Hi Daniella:

No it's not a pain pump. It's an implantable little device with some wires that seem to be threaded around the spinal column and the wire (or wires), deliver electrical current that deliver stimulation (for want of a better description), and the electrical stimulation sends pins and needles down the thigh (this is what the neurosurgeon explained to us as he was holding the Medtronic device in his hand).

I then said "oh it doesn't deliver pain meds?" and he said "no, this is not a pain med delivery system". He also said "We give you a trial week first and if it works, we implant it in the body"."Some time it works and sometimes it doesn't"

At one of our neuropathy support group meetings, there was a guy there who had peripheral neuropathy and he had the device implanted. It was the second time he had to do it because the area of implantation gave him a bad infection and they had to remove it, clear the infection and reimplant a second device. He pulled up his shirt and you could not see anything.

I remember when Jerry Lewis spoke about it and he gave it rave reviews. But then again, Jerry Lewis had AWFUL back pain and this medtronic device saved his sanity. (his words).

I never forgot that. It was MANY years ago. I have no idea if Jerry Lewis still has this thing implanted in him.

Also, I asked the doctor this question: "do you mean to tell me that when you implant this thing, and the pins and needles go down the leg, THAT IT STOPS THE BURNING IN THE FEET??"

He replied "yes, sometimes it does exactly that".

Just wanted to make that clear.

Take care, Melody