A new therapy is showing promise for patients living with the autoimmune condition, rheumatoid arthritis.
Dawn Steiner said she couldn’t raise her arms, move her shoulders, brush her teeth or shower.
Steiner said the crippling pain did not go away.
“I woke up the next morning, out of nowhere feeling as though I had been hit by a truck,” said Steiner.
Her doctor diagnosed her with rheumatoid arthritis. She said more than eight medications failed to bring full relief.
“I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy,” said Steiner.
Each time she tried a new one, she said it took several months to confirm it was not working.
“And they all have horrifying side effects,” said Steiner.
In 2023, Steiner enrolled in a clinical trial through Northwell Health in New York, researching called vagus nerve stimulation.
Dr. Kevin Tracey, President of the Feinstein Institute at Northwell Health, said a computer chip is implanted into the patient’s neck for the trial.
“Simply put, by driving electrical signals down the vagus nerve into the immune system, it’s possible to stop inflammation and that’s what the chip does,” said Tracey.
Dr. Tracey said as many as 50 percent of patients like Steiner are not getting enough relief from the medications available.
“The FDA as we speak, is now considering whether or not to approve this therapy for use in the United States,” Said Tracey.
Steiner said within a week of the implant being turned on, she was already feeling some relief.
Now two years post-surgery, Steiner said her life is the best it has been in 15 years.
” This has completely changed my life," said Steiner.
Steiner said she has to charge the implant once a week for 30 minutes. It vibrates each night for about a minute and said she does not feel it most of the time.
Dr. Tracey said this therapy could potentially help other autoimmune diseases, like multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and lupus.