What percentage of pain does your Implant cover?
 

I'm starting this thread out of curiosity and I know it will help newcomers get some idea on what they might expect from their implant.

I see folks coming out of the woodwork who have these units and it would be great if you would just post your testimony on how much pain does your Implant cover??
I know several here are very new to receiving their implants so it may be too soon to tell.
But if you've had yours for any lenghth of time PLEASE chime in!

For example: I've had my lumbar SCS for about 5 months. After weaning off most of the heavy pain meds, I'm seeing that I'm getting about 70-75% of pain coverage of what used to be level 8 pain. Not bad.
I still need to take breakthru meds, but I have been able to regain my life to a large degree.

Even if you are unhappy with your unit, please share that as well. People who do a search on the internet find this forum and they need to hear the realistic expectations.

Much Apprciated!
Rae

Go Rae
 

As for me I am now on fifth day without meds for pain management, just stim. I attribute a 90%-100% pain management factor to my VERY SHORT history using the stim since my implant date was 29 June 2010. Even so, I am impressed, thrilled, blessed, hopeful.

Thank you for starting this thread!!
Homerun for your team!
Mark56 PJ:)

Pain coverage experience
 

Hi everyone, I have had my stim since August 2008 and originally the stim covered my pain in my lower back and my right leg. When it was implanted my pain coverage was 95 percent in my lower back and right leg. I was off all my prescription pain meds as soon as it healed. I was walking normally and even exercising lightly but about January I then started developing problems in my left leg so when I had my revision done in 09 she added another lead which covered both legs and my back. I had to have the revision because both leads had moved in opposite directions (she still has no idea why that happened). She also buried my battery further back in my lower back because it was very sore and sticking out under the skin. After my revision my stim covered about 90-95 percent my pain and handled the pain in my back and both legs and I was walking normally. I fell back in September after losing feeling in my leg while I was at another hospital (getting my heart scan done) and since then I have about 80 percent pain coverage in my left leg but only about 10-20 percent pain relief in my back and right leg. When my stim was working I was no longer on any pain meds just neurontin because the stim really helped me so much I was barely in pain anymore, it was truly a godsend for me! Now, I am waiting to get it fixed because it has been getting more messed up since my fall last september. Hope that helps! :hug:Tara

I have only had my two SCS's since Aug. 19, 2010, so a little premature for me to say for sure. As of now, still taking Dilaudid and phenergren suppositories two to three times daily as await healing after the surgery. I have noticed approx. 70% improvement in the cervical area and approx. 50% improvement in lumbar area (burning in hips/lower back is gone, cramping in feet has been reduced).

My SCSs' remotes were programmed and turned on before I was sent home from surgery and I have found one program on each remote that is helping. I will be getting my remotes adjusted tomorrow as I go in for my first surgery follow-up visit.

Have SCS for over 2 yrs. Lamanectomy type. Overall 60% symptom relief. Weaned completely off of 3600mg Neurontin. Still take 60 mg Cymbalta for nerve burning pain and dilaudid as needed. Hope this helps-Carol

Last Night's Revelation
 

Well, with a pain spike last night of hours...... I can safely say with a MORE EXPERIENCED operator on my remote [getting there bit by bit] still very high. Cranked up the output and managed the pain, but wow, the surge in electrical field. I wonder if I could do the Uncle Fester thing and light a lightbulb?

:D Mark56 PJ

Hmmmmm not bad!!
 

Having only had my implant in for 25 days I can say that Im having about 40% coverage in my legs and yes it is helping with the BURN and the short stabbing pain. However, Im still waiting for it to actually cover pain in my lower back and buttocks.....it helps when Im lying down or sitting on the couch, but not when Im walking.......so Im hoping when I'm re-programmed that it will indeed cover all areas!!! Im hopeful;)

But definitely getting there:)

Just Keep on Keepin On
 

You are definitely getting there, and by persisting, you will arrive with the able help of your rep. Stay in good commuincation with them as you both fine tune your programs to suit your lifestyle.

