Hi There Fellow Members!

I just read thru a number of the threads on this section and rather than hijack someone else's thread I figured I'd post one of my own and ask that all of you assist me by putting all your thoughts, opinions, and personal experience within my thread to assist me during this awful period!

Some of you may know me, but those who don't are welcome to read my introduction thread which explains my history and reason why I have TBI, Cervical damage, and other medical issues. (Basically I was blown up by an IED in Iraq and cannot believe this pain is still getting worse!) Here is my first post on this website which I was extremely touched by all who replied and helped me ever since! You guys are all the best!

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ght=gunny+fitz

I have been seeing a fantastic new Pain Management Dr who was the Director of ALL Pain Management at Walter Reed / Bethesda for last 8 years before retiring from Navy and going out on his own to help others!
One of the reasons I feel so comfortable with him is that he has seen EVERY possible combat associated injury and done thousands of procedures and treatments for Wounded troops and Vets in his life - those of you who are Vets know what I mean, as it makes one feel as if we have something in common if you know what I mean?

Background:
We have tried EVERY type of Cervical treatment to include stuff like:
-Pain Medication (duh) lol
-Nerve Medications (currently trying Lyrica which makes me too dizzy)
-Many other medications (Topical Compound Creams etc)
-Ketamine Infusions (biggest hallucinogenic trip Ive ever experienced!)
-Facet Injections
-Radio Frequency Ablations (RFA)
-Trigger Point Injections (almost weekly!)
-TENS Unit use
-Massage, Acupuncture, Heat, Ice, and everything else imaginable

**Have the "Coolief" RFA Treatment scheduled in 2 weeks which I have not done yet but am hoping it has better results than regular RFA.

NOTE: I have NOT had any invasive fusion surgeries done and honestly wish to avoid going that route for anything - hence the reason I am interested in this SCS Trial and learning more about the entire thing.

I literally live with cervical pain 24/7 which of course leads to daily headaches and weekly migraines. As stated in otter threads of mine, this has all obviously lead to increased Opiod tolerance and dependency which as of right now - the 10/325 Percocet is about the ONLY thing which helps to alleviate my pain, which is obviously just a temporary mask and is not a long term approach to helping with this entire matter! If I could go back and find the person who made, ordered, and laid that IED bomb in place in Iraq I would take pleasure in putting a round into his brain myself! It is absolutely unreal that I am living with the residual pain from that blast 11 years later! And as I have said many times before, some days when i sit here crying my eyes out from how brutal this is for me - I often wish I had died in that explosion and think of ending all this pain via Glock 23 more and more each time the migraines come to visit!

Therefore, my Doc mentioned the Cervical SCS procedure and stated it was a "last resort" type of thing which can only be done after all other means have been exhausted (Per the Insurance Co regulations). I have tried researching this SCS issue for hours online, watched every video imaginable, and still have not determined whether this is for me. I do like the "Trial Offer" but like everything else in the world - is this just a tease to get us to bite and go for the baited hook like a fish? How many did go for the "hook" and end up regretting it later?

Summary:
As stated in my initial statement here, I am truly seeking any thoughts, opinions, first or second hand experiences from having this SCS procedure done, and hate to say it folks - any horror stories involving this process if there are any? Feel free to send me those via PM if you wish, or ANYTHING you wish to keep confidential feel free to use PM as well ok?

My apologies on such a long frigging post and hope it didnt put you off from the onset? I pray all of you suffering from ANY TYPE of pain find a way to obtain your own relief and wish you all the very best my friends!
Semper Fidelis members!

Gunny

PS. Thought Id attach a pic of my TBI / PTSD Service Dog sitting on my lap in Pre-Op the day I had my Cervical Epidural. He didnt want to get off when it came my turn to enter the Operating Room. He knew something was terribly wrong and also knows how much pain i feel daily!

Attached Images

Pre-Op Service Dog .jpg (94.7 KB, 8550 views)