Hi folks;

Well, in a couple of days, I will have a Spinal Cord Stimulator implanted to control the incredible pain I get from my neuropathy (idiopathic).

My test was very positive and I'm hoping that this will be the solution for 10 years of horrible pain. Just wondering if anyone else has had this done for pain? Any feedback?

Nancy-H

Hi nancy-h, no, but would love to hear about your results, when you can.

I had mine inserted just last Setember....It's awesome. It takes awhile for your back to heal though. Like most Doc's they downplay the seriousness of the surgery. Make sure you give yourself time to heal. You won't be able to turn it up that strong and laying on your back and even sneezing makes it "jump" up higher. We call it my cattle prod @ my house. The thing also has a "remote". The HDTV references abound. I can tell youthis it has changed my life!

Peter - I plan to report on the process so that others in pain can look at it as another option for them to try.

kithitter - Thanks for the info. doing things too quickly after surgery is my M.O. so I will have to make myself behave! Were you on different meds for pain when you got the SCS? I'm kind of wondering how long it will take to get off some of these meds that make me forgetful, sleepy, etc.

Thanks for answering my thread Peter and Kithitter. It helped me a lot.

Regards,
Nancy-H

make sure you search on it here and in www.hastypasty's braintalk (google for URL). I have heard that it never stops pain completely because you still need to take long acting opiates, but when sucessful you can take much less.
I have also heard that a high percentage of people get it taken out because it does not help or causes problems itself.
Lastly, some doctors over prescribe it thinking they can stop dealing with having to prescribe opiates. This kind of doctor often hasn't done enough studying and you should get a second opinion.
I was happy to hear that you got a test first to see if you would be helped by a SCS. What is the test?
Good luck
Jane

Thanks for the reply, Jane. My test was to actually wear the device for a few days to see how my body reacted. The wires only were implanted and the device was in a case that I wore around my waist on a belt. I had a good reduction in pain so I'm really hopeful.

I am using methadone also. It will be interesting to see what happens to my dosage. Tell me about Clifford Woolfe's nerve pain med???!!!!

Thanks again and wish me luck on Friday.

Take care,
Nancy

Does this work like a tens unit???

i just got scs mon. contact me **

hello folks,

Well where do i begin...I to have had the SCS implant about 3 yrs ago. The Dr. told me it was my last option. So I went through 2 trails. the first one had complications, the second one gave some relief. So I went ahead with the permanent implant. Unfortunately, within a few weeks I was in the Drs. with major complaints. The rep from the SCS company tried to make computer none surgical adjustments so that the stimulation could reach the right areas. It was reach all the wrong areas. Well I met with multliple reps 8 times within 3 months and all they(Dr.too) would say was to go home and try the programed settings on my own. So I did what they told me to do.Things became worse! I started getting debilitating external and internal burning and pain down both of my legs, and back. Weakness in both legs. The Dr. scheduled a surgical adjustment for the leads. By the time of that surgery he was doing a emergency removal because my legs gave out. I have been in a wheelchair ever since and can not walk. Still experiencing horrific pain. You see I was walking before the implant!

I didn't like mine either, and had it taken out in 1 yr by another doctor. I don't usually talk about it anymore, because nobody want to hear about it. I must admit your problem is the worse I've heard of tho.

I had a Rep from hell that wouldn't come and adjust mine at all. he finally sent another person, but it didn't do any good. It a rare case when you hear of someone that likes the scs. Sorry you had so much trouble.
Fancy