Does your SCS cause numbness while on?
 

I have had my SCS for a year and a half. I have had six surgerys on it. I was not able to use it as much as wanted because I had the chargable battery and was not able to charge it due to RSD taking over the incision. I had my nonchargable battery placed two weeks ago and have been able to turn it on for two days. I have had it on contiually until I go to bed because I was not able to sleep with it on. After on for hours my legs feel like they have a walking epidural and I can slap and pinch them and they just feel numb. I have felt it before when it was on but now it is worse and I just hate to keep complaining. I would rather feel numb and not able to get around as well then to have to feel the pain. I had an epidural done for 4 days and it was a walking one and this feels just like that. Has any one else felt like this or is it a medical problem that I need to adress with my doc.

My experience
 

Hi abrown176, I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this with your stim. I have had my stim since 2008 (although have to have a new surgery to get the paddle leads put in soon). I wanted to say that you should definitely tell your doctor because when mine is working right I am able to turn it up and it helps my burning/numbness in my legs. I am able to actually walk normally with it on but do have to change the stimulation levels. When it isn't working right I have that burning/pinsandneedles/then numbness and cannot move my legs at all. I really think it is something to address with your doctor because they will best know how to handle it! Good luck and I hope that helps a little ;)Take care:hug:'sTara

Hi Abrowne76 :) nice to meet you.

Im too am sorry that things are not right with you as they should be.

I have my SCS in since 5th Aug 2010...so Im still a 'beginner';) I think I might know what you mean. I have a rechargable ANS stim and like Tara I have pins/needles, burning, stabbing pains in my legs. The SCS does help it while Im sitting down and I dont have to have it turned up too much. But in order for me to cover the pain in my legs and also my lower back while walking I do have to turn it up high. This at times gives me the feeling of numbness in my lower legs. At times I feel I cant actually 'feel' them. And when I have it up this high I do find it hard to walk.

I do think though that if its similiar to the walking epidural( dont think Ive heard of that one) that you experienced then you should definitely consider speaking with your Dr and asking them to look into it for you.

Hope that helps
Jackie :)

Thank you both! I am speaking of a walking epidural not truly knowing what to call it. I had a 4 day epidural drip that was to try and numb the pain of rsd. With this epidural I was able to walk carefully and able to use the bathroom so no catheter was needed. It was just harder to do anything due to the numbness. This is what I feel like with it on. My RSD is in my ankle and it is having to be used on at least a 4.5 and up to even get a sensation in my foot. Thank you for your input and advise.

Sorry you're having problems:hug: I really don't have anything to add as my SCS is used for other issues, but I do remember my dr. saying that RSD patients have to have much higher stimulation to get desired results. Maybe you need your remote/programming reset? Let us know how it goes as we all enjoy learning from one another.:winky: