Cailtin K*

	Age:	20-29
	Sex:	Female
	Location:	Florida
	Area(s) of Pain:	Low back, legs, and hips
	Pain Started:	2005

Email Caitlin: CaitlinK@sjmneuro.com

Cailtin's Story

“I’m going back to vet school,” says 24-year-old Caitlin, a first-year veterinary student at Virginia Tech. After nearly three years of severe, chronic pain in her leg and lower back, Caitlin says that thanks to neurostimulation…

Since she was young, Caitlin dreamed of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. At 16 she worked at a dairy where she fell in love with caring for cows and other large animals. But in late 2005, Caitlin’s life changed. She was stretching after a run, when she heard something in her back pop.

“It was like rivers of fire,” Caitlin recalls of the pain that soon developed.

To treat her pain, Caitlin visited ten different physicians, tried numerous drug therapies, and underwent multiple surgeries. Having tried a “million different” muscle relaxers and other medications, she says, “None of that worked.” Even after her first surgery, Caitlin had little relief. “I still had incredible pain,” she remembers.

The pain had become so severe, in fact, that it forced Caitlin to postpone vet school for over two years. She had become withdrawn and felt helpless. “I didn’t see my friends because I was so uncomfortable. I had tried one semester of school, but I couldn’t concentrate, sit down, or sleep. I had no other options. I had to drop out for medical reasons.”

Her pain specialist then recommended neurostimulation, and she underwent the procedure in January 2008. According to Caitlin, neurostimulation has extinguished 50 percent of the pain in her leg and 75 percent in her back. Neurostimulation has also allowed her to eliminate her pain medications completely.

Caitlin plans to rejoin her classmates at Virginia Tech this fall to continue pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian. Her SCS system has allowed her to reconnect with her friends and has helped her to again look to the future. “It’s going to allow me to plan my life again,” she says, “instead of planning for pain.”

If you are considering spinal cord stimulation and would like to correspond with Caitlin, email her at CaitlinK@sjmneuro.com.

Cailtin’s Personal Interests
Hobbies/Interests:	Reading, dancing, walking, watching movies, animals, swimming, going out with friends, going to music concerts, and going to the beach.
Favorite TV Shows:	CSI and Scrubs
Favorite Reading:	Anything Anne Rice and Dune series. Right now I am reading up on Russian history but love science fiction, biographies and non-fiction.
Favorite Movies:	Pirates of the Caribbean, Fargo, and Office Space.
Favorite Music:	Rock and hip-hop
About Me:	I have a cat named Buster who has kept me company during all of my surgeries over the years. His favorite activities include sitting on whatever I'm reading, walking all over my keyboard, stealing my pillow when I move at night, and being so cute and lovable when I'm in pain.

*The above testimonial reflects the experiences of this individual only. These experiences may not represent those of all or most patients and are not an indicator of future performance or success. In addition, the stated personal interests are those of this individual and are provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute an endorsement of any particular site or organization. The views and opinions expressed by the individual are not necessarily those of St. Jude Medical. Our patient ambassadors cannot discuss our products or therapies for unapproved indications or products or therapies from other companies.

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**This website may provide links to other websites not affiliated with St. Jude Medical. St. Jude Medical is not responsible for the content of other sites.

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