Rae,

I hope you are enjoying your snowstorm (although with peripheral neuropathy, I'm sure you're cussing the bitter cold temps). The questions you are asking about the neurostimulators are great questions, and anyone thinking of getting one (or two) should be aware of many factors.

When you first receive the implant (or during a trial), the frequencies emitted from the system block the pain signals from reaching your brain, therefore stopping your brain from sending the pain neurotransmitters to the receptors. The result---- little or no pain! Got my pain level down to a 1 in the beginning, which was like hitting the lottery (I'm sure you know what I mean). But, believe it or not, your smart-alec body will also build up a tolerance to these frequencies, thus making the pain relief less effective. Being leary of this, I try not to "over-use" my stimulator and treat it like a drug so my tolerance level will stay low. BTW, I was told that I couldn't overuse the stimulators; which I'm sure is true as not being harmful for constant use as a treatment. But, I'm trying to be smart, turning it off when I really can go without or am on pain meds so my tolerance level stays low so I can get a long endurance from this therapy. Any relief is greatly appreciated, even if it's a little, when you are trying to sleep at night and the top of you legs and feet are as irritable as hell.

Also, the reps I had were great! I worked steadily with 2 or 3. They called me every day during the trial, meet with me whenever I needed my programs adjusted---- which leaves me with an IMPORTANT point. The right programs in your stimulator will MAKE or BREAK the success of the relief you get. I cannot stress how important it is to properly communicate with your reps. The reps praised my ability to do that and in turn, I was able to make the most of my stimulators and receive the greatest relief that was possible.

Bottom line for me.... maybe doing this procedure was, in fact, a big deal. But, for me the option of not doing it and living the way I was not an option.