Lynn Milam struggled with rheumatoid arthritis for over four years. The pain in her joints made even simple tasks feel impossible. “I couldn’t hug my kids or hold my husband’s hand,” she shared. Basic activities like climbing stairs were a challenge, and she often found herself stuck on the couch.
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. Lynn tried various treatments: physical therapy, acupuncture, steroids, and immune drugs, but nothing worked for her.
However, her luck changed in October 2023 when she received an experimental implant in her neck. This device sends electrical pulses to her vagus nerve, connecting the brain to various organs.
Just three weeks after the surgery, Lynn could feel the difference: “My elbow pain was completely gone. My hands didn’t hurt anymore, and the swelling reduced.” Amazingly, all her rheumatoid arthritis symptoms faded away. Lynn, now 60, feels like she has reclaimed her life with her husband.
This innovative treatment was recently approved by the FDA and offers hope to others with rheumatoid arthritis and potential benefits for those with other autoimmune diseases. Dr. John Tesser, a rheumatologist involved in the study, explains that this device uses the body’s mechanisms to manage inflammation. By stimulating the vagus nerve, it helps regulate immune response, potentially slowing down harmful inflammation.
Statistically, about 35% of patients who didn’t respond to standard treatments showed improvement after using the device. This is a significant discovery in the field of rheumatology.
The device, small enough to fit in a pea, requires an outpatient surgical procedure—similar to other vagus nerve stimulators used for conditions like epilepsy.
Though the surgery was easy for Lynn, she experienced a minor issue post-operation: her voice was limited to a whisper for a while. A second procedure fixed that, although her voice changed slightly. To Lynn, it’s a small price to pay for a treatment that worked where others failed.
Now, she enjoys life’s simple pleasures again. “We can walk the dogs, hold hands, and share hugs,” her husband Donald said, reflecting on their renewed togetherness.
For those in similar situations, Lynn’s story is a powerful reminder that breakthroughs in medical science can change lives, offering hope to many who feel stuck in a cycle of pain.
For more information about rheumatoid arthritis and treatments, you can visit the American College of Rheumatology.
