and actually helping out. We really had a good time, and think The Power of Pain Foundation has a great cause. We wish the best of luck to you and your organization! And we would love to help out with any other events you may have nearby in the future. So if you ever need a hand in the future, just e-mail or call me and I am sure I can gather up a bunch more Chi Psi's to help out!

Volunteer- Corey Edwards, a volunteers experience

Name: Corey Edwards

Sent: Sept 15, 2009

Thank you very much for the opportunity. It was a great experience (being a volunteer). Me and Chris had a great time on stage! Brian's friend Sheldon was looking at me and Chris the whole show like he wanted to kill us cause he thought we were still talking about his clothes. ha-ha. I have been to several hypnotist shows but I have never been as convinced as I was this past show. I look forward to the next show.

Best of luck to you and continue to stay strong! Take Care