SCS for chronic neck or arm pain
 

I have chronic neck pain that turn into migraines. My left arm and shoulder tingle and burn. Disc replacement surgery was either to late or the damage from it rupturing, hurt my nerves. Will have had my surgery 2 years ago in September. My pain doc has recommended scs. I hate the way meds make me feel and the pain never goes away. I have permanent damage to the c7 nerve root. I've read alot here for the use of scs for the lower spine. Any HELP will be greatly appreciated. THANKS

I feel for you re. the meds .. I agree, they don't take the pain away. I think the only beneficial one has been paracetamol, and that hits nowhere near .. but as for opiates, well, I believe they only disassociate you from the pain ... be far healthier having a spliff in my opinion.

I think a SCS will certainly help you with the tingling and burning. Someone will be by shortly who has had help re. the cervical spine, am sure !

Scs
 

Hi Showdy,

I too feel for you, in my opinion the paracetamol are a bit like smarties and I hate the opiates, I hate the way they make me feel and the fact that they don't work either.

I too have a SCS, since last December. It works really well for my left side back and left leg so obviously I haven't a clue about the arm and neck. It has literally saved my life and I wouldn't think twice about putting it in.

I dunno, I guess do as much research as you can, here is a good start, talk to your doctor, ask tons of questions and hopefully you and you're family will come to some good decision.

Wishing you every luck and I hope the pain gets easier.

All the best,

Sophie :)

Welcome Showdy!!
 

The group here is fairly active and strives to share information which may help fill in with reports pertinent to your situation. I know Fionab had twin SCS implants one for lower spine/legs, and one for upper spine. I believe she has been lurking and have not seen her on here in a while. Maybe reading her name in this message will prompt her to turn in a remark or two.

In the meantime, I do know reliance on my SCS and cushion on which I sit have helped me to wean totally away from pain medications since August 2010. I am glad to have a mind freed of the medicinal fog.

May you find all you need by way of feedback and research, and if I may answer any questions for you, fire away.....
All the best,
Mark56:grouphug::grouphug:

Thank you all for your responses. It amazes me how many people have an scs implant. I didn't even know it existed until a month ago. My doc told me that I wouldn't be able to bend or turn my head for 4 to 6 weeks due to risk of the leads slipping but, when I'm miserable, my shoulders stay shrugged and my head leans forward.so hopefully the scs will work so I can relax my shoulders.I have the trial next week and I'm praying it works.

Praying alongside you
 

Hi Showdy- FOLLOW DOC'S DIRECTIONS closely. You want to make sure it scars in well. I will be praying with you that all goes well.

Be well,
Mark56:hug::hug:zzzzz

Have trial in now
 

My trial only has one lead and I can't wait till surgery, so I can have 2. Wow, this works. Mark, I've been reading your posts and I must say, you amaze me. From your story to the endless support you give to anyone that needs it. Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us. Getting back to me now. My trial is going great and I've already made my decision, well as long as sleeping goes ok. As far as that goes I can always turn it way down or off if it bothers me. I'm still hopefuls to hear from someone who has a permanent cervical
scs.

cervical scs
 

Hi Showdy, I have RSD in my left arm/hand and now it is spreading to my right. I had a cervical scs implanted 3/1 and it helps tremendously. No, it does not cure or take 100% of my pain away but it probably covers 70-80%. Three months ago I couldn't open my hand but with the scs and therapy (another long story now that workers comp is stalling on approval of continueing therapy), I can open my hand. I do have a bad tremor from the rsd which makes using it tough but I do. They added another program to my system that sometimes helps the tremor. I hope your trial goes great and things move quickly for you. Feel free to ask away or private message me.
Patty

Well said Patty
 

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your arm and hand! I truly hope that Work Comp issue regarding your therapy is soon resolved. Work Comp did come through for most of my therapy [ I say most since the balked at a one year pass to wrap up my exercise as we are in negotiations to finish the case] and I had hundreds of sessions over the past six years.

Since part of my case was multiple carpal tunnel releases [I have no cervical SCS for the arm] hand therapy was prescribed and allowed to help regain strength especially in my right arm in which the nerve had died to a significant extent. They will probably come through with therapy post SCS implant for the arm, especially if both your doc and attorney are pushing for action.

Here;s hope and prayer that all will be well!
Mark56:grouphug:

Stressedout,
Thank you for finding my post. Did you have the same results with your permanent scs compared to the trial. My rep said he couldn't make any promises , but during surgery they have more control of the placement of the leads. Do you have the medtronic? I have to make a decision on getting rechargeable batteries and to me that's going to be the toughest decision I'll have to make. Any advice or fore warnings will be greatly appreciated. Thanks