spinal cord stimulation

[zimmy02]

In about a month I will have a procedure to block pain.The pain I have is from having a Tarlov cyst and compressed 4 nerves, S1 and S2,so now I have permanent nerve damage from it.I have sciaticia,tingling,numbness in the legs,muscle weakness and the achilles reflexor is not working either.So my question is has anyone had a spinal cord stimulator implanted and did it stop the pain?

[shinty]

It doesn't "stop" the pain, it makes it a little more tolerable though. Find a good surgeon for a second opinion. My first surgeon saw nothing , the other helped my sciatica and leg pain tremendously.

[EAGLEIMEDD]

I have had the Medtronic spinal stimulator for several years and is causes much more pain and many more problems than it has helped. I had an arm and shoulder injury and finally agreed to have it put into my spine. I am in so much pain that I can't lie on my back my body aches and I too feel like I have the flue all of the time. I also think it affected my breathing causing shortness of breath and many many other problems. I am getting ready to check into getting it removed which will leave huge scars on my back and I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS DEVICE TO ANY ONE!!~!

[momtofourboys]

are you sure your charger isn't malfunctioning. It takes me only 30-45 seconds to take it off the charger put the sticky patch on and slap it to my butt. when i am done it goes right back on the charger unitl it is fully charged I am wondering if it isn't your charger.
my wires moved in the recovery room for the temp one and a week after I had the permanent one put in I fell and yanked it out. I haven't had these move yet and my surgery was the begining of Nov.  I was told it takes a little longer then 3 months of not bending over or putting hands above head. just to be sure everything is healed rght

god luck Frank
Michelle

[tanglewood]

Zimmy, I had the SCS trial back in January and got 80 to 90 percent pain relief. Then I had the unit (Medtronics) implanted on Feb. 10. I got relief, but was disappointed with the amount. The unit quit working two weeks later and the tenician said she doesn't think it was ever working properly. I am going back in for more surgery Tuesday so they can find and fix the problem. I think I just got a defective unit - it is extremely rare! I am looking so forward to getting the unit operational again - my pain is all over but primarily in my neck. The meds help some, but the pain is always there. Right now I am taking a LOT of meds! When the SCS is working I take a fourth of the meds I have to take without the unit and get much better relief from 1/4 of the meds with the unit. Yes, there are problems with any treatment including the SCS, but I would highly recommend you at least do the trial. I had heard the rechargeable was aggrevating so I requested it not be used on me. I will have to go in two or three years from now for even more surgery to replace the batteries, but I didn't want to have to fuss with recharging. Just a personal preference. Good luck, and as Dawn recommended - call the ambassadors.

[fpainestam]

Hi, Zimmy/Dawn.

I had an SCS unit for a while, though for what sounds like a kind of pain different from what is afflicting you folks.  

There were two aspects of my experience that I think might be relevant for you.  

First, it's a fussy device, particularly when you have to re-charge it.  This will NOT be evident in the trial phase, but with the permanent device, I found that I was spending, on average, several hours each week just getting the recharger to work properly.  

Second (also not apparent in the trial phase), one of my wires moved, and ended up pressing on a nerve, thus making the pain worse, not better.  I assume that this would not happen to everybody, as I know a lot of people swear by the SCS.  However, you should be aware of the risk.

The best of luck to both of you...Frank Paine

[momtofourboys]

YES I HAVE ONE IN AND IT HAS RELIEVED ABOUT 30-40% OF MY NERVE PAIN. I HAVE TUMORS ON THE NERVE OF MY FOOT/LEG I WILL TAKE THIS AS OPPOSED TO NOT HAVING ANYTHING TO HELP.
YOU SHOULD B E ABLE TO TELL WHEN THEY PUT THE TEMPORARY ONE IN  IF IT HELPS.
I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN POSTED HERE BEFORE ABOUT THE STIMULATORS GO BACK THROUGH MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD GREAT THINGS ABOUT IT.
GOO LUCK TO THE BOTH OF YOU
MICHELLE

[dawn417]

I am also scheduled for the spinal cord stimulator. I have had 5 shoulder surgeries with no sucess in repairing the rotator cuff. My ortho wanted to do replacement but I am too young, not 40 yet, and my children are too small. I am having the Medtronic unit done. You can call 1-888-430-7246 and the ambassadors set you up with past patients who can answer almost all of your questions. Godd Luck.  Dawn