Sharon McGee refused to let neuropathic pain control her life.
The numbness and pain in her arms began in July of 2014, taking 45-yearold Sharon McGee by surprise.
A busy wife, mother, and professional, she did not have a history of health complications that could have compromised her nervous system. Healthcare providers had a difficult time pinpointing the cause of the unusual sensations that were becoming ever-present for Ms. McGee.
Physicians she consulted explored conditions that may be associated with neuropathy, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—Lou Gehrig’s disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Lyme disease, and multiple sclerosis (MS), and performed a wide spectrum of screenings. But blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and a spinal tap did not indicate any clear-cut answers.
“I was in constant pain, and nobody could determine what was causing my pain,” Ms. McGee says. “That was the scariest part of this experience. It has been a journey of the unknown from the very beginning.”
Ms. McGee received an array of treatments to address the unknown source of her numbness and pain, including chemotherapy, intravenous immunoglobulin infusion therapy, and steroids. But every option proved frustratingly ineffective.
“I felt like I was losing so much time and quality of life,” Ms. McGee says. “I didn’t want to go anywhere or do anything, but I was not willing to give up.”
FINDING ANSWERS
In the midst of the quest for solutions, Ms. McGee read an article in The Rose about the success of MicroVas® treatment being conducted at RWJ Rahway under the supervision of Paul Abend, DO, FAAPMR, Medical Director of Rehabilitation Services at RWJ Rahway. And she did not hesitate to consult with Dr. Abend to find out if the treatment might work for her.
“Historically, we have not had much success treating patients with idiopathic neuropathy, or numbness and pain with no known cause, but Sharon was willing to try something new, and she responded almost immediately,” Dr. Abend says. “It is a remarkable case that brings a lot of hope for this niche that is so difficult to treat.”
After just a few sessions of MicroVas, which uses electrical currents to stimulate circulation, Ms. McGee noticed a marked difference in her comfort, range of motion, and strength. Today, she walks up and down her stairs with ease and performs the tasks of daily living without pain.
“My pain subsided from a 10 to a seven to practically zero,” Ms. McGee says. “This is the most amazing thing I could have ever done. I feel like I have been given a second chance to live life to the fullest, and I couldn’t be happier.”