Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulator
 

I was in a car accident that really messed up my neck on October 13,2008. I have had many Radio Frequency Nerve Ablations, in fact I have had two different procedures in the last month for C2,C3,C4,C5,& C6, on the right and left side. I wear an exterior neuromuscular stimulator/TENS unit daily. I still feel terrible. My pain management doctor recommended the Boston Scientific SCS implant. Has anyone had success with this in the "C" section of their spinal cord? Feedback on any brand would be appreciated. I just started using the tool of others who suffer like I do and it has been helpful. Of course the pain meds help but I was told this SCS could cut them down by 50%. I would like to hear some feedback. Thanks.
:confused:

While I am not quite 2 weeks post-surgery ( I got both lumbar and cervical SCS's put in), I was told that the cervical area is the easiest to do and usually gets the best coverage for the patient. The lumbar area is harder as there's more area to cover (lower back, hips, legs, feet etc.). The drawback with the cervical is that since it's such a more flexible part of the body, you really have to be careful during post-surgery until your leads/paddles are really scarred in well. Usually 2-3 months to get the leads/paddles scarred in well. The cervical area also has the benefit of not using as much battery power so you don't have to recharge your battery as often. Good luck!!

Welcome spord!
 

Glad to see you found your way over here to our little neck of the woods!

I'm so sorry about your accident. You aren't alone, however, several here have received their implants because of some pretty serious car accidents.

Several of the latest SCS'ers have received the Boston Scientifics and are getting good reviews. The Reps seem to work wonderfully with the patients in getting the right programs to cover the area in need of pain signal interruption via the stimulaltion.
I think you'll be pleased with what you read, although not all implants are for everyone. It is a very individualized form of pain therapy and there is quite a process in getting the unit, but you can get a pretty good idea of what patients are saying by reading thru some of the threads.

Others will join in on your new thread and be of great support and gladly answer any questions and concerns you may have.

Meanwhile, here's a good information piece on the basic frequently asked questions:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post689330-12.html

The best part of the process is the fact that we get to do a 'trial period' with the implant to give an idea of how well it may work for us before making the commitment of getting one. I'm sure your Dr has explained all this to you, but feel free to ask anything!

It'll be good getting to know you! You've certainly found the right place.
We continually learn and grow from one another and the support here is wonderful. People from several different countries have jumped aboard our forum!

Glad you're here!
Rae
:hug:

Welcome Spord
 

Welcome Spord...:)

Good to make your acquaintance.....Very pleased indeed to see you here on this website. I only found it two weeks ago and the amount of knowledge Ive learned in that time is so valuable.
Im very sorry to hear about your accident and how you are suffering. I have an SCS since 5th Aug and its for my lumbar region and legs. At the moment Im waiting to see the rep for some tweaking, but having said that where it is covering is doing a great job. At times I feel like I'm in a jaccuzzi if that makes sense. Thats the feeling I get when Im lying down anyway!!! :cool:

You will get great feedback from the great people on this site and make sure you ask plenty of questions because someone will always have an answer for you. Its just terrific

Take care

Jackie :grouphug:

Welcome Spord
 

Hi Spord- Fiona is a good resource for you as a recent cervical recipient of her Boston Sci unit!

All the best with your decisions!!
Mark56 PJ :)

Fiona,
Please keep me posted on your progress, ecspecially the cervical part of your SCS. I wish you the best of things and I look forward to hearing good results. Thank you.
David.

Waiting for Workers Comp second opinion
 

Fiona, I was wondering how your SCS has been helping. I have my referral from my PM doctor for the trial, but workers comp wants me to go to one of their doctors for a second opinion. I am hoping they act quickly so that I can get the trial done. If you get this let me know. Others, if you have had experience with workers comp and can give me direction, please respond. I'm getting a little anxious about the waiting.

It's Good to Hear from you!
 

Hey Spord!
Thank's for the update! I was hoping you'd stick around.....but gee I'm sorry about the work comp frustrations.......
I've heard they can drag it on......

Not sure if you knew there is a forum here that has alot of info on WorkComp.... here it is...

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...aysprune=&f=30

Hopefully you can get some good feedback and maybe some tips on how to keep the process moving along......:hug:

Fiona will give you an update soon
Hang in there and stick around with our little family! We're always learning and growing from one another......

Rae
:grouphug:

Having both a lumbar and cervical stimulator, I am finding the cervical the easier of the two. The only challenge there is with the cervical SCS is that due to one's moving head/neck area so much more than one's lower body, they say to allow 9 months for complete scarring in of the leads (that is, if you get leads...if you get paddles there may be a different timeline). I was having great success with the cervical SCS until my last reprogramming when I asked them to give me a program that covered some different upper back areas. Unfortunately it turned out to be a bad idea and after having used it for a short time it has caused me to have a shoulder spasm/neck spasm that's taking some time to calm down. So, plan on it possibly be a matter of trial and error when you get the permanent in and are trying to find the best program to give you the best pain relief.

With the trial, I had about 80 pain relief and was ecstatic. Gone were the vision problems, the dizziness, the nausea, the throbbing temples, the sore/stiff neck and sore/tight upper back. However with only being 5 weeks post surgery (and having two implants put in), I am still dealing with post-surgery pain.

I've had to take some pain meds. occasionally, mainly for lumbar pain (having issues there finding the right stimulation for the right areas, too). If I hadn't played around with a different setting for the cervical area I don't think I'd be having the current difficulties with my shoulder/neck that I currently do. But, that is what it's all about...finding what settings and stimulation coverage works best for you. And, keep in mind, that during recovery from the permanent implant, the settings and stimulation needed may change as your body is healing from the surgery. But, again, the lumbar is the more complicated of the two, so I'd jump at the chance if I were you. The trial is a breeze and will give you a good feel for what percentage of pain reduction you could expect from the permanent implant.

Hey Spord
 

Work Comp can be daunting and fearsome; that is, unless you have sought help from an attorney whose practice is involved in helping clients through the process. I did that not right away, and probably slowed things down because of it. My guy is the one who jumps on the carrier when things go awry, like the infection I had at the Trial SCS site with pus and the whole enchilada of ick. The carrier balked at paying for prescribed meds [antibiotics] to combat the infection and keep me kicking on this side of the grass.... SO, I got my attorney informed of such shenanigans and the meds were finally approved. Of course, I had paid the expense out of pocket up front so I would not succumb to post surgical infection, but, the attorney made it right for me after all.

Going it alone without someone batting in your corner can be a lonely prospect. At least I have someone to whom I may turn.

Food for thought, in addition to Rae's and Fiona's advice,
Mark56:)