Hi Ashley,

You're very welcome to our site and you've come to the right place for any info you would like on a possible SCS.
I was 17 when I started going through what your going through and 20 years later I'm still going through it.
First things first there is no need to fear getting the actual SCS and most people have had great experience from one, you don't say the type of SCS or where your from and this information would help us help you because the US and the EU are very different in their types of surgery and makes of SCS. Surgery i will mention later that I've decided to have is, as far as I know might only available in the UK. Of course I'm not certain of this. The UK is only a short flight or ferry from Ireland.

At 21 I had a discectomy that went well once I got over it, it took me two long arduous years. I still went and got myself an admin job for 9 months their back to college to finish my degree, the pain in those early years was pretty unbearable. Once I did I was fine until I was 31. I was at the gym, walking loads but nothing of high intensity.

My pain specialist suggested a Medtronic SCS and at the end of my tether with chronic back and left leg pain I said let's do it. The first 10 months were good, I was doing really well, I was walking 30 minutes a day which before the SCS I could only dream of it. I was doing normal stuff. Then all of a sudden it stopped giving me any relief, I had a fall in the garden and I suspected I ruptured another disc along with other damage, outside the leads.
So my Consultant disconnected my SCS. Over the last few months I've had many tests and after a full spinal MRI it turned out the degeneration of spine was a lot worse than expected. No point having a fusion, it wouldn't make any difference, the degeneration around it would just make things worse.

So now, next week, I'm having my SCS reconnected as a short term reliever to my pain for another surgery if i'm approved and I wonder would it help you, if you asked your Doctor about it. I'm not even sure if its available in the US.
It's called 'Deep Brain Stimulation' look it up in Google and don't be frightened by what you see. Ill have to go the UK but I don't mind that.
The reason I suggest this is because your problems would be over and done with and age doesn't seem to be a factor.

I hope you feel better soon and find it easier to make a decision.

All the best,

Sophie