spinal stimulator: the good, the bad, the ugly

[uvickie]

What do think about the spinal stimulator to relieve nerve pain in leg? I had surgery in 2007 and since then have experienced extensive nerve pain in right buttock and leg into foot. I have been on medications since then and do not want to be on meds forever if possible. If you have the stimulator can you please tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly about it? I'm nervous about it but excited there is another solution!

Thanks!

[CHELLETO6DOGS]

i am assuming you are talking about the one tht is implanted? I have one and please let me tell you I LOVE IT. i can't take pain medications. so this was my lsat resort. I have a disease called neurofibromatosis (tumors on my nerves) most of my tumors are in my foot/leg. the pain is so bad i begged for them to cut it off. i had the nerve cut, no help. I was VERY DESPERATE. finally a pain specialist told me about the stimulator. okay. here i go, and this is from MY standpoint. the negatives: you literally can't do anything per say after the surgery. can't raise your arms, you aren't suppose to drive with it on (i forgot a few times it was on) can't bend can't lift. can't twist for like 8-10 weeks. prior to having one you have to have a psych. eval, which is nothing just making sure you are understandable of what is going to happen.
positives, it has helped me about 30-40% with the pain. i can function. i can control how much i want going into my body(the  impulse).
now when you go to surgery you are mainly awake they give you a sedative you won't feel the spinal and the implant at all you "wake up" and they guide the electrodes into where you can feel your pain. this can take any where from 1 hour to several. they might not be able to find it. mine thankfully was almost right away. they wheel you out and teach you how to use your remote. then you go home for 10 days and have it out in the office. if it works and you want it in all of the time, they let you heal some and have it done. i fell so i had to have mine screwed in.  you do notice it at first, but then it is second nature.
there is always a risk of being paralyzed and i thought oh well if this happens then i won't have to worry about pain.
but once you get into of recovery you should know right away when they start the program if it will help.
I can't think of anymore but i will be willing to try to answer more. oh If you do have it done wear a button down shirt to the procedure, you can't raise your hands over your head you will risk pulling it out of place. i wore a pull over for the tempoary one and tried like heck not to raise my arms over my head and they just barely went over and it pull out. if you do get one and you get permanent one, scar tissue will grow around it and that is why you can't do stuff for 8-10 weeks so it can heal and you can lead more of a normal life
good luck and i wish you the best. oh i have had mine for close to 16 months
Michelle

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Thank you for your question. Although without being able to examine you I can not offer you the specific advice on diagnosis and treatment that you need, but I would try to provide you some relevant information about your health concern.

I do sympathize with your health concern. I can not assure you here that these spinal stimulator may be helpful or not. Most likely, slipped disc or disc prolapse condition symptoms originates due to nerve root pressure or damage, pressure on the spinal cord/pressure on the tail bone. Common symptoms could be paralysis of muscles, pain radiating to the arms or legs, leg pain and numbness, tingling, or weakness. Warning symptoms can include loss of control of the bladder function, paralysis & spasticity of both the legs that you are experiencing now. Since you are suffering continuous weakness and notice reduced strength of muscle bulk in legs, please arrange an appointment with a neurologist right away. Further referral to a physiotherapist for spinal exercises, use of back braces, surgical intervention (such as diskectomy), steroid injection in back and pain killers could be beneficial and may produce relief of symptoms. Urinary/bowel incontinence may be treated with methods like behavioral method (learning how to delay urination, going for the urination according to the clock rather than urgency, fluid & diet management), physical therapy (Kegel’s exercise-pelvic floor muscle strengthening, electrical stimulation) and certain medications can be recommended by your treating doctor to get some relief from your symptoms. Hope this helps. Take Care & Stay Healthy!!!