Fearing spinal cord stimulator trial procedure

[BusyGrl]

Next month I'm going to have a spinal cord stimulator trial procedure. I've been putting it off out of fear and for financial reasons, but decided to go ahead and see if it works. Now I'm afraid of the epidural and removal of the leads after the trial is over. Is that silly? Yesterday my doctor told me the details of the procedure, including the epidural part being similar to when a woman is in childbirth labor and gets an epidural. I didn't get the spinal fluid leakage headache either time I had it, but I hear it is severely unpleasant (another fear factor). If anyone has had this procedure, I'd like to read your comments. I'm quite tired of the chronic pain and dependency on pain meds, but still fearing this.

[tjc1163]

hi,
im having a stim trial done in two weeks.... i had a 2 level lumbar fusion in march, complications during the surgery ended me up with RSD and a lot of back pain still., i have been doing many spinal nerve blocks but get minimal relife... can you tell me more about the procedure?  

what happens?  how long will someone need to be there with me, and what the 4-5 days were like after..

i have used a tens unit for my neck after my cervical fusion.. didnt do anything... actually somedays i felt worse the day of and the day after... if thats all this i will be crushed... but i know they explain it just like it should be a tens unit.... i am praying this helps me... i am at my wits end with the RSD pain...
my surgery is scheduled for dec. 28th if the trial goes well.

but i would appreciate any info from you on what you went thru and or anyone else that has gone thru it,.

thank you

tammyjean

[efd]

I wanted one so bad so that I would not have to take pain meds anymore but my pain managment doc said "no" I wasn't bad enough cause I didn't ask for large amounts of drugs so my pain must not be that bad. My orthopedist said that I needed it but because they are friends he honored my pain management docs decision. What my pain management doc didn't know is that I suffered greatly but refused to put myself in the position of being a drug addict. His nurse thinks everyone is a drug addict and acts like we are all faking our pain to get drugs and she convinces him of it. One time I had to leave town because my grandmother was dying, I called his offcie and told them that I would run out of my fentenol patches while away and could I come in right away to get the refill. His nurse screamed at me and said"what you want me to increase your dosage? I am not going to do that and neither is your doctor!" I couldn't believe what I was hearing! I tried to explain to her that I would run out while out of town and what am I suppose to do? All she said was well I'm sorry we don't have anything available. While I was away I din't sleep for three days because the pain was so bad.I could barely walk. That's when I said this has got to stop and called my orthopedists and said there has got to be another way! I felt like a street druggie coming off of some sort of street drug. Thats when my orthopedist said it was time for the implant. Needless to say, I didn't get it cause  supposedly "I am not in enough pain". I know people who have it and say it is wonderful! The best thing they ever did and only have to take an occasional tylenol. Good luck to you. I hope you do well.

[Tuckamore]

Hi BusyGrl,

Thanks for the update. I have been wondering how you are doing.

I'm sorry that the SCS was not effective in reducing your pain. I wish it would have been as you hoped and at least have felt like a massage. You just proved that we are all different. What works well for one may not work at all for some one else.  

I too find the TENS Unit annoying and actually painful. It provides me no comfort or pain relief.

Again thank you for sharing. I hope you will find something that brings you some level of comfort.

Tuck

[BusyGrl]

Thanks for your kind support. Just want you to know that the procedure was a success, but the trial did not have the desired outcome. My doctor had assured me that it is nothing like a TENS unit, but I beg to differ. It was exactly like a TENS unit, which I find extremely annoying and without value. It was utter relief to have it removed on the fourth day. It was nothing like I expected, and I feel deceived by the marketing literature. Unfortunately, I am in the very small percentage of people who just don't like the sensations. Why can't I be one of those people who says it feels like a massage?!

It's a wonder that some people are living more comfortably with a stimulator. They just aren't for everyone.

[opus88]

hi, I just wanted to mention that a possible 'spinal cord leakage' is very rare IF you have a good experienced doctor to preform this procedure...doesn't have to be a bad experience.
best to you
Opus

[Mollyrae]

Hi Busygirl:

I have a friend that had the procedure done and when they initially did the implant, they had her under general Anesthesia. I must tell you though, she has a great fear of any procedure so they thought it best to knock her out.

Sometimes you can find others on line who have had things like this done. Type in the words " Others with Spinal Cord Stimulators"...this may give you a good response on what to expect.

I wish you luck.
Warmest regards,
Mollyrae

[Tuckamore]

Hi BusyGrl,

It's good to hear from you again. I have not had this procedure but I hear from others frequently that have had this done.

I don't recall anyone saying that the procedure caused any major issues. Others may post that may have first hand knowledge and more information that I do. It is the weekend and sometimes the board is a bit slower with responses.

I just wanted to wish you the best and hope that will will let us know how the procedure turns out for you. We'll be watching for your updates.

Take Care,
Tuck