Now, according to a very dear friend of mine whom I visit weekly, you would be classified as a Spring Chicken.... I mention this only for the smile factor, as my friend Ray is 92. A question which comes rapidly to my mind given the age factor is whether your physicians are contemplating this as a possibility since general anesthesia is commonly used in the permanent implant phase, that second and last step of the surgical implant.

You see, the implant of pain control devices whether pump or SCs is commonly a two surgery approach, firstly going into a Trial surgery which allows the patient time to assess whether the technology works. I have no personal experience with pain pump technology as my implant is a Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator. The neuropathic pain I manage was one of the left over blessings from a life altering car wreck. You have dealt with your pain far longer than I and pain being so subjective, it is only with the advice of your physicians regarding the risk posed by surgery you will arrive at the ability to make that all important informed patient decision.

Now that I have danced around the question a bit, I answer the one near and dear to your heart..... how have I felt having recieved the Boston Sci SCS...... BLESSED, OVERWHELMINGLY BLESSED. Due to the pain management thus achieved, I have been able to return to my profession and I am having the time of my life aiding others in achieving their goals, needs, and relief, both here and in my profession, where I practice law.

I was maybe the first known self programmed SCS patient so far as my doctor can verify, and being thus, I KNOW WITHOUT DOUBT MY RESULTS COMPARE MORE FAVORABLY THAN THOSE ACHIEVED BY TRUTH TELLING RECIPIENTS OF COMPANY REP PROGRAMMING. So I am a dedicated advocate of allowing the patient to take the wheel in programming.

Other questions? Yes, I have fully withdrawn from all pain medication..... absolutely all of it. I have maybe taken a couple of tylenol for a headache since withdrawing fully as of September 2010.

For you, my friend, I PRAY a good, appropriate, successful decision, and if you have any other questions, I am right here.
Mark56