Spinal Nerve stimulation implant

[oscarabbie]

Can anyone tell me if spinal nerve stimulation is good for failed back syndrome. I have had several procedures to help prolapsed discs in my lower back, next step suggested is to have spinal nerve stimulation and am worried that although my pain might be helped but the exhausting feeling i have in both legs persists. Thank you

[HawktheSlayer]

Hey, I also have to agree with mqrcie. I have had my SCS unit for about 6 months now and it (altho not working as well as it did to start) helps with the pain alot. I have L4-L5 L5-S1 nerve issues we will just call them, and I also have a very high pain tolerance. On a normal scale of 1-10 for normal ppl my pain is about 16-18 I have had Dr's ask me after looking at my MRI how I could walk at all or why I was not sitting in bed crying from the pain. But back to the SCS the trial for me was like being born again, I had about 80% pain reduction. And I was very happy and asked to have the unit installed. I had the surgery and I had about 50-60% pain reduction which is still a good amount of reduction. But I have a 16 node lead installed and everytime I see the Medtronics Tech we try some new settings. I will try the new settings for about 3 months (he always leaves the one that helps me the best alone) But now after going back to work and going right back to my dumb years of thinking that I can lift and move anything myself I have noticed that I have more pain than before. I dont know if I have moved the leads or if my problems are just getting worse. I have about 30-40% reduction in pain right now. But my other worry is this. With the SCS unit and the pain meds working as they should, If i feel pain how bad did I just hurt myself. I know that if I was not on the pain meds and if the SCS unit was off that I would feel pain alot sooner, does this mean that I might have made things really bad ? That is my only Concern about the SCS unit. I feel that even tho it is not working as good as before it still makes it so I can get through the day and have fun with my kids.

If you get the chance give the trial unit a shot. Its outpac so your in and out and that will reallly let you know if its going to work. I hope that you can find something to help with your pain. Please feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

R/
Adam

[mqrcie]

Here is a device near and dear to me.  Getting the spinal cord stimulator (Medtronics) is one of the best things I ever did and I would recommend it to anyone with arm or leg pain.  I now understand the scs can be used for occipital headaches.  I have C 5/6 fused and plated however I also have herniated disks from C 2/3 on down to C 6/7.  I suffer from intractable arm pain due to my herniated disks and when my PM doc suggested it after I tried so many other things, I jumped on it.  They do a trial basis to find out of you will like it and if it will work for you then if it does you have the stim. implanted with the battery pack.  They make an incision (in my case, on my rt. upper quadrant of my buttock and that's where the battery goes and the leads are then guided to where you'll need them.  It was like a miracle for me when I turned it on and my arm pain all but disappeared.  So if you are interested you can read more by going to the Medtronic website and since the doc does a trial first, you will discover if it's right for you.  Good luck to you