Maggie B.'s Story

I am pleased to sing the praises of National Spine and Pain Centers and in particular Dr. Suneetha Budampati and her team.

Since 2004, I have lived with severe chronic pain which resulted in 3 total knee replacements, hypnosis, peripheral knee surgery, and many other methods, procedures, and including ever-increasing larger amounts of opioids administered through the Pain Center. Over a total of 14 years, I have sought assistance from several doctors at the Pain Center.

Not until I switched my care to Dr. Budampati in late 2018 did she persuade me to undergo a Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) trial, which successfully reduced my intake of pain meds and showed me that I could live life with reduced pain. Following the successful DRG trial, I underwent the Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) procedure, which included implantation of the device by a local surgeon.

Dr. Budampati is a superb doctor. She knows her profession, science and medicine, and her bedside manner is sensitive and considerate. She single-handed changed my mind! She convinced me to trust her.

On several occasions, Center Manager Shadi Jahanshad has helped me with appointments and other administrative functions at National Spine and Pain Centers. She is always courteous and attentive. The staff, both at the front desk and in the back with the patients are always caring, efficient, and concerned.

Now, after the operation, my pain level is much reduced; I am learning to work the programmed iPod which controls impulses from the brain to the affected legs. And, with the help of Dr. Budampati and the team, we are weaning me off Methadone.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to voice my feelings. I am indeed indebted to Dr. Budampati and the National Spine and Pain Centers for giving me hope of a future where the pain is much reduced.

From Dr. Budampati:

Ms. Maggie’s saga of pain started in 2005, after a successful left knee replacement. Her new prosthetic joint was in perfect placement, however, she developed debilitating nerve-mediated pain, often referred to as RSD or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). By the time she came to me, years of frustration and failed attempts at controlling her pain took a toll on her, as did the dependency on daily opiates which dictated her function. Understandably, she was skeptical and afraid.

Fortunately, Maggie was the perfect candidate for Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation, a precise and selective form of neuromodulation that targets isolated nerves to reduce focal neuropathic pain syndromes and CRPS/RSD.

I could sense her conflict of pursuing treatment: the hope and possibility of living with reduced pain; or the chance of failure, yet again. Kudos to her for finally trying this modality and I am so happy this made the difference for her. At her first post-operative visit, she was a brand new person, full of optimism and joy. My team and I could not have had a better holiday gift than the smile on her face!