Spinal Cord Stimulator experience

[tanglewood]

This is not a question, but a post about my experience yesterday getting a SCS trial. On the way there I kept thinking that I was waisting my time and putting my wife through more ****! I have so many issues I knew the SCS would not take care of all of them and I kept thinking: what's the point? Bottom line, though, my pain is down 80 to 90 percent! Woohoo!! I haven't felt this good in a while. The down side is I go back next Thursday and they take it out because this was just a trial. I don't want them to take it out, but I understand why they have to do it this way. I will have to heal completely 3 to 4 weeks  before they can install the SCS permanently. When they do the permanent installation I might not get the same level of relief because it might not be in the exact same spot. Then, what I'm told, over time scar tissue will further deterioriate the level of relief. Still, I'm psyched enough right now to want to continue. Things went well yesterday. The procedure hurt, but a little pain to get to where I am now is o.k. with me. Thank you to everyone who posted about the SCS, your encouragement was extremely valuable and kept me from backing out.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[HawktheSlayer]

Hi I am also sorry to hear that you are in pain, I know what its like. I have heard that  ppl that have had fussion before now have problems trying to have other surgeries, I do not know what type of surgeries they where talking about. Are you talking to a nerosurgeon ? They would have the best knowlage. Also ask your Dr to show/explaine it to you. Its weird that they would say that because during the trial the lead for me went in from the top of my back going down, and now the final unit is from the bottom going up to my spine. Again I am sorry that you are having pain but please ask your Dr to explaine what they mean by to narrow.

R/
Ada,

[tanglewood]

I'm sorry you are in so much pain! I have not heard that. I have heard that the SCS has been used to help with pain from surgery that did not work; or surgery that caused worse pain. I'm surprised to hear a spinal canal could be too narrow. If your pmp said that then the risks must out weigh the benefits? I don't know - keep looking for options.

[bev62]

My pain doctor had talked to me about getting a SCS for my chronic pain, but after looking at my MRI he said that my spinal canal was too narrow from the two level cervical fusion I had done two years ago. Does this sound right, has anyone else been told this?  I am just so tired of being in pain, I don't know how much more I can take.

[HawktheSlayer]

Hey, I know that with the one lead during the trial they can only do so much, but it really is amazing that they can do what they are doing for  you and me. and with the real unit, you are going to hopefully  be even in more releife, in more ways than you can think.I am happy that I was able to ease your thoughts about it and help you have the chance to try it out to see how it would help you. And thank you for your hope that I can get back to how it was before. I know that I have done some stupid thinkgs and now I am as they say paying the piper so I guess thats how it is. Jerry please do me one favor, even tho you will have less pain dont push yourself to do things that use to hurt you, I was stupid and thought I have no pain so I can do this again, I know that there will be some things that nothing I say will change your mind, I know that for me if my kids wanted to do somethinkg that there was nothing stopping me and even know that it might hurt me later would not have mattered. But please take it easy and try to let you body heal. Man I am still so happy that you have had the reduction in pain. I am sorry to hear about waking up with the pain, but as they have told you with more leads thay will be able to help more in more places., this is still get news to hear that you have had the reduction and I feel that after the trial when they put in the real SCS unit it is going to help you even more. Congrats again Jerry please take it easy and enjoy you pain reduction and I hope that you get even more with the SCS unit.

R/
Adam

[tanglewood]

Thanks, Adam. I felt like a different person Thursday and Friday. I woke up during the night last night with a lot of pain in my right arm; got up and made an adjustment, but it didn't help. I took a pain pill and went back to sleep. This morning I changed to program to one the Medtronic's rep set up specifically for my right arm and it is helping some. Also having some pain in my left foot - this is like the old days; right arm and left foot - if it wasn't pain it'd be funny. Still, I am getting so much relief I can't believe it. I know you told me, but until you feel the relief for yourself it just doesn't seem possible. The Medtronic's rep keeps telling me that she will be able to do more with two leads. That would be amazing. They only put one in my neck and I am getting relief from the low back pain and pain I was having in my feet - except some is coming back in my left foot. To me it is amazing that they can get to the pain in my low back from my neck. All in all this is great! Thanks for your input and encouragement. I hope you are able to get some one's attention and get in to see a doctor for yourself, too! Nobody should have to suffer as much as you are having to suffer right now. Keep after them - good luck,
Jerry

[HawktheSlayer]

Wow that is awsome. I am very happy to hear that you are getting that much pain reduction. I also had a good trial run at about 70-80 and that was like getting a new life. Rmember to make sure what kind of lead they are going to be putting in. I have one with 16 points that they can turn on an off. I started out with the install at about 60-70% but now is not really any lower I just have more pain in my left leg and now also have alot in my right leg.

So i know that they say with the placement and scaring it might be different but I really think that with the info they get from the trail they really get it right in the same spot. and if they use the same lead that I have they can make alot of adjustments to find better coverage for you. Again I am very happy for you, I know that after my trial I could not wait for the real unit to be put in, so hand in there and just remember that soon you will be able to have it forever.

And please take the time and find out what settings for the different positions so you can get the pain reduction as much as possable. And also remember keep the meds going and wait till you have the unit in for awhile before you start to cut back, also ask your Dr about you doing that, say that if you are feeling ok that you might skip a dose and see how it goes.

Dam again I am just sitting here with a big smile, Hoping that you will have this reduction for ever.

Keep a log about the settings and positions and let us know how it goes day by day.

Jerry again I am very happy to hear this news from you.

R/
Adam

[Tuckamore]

Yeah Tanglewood!!! I'm just about jumping for joy. I am so very happy for you. You have something that to look forward to when you have it permanent one implanted. Imagine a 80-90% pain relief!

I am so glad all went well. Thank you for updating us. I have been wondering how the procedure went for you. You are now one of our "experts" on the SCS.

Happy for you,
Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Hi Tanglewood:

I am so glad to hear that your experience with the stimulator was so good. I have heard good and bad about the SCS. There are members who ask many questions about the SCS and your input will be very valuable to future questions.

I have enjoyed keeping up on your story. Keep the future posts coming. It is storys like these that help so many of us.

Please take care and good luck with the permanent SCS.

Mollyrae