Mark56:)

Thanks
 

;):)Thanks Mark:)

Finally got my date 9th Sept for my tweaking;) so, so pleased


Jackie :grouphug:

Things to consider with a morphine pump
 

For anyone considering a morphine pump as an option for pain management, here's my two cents worth:

1: If you're looking to be pain free, then you're going to be disappointed. I've found in my situation that the pump helps moderate pain levels better throughout the day, but that it wasn't one solution that took away all my pain. In my situation we also have me on two different kinds of oral opioid.
2: These are not really small devices, so be prepared for the hockey-puck that's going to stick out from under your belly. The thinner you are, the worse it will appear.
3: When I had my second morphine pump installed (first one lasted 5 1/2 years before the battery finally conked out), the pocket they installed my first pump in slid down, hence making my second pump directly under the belt line. Bending over has become much harder. Make sure the install location is high enough so you won't have quite as much problems when reaching down to pick up an item.
4: Anyone that goes to a brand new doctor and announces that they think they need a morphine pump is going to probably not going to get a positive response as they were hoping for since we're talking about a major commitment from both the doctor and patient, not to mention sizable investment and upkeep costs. The only way you can build up this kind of trust with each other is over time. It's my opinion that only those with more lengthy doctor relationships will have this option opened up for them.
5: Since my damage is from the waist down, I'd say that I have had very good coverage as far as how well the pump works.

After living for 5 1/2 years with my first pump, I had come to the conclusion that the thing really didn't make much of a difference since I'd grown so accustomed to it. Then the battery died. For a little over 3 months (I had another surgery scheduled that prevented it from being replaced ASAP), I found my pain levels were simply unbelievable once again. When they got my second pump reinstalled, I was blown away once again about how wonderful this amazing piece of technology can really work. I know it's given me back a much better quality of life, but it's no easy ride.

Anyone who "thinks" this might be an option worth consideration should bring it up with their doctor and then have themselves checked into the hospital overnight so they can be tested. It's not a result you'll have to wait for. You'll know right then on the spot of having morphine going directly into the spinal fluid in the spine is going to help manage your pain levels better.

Always be 100% honest! The worse story I ever read was about a person who lied about getting positive results during the test when he/she hadn't, and so of course the device was installed. That person then complained that the pump had failed, when that couldn't have been further from the truth. It was the patient who failed when he/she said that the test was successful. An open and completely honest relationship is vital with anything regarding pain management.

I just wish everyone could be as blessed with their pain management as I have been. There's no doubt that this goofy puck under my tummy has made all the difference.

Hi
 

Hi Bobinjeffmo :)

Thanks for sharing your situation with us about your pain pump and so glad to hear that you have benefited from it too.

Pain management is very important to all of us who suffer from chronic pain.

I have a SCS implant and have if for only 4 weeks now, so still quite new to it plus this site. Im getting good results with it too which is terrific. And Im in total agreement with you when you say that you MUST be honest both with yourself and the professionals when trying out these implants. They are there to help not hinder. Thankfully.

I wish you the best of luck and continued relief with your pain pump

Jackie :)

Thank you Bob
 

Hello my Friend-

Good to see you post again, and to re-read thoughts you present about pain management through pump, the manner, method, and process about presenting for evaluation, AND you multiple iterations of the device. You are well experienced beyond many of the rest of us, and you are living the dream of leaps forward in technology. May yours continue to bless you as it currently provides!

Mark56 PJ:)

Yes Thank you Bob!
 

I was sure hoping you'd chime in on this thread!
There seems to be very little discussion on the pain pump.......so you are the first 'Go To' man we've got!
The other's who've received the pumps have drifted off somewhere beyond the great divide....... I think of them often and hope they are doing well!

THANK YOU so much for your commitment to stick around to answer questions and give straightforward feedback!
The pump could very well be the answer many are looking for, but like you say, it's a matter of hooking up and communicating with the right Dr to make this commitment!
You are a true blessing to this forum!
:grouphug:
Rae

Yep- What she said
 

:I-Agree::You-Rock::Thanx::Good-Post:
Mark56

Great thread!
 

I'd say I get 100% coverage, and 80% pain reduction. Only difference is if I'm in a flare of RSD, the burning on the surface of the skin gets no relief at all from the stims ;)

Yep
 

That is the devil of the distinction that I have not received any remark by way of diagnosis from Doc, whether this BURNING feeling of my right foot is something other than remnant radicular neuropathic pain or this other devil of a thing. I would imagine RSD is not touched by stim. Thanks Vanna, you give me something about which to think,
Mark56:)