So Spinal Cord stimulators really help???

[MeMaw2005]

Hi,Iam a 44 yr old woman who has Rheumatoid arthritis and have severe pain in right low back and hip area.  I was told that I have bone on bone from about L3 on down and that I need a fusion but that it would not work on me due to my RA being so severe in my spine.  Is there any one who has had the Spinal cord stimulator implanted and is having less pain than before the implant??  I am in  Pain Management clinic and am taking BIG Drugs for the pain.  Would like to be able to lessen or elimenate the drugs if possible. Was told by pain management doctors that I seem to be a good candadate for the spinal cord stimulation.  
Any help is appreciated

[MeMaw2005]

You have actually made me feel lots better!  I guess having a doctor tell you something you just do not trust that it will be as good as they say it will be. They had said a 50% improvement on the pain and I thought that would be great but to  hear you got a 80% decrease in pain is wonderful !!!  I would like to be able to walk in the Wal~Mart push a buggy and get my stuff instead of having to ride a mart cart around to do it.  Thanks you Tanglewood for your feedback It means the world to me!

[tanglewood]

You might want to post to the "Pain Management" forum. I got some feedback on that forum about the SCS. I had the trial last week and the relief (for me) was amazing. I have too many issues and I am not a candidate for surgery. I have severe pain in my neck, head, and arms; and I have a lot of low back pain that is getting worse by the day (it seems). When I went in for my trial I asked if they could put a lead in my neck to see if it would help there plus put one in my low back to see if it would help with the pain in my low back, legs, and feet. They said no, but they'd try to "program" the lead in my neck to also cover my low back. Yea, right - I did not expect any relief in my low back and legs, but WOW I got about 80% in my low back, legs, feet, as well as my neck. I still had pain in my right arm - but I was sure impressed with the trial. I am being scheduled for the permanent implant and when they do it they will use two leads and the relief should be even better. I think it's worth a look, MeMaw2005. Good luck.