Hi everyone:

I wanted to introduce myself. I am a 29 year old woman with severe chronic back and leg pain. I have had all sorts of surgeries and have been on pain meds for years (this problem started when I was 16) but I am still in pain. In January, I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted. I was extremely nervous about the surgery and spent a lot of time looking for patient information on the web but really didn't find one good go-to source. So, after my surgery, I decided to start a blog about my experience. I talk about what it was like to go through a stimulator trial (I had 2) and what my surgery was like and, now, what my recovery is like (I'm a little over 4 months post op!). I also discuss a lot of issues pertinent to living in chronic pain and coping with having hardware in one's body. I also have pics. from my surgery (that was one thing I was really curious about) and I try to do all of this with sensitivity and humor (emphasis on try!).

Anyway, I hope it is ok to post about this on here. Admin..please tell me if it isn't. I've posted about this on other message boards too because my goal is to reach out to as many patients as possible. If you are interested, please come visit and don't hesitate to ask me questions. I know what it's like to be overwhelmed by this process.

Wishing you all a good day,
Danimal

I noticed you posted this in 2009. How are you doing this far out? I just went to a doctor today who suggested the Medtronics neurostimulator for chronic left hip pain. I read on a post that if it is put in your hip, you can't sleep on your back. Also that 20% of the people who have this inserted permanently, end up having it removed within the first year.
So how are you doing?
Thanks,
Heidi

Glad you found this forum! Check out our sub-forum here specific to SCS/Pain Pump discussion....here's the direct link to click on:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...ysprune=&f=118

Danimal hasn't been here for quite awhile......
I don't think I'm allowed to post her website here per guidelines, but if you google her user name, her website may pop up, otherwise contact me and I can give you more info

She's got a wonderful blog about her whole experience!

Rae