I appologize for another thread on Spinal Cord Stimulation, but I have some specific questions I hope someone can help me with!
I am 24 years old and 3 years ago was in a car accident in which I suffered multiple injuries including back pain (from facet joints) and nerve damage that left me with a foot drop and severe pain in my right hip and leg. I have tried tons of different therapies including injections, PT, and medications. I have radiofrequency ablation done at 2 levels (L3-4 and L4-5). That is the only thing that has helped my back pain. The first try at it lasted only 4 months, and I am havign it done again this Friday.
The leg pain is another story. There is nothing outside of medication that has helped at all. I am told that it is most likely not going to improve since it has been 3 years and nothing has changed.
I went from a very active college student, preparing for a degree in equine (horse) studies, and a career as a professional equestrian, to working at my dad's company doing outside sales. There I had the flexability to stay at home during the very bad pain days and to go to all the doctor appointments.
My doctors have reccomended a spinal cord stimulator for my leg pain. I have to admit that as scary as it is to think about, the idea of less pain and being ablt to lessen or stop my medication (600mg Lyrica/day, 6-8 ultracets and Oxycontin to be able to get any sleep)is really exciting!
My concerns are that I am only 24! I feel like this is something that older(no offense!) people get and also that I am only 5'2" and 110 lbs. Will the stimulator be able to be seen under my skin, like a lump? and does it feel weird if your pants rub on it? Also, I have some numbness sometimes in parts of my leg and there are so many different types of pain that vary in how bad it hurts throughout the day. Does the stimulatorhelp all the types of pain, or just the sharp pains?
My docors have answered the deep questions, but insight from people who have them would be sssssoooo helpful! Thanks so much!!!

Hi. I have severe inner ankle/foot/calf pain and is more like rsd then pn but anyhow was also suggested the scs. First would be the trial and then the implant. I had waited because I too felt very scared of this and also the doc I saw made me feel uncomfortable so I went to another pm doc who for me wanted to start with something for 6 weeks around before a scs. I am not sure as there are mixed reviews on the scs. Have you seen the videos for the different kinds. I think it may be even online. Anyhow the trial I think you could tell but not the implant. I am pretty sure but could be wrong. Also if you get relief that is the most important.Meds have done nothing fror my leg pain and I too have the sleep issue. I am sorry I wish I had more advice. I am now 30 but this happened when I was 28. If I can help you in any way just email or pm me. Hang in there and also you may want another opinion from another pm doc. I have seen 4 this year and have gotten 3 different procedures to do. A little scary and confusing.

Thanks for the insight. I have seen so many docs it is crazy. I have spoken with my neurologist, my pm docs and the pain center docs (pm and anestesiologists) and amazingly they all seem in agreement. Before this suggestion, I had been told that was it, there is really nothing left to do for the damaged nerves. Aparently, the damage is in the lumbosacral plexus. I have seen a bunch of videos on them, but I am going to do more searching. Thanks!

Hi. I know this is a hard choice. I guess from what I have been told being young we need something long term that is safe. The meds if we were on them for the next 50 years would cause there own issues and may not even be effective. If you go on the rsd forum there are more people with scs.

Well I am 19 and suffered an injury in February of 2008...I have Lumbar Posterior Facet Disorder, a Degenerative Disc Condition, Sciatica all throughout my right leg, severe low back pain, and numbness and tingling associated with the sciatica. I have undergone several procedures including facet/nerve blocks, radiofrequency nerve ablation, epidurals, i take 600 mg of lyrica daily, I take two kinds of muscle relaxants, and use a TENS unit as often as possible, i see the chiropractor 3 times a week.(sounds like we have a lot in common lol) I finally after waiting months for insurance approval have been approved for the week long trial of the precision plus spinal cord stimulator (aka Dorsal Column Stimulator). Unfortunately there are very few pain meds i can take due to very odd alergic conditions that I have, and also since I am in college i do not have the luxury of being able to take any meds for the pain, which on some days means i cant get out of bed, and after 2 months the nerve ablation, that was done at four levels, is already wearing off, and it was the only thing that gave me any pain relief in the low back, although it dramatically worsened my already severe leg pain. So now, after speaking to my doctor, with current patients, medical reps, chiropractors, and tons of people, they have recommended this procedure be performed. While it might seem like something for old people it really isnt. I never expected at 19, being 6'2'' and a healthy 170 that i could be injured as badly as I am...unfortunately there is not really anything they can do to reverse any of the damage...they can only mask the pain it causes...and spinal cord stimulation seems the best route, especially since all the pain meds do nothing for pain, have numerous undesired effects, and lead to unconcious addiction and the need for increased dosage...I hope the doctors fine a treatment for our conditions cause I am so sick of being in pain...shoot me an email if youd like any additional info that i have managed to procure for the SCS ~Sean~