Never had them myself, but WDT, learning you are also dealing with this complication to your situation sounds extra awful!!! I hope they are able to pass and the situation does not involve invasiveness of surgery! You might want to take a look at Tchr012 who has had complications of stones and SCS although her SCS is lumbar I think and not cervical as you are describing. Finonab also has cervical SCS, well actually she had both cervical and lumbar, so I am not sure whether her situation would be a close fit for you, but you could look up her threads on the Search function on the Task Bar above.

You mention Government, and I am not sure how Government is involved in your situation, but I have had Government involvement in my case as it started as Workmen's Compensation for an on the job injury and then Social Security became a factor, so I retained a lawyer to help me with the ins and outs because I needed an advocate who WAS NOT ME to take care of the battle to get me my due. If you are military, then I have not a clue about who advocates for you with the VA. But KZLRogue is former military and may have thoughts if that is your issue. She now has SCS and is golfing again and thinking of returning to Karate carefully.

I know the whole thing of considering SCS can be frightening, especially with the scarring compounding the situation. I have been there and felt the fears when I was considering it, but.... well.... for me it was more of the same old, same old, meds and more meds or this, and I am glad I prayerfully considered the approach. All I can do for you is pile on the prayers. Doin it!

You take care, and listen to your docs, ask questions without fear they will not respond, and God will weigh in,
Prayin,
Mark56