Hello All..New Member Here!
 

dear Ashley

i am 51 and have opted
no more surgeries
painful excruciating
and having some repeated
i have many stories i have read
there are many here with successful
stories so don't go anywhere
you are at the right place
persons real experiences
good luck
God is with you

hello
 

Well Howdy Ashley!!
 

We are a friendly lot here, and are happy you are now looking to have information. You see, information is helpful in order to overcome the heebie geenbies of the un-informed. I originally arrived here because I was among the UN, and looking for information because I, too, was a bit frightened.

Stick a computer in me for the purpose of electro-shock and just leave it there and hope it will work and what if it didn't and and and........ I felt in a word, overwhelmed. You see, since my car wreck in 2005, I have now been through the operating room 34 times in the humpty dumpty process of reassembling me. You see, part of the process has been the very successful implant of SCS technology to control lumbar and leg pain non-medicinally. It WORKED and WORKS EVEN NOW, so on the continuum of patients who have experience with SCS, I am among those in the VERY HAPPY category.

Now Pooh, who greeted you along with Eva, did not tell you, but she works among the medical community as one of those Brave Souls who nurse patients to health, and being a three time recipient of SCS technology over time, she brings an informed perspective while sharing her thoughts of the blessing of SCS. She is one cool friend! Eva? She is a Very Hard working devoted supporter of the pain filled as she knows it from overwhelming personal experience, and having her among us is Blessing Filled.

Questions? Ask them!! We reply. Reading? There is a lot in the stickie thread about Boston Scientific Mini Rechargeable also known as the Precision Plus System one would find in my spine IF I would allow them an up close and personal inspection. Even so, I have a definite willingness to reply to questions you may have about any of that which you face. This is one of my callings if you will.

So, WELCOME, and may you find over the next days a means to feel less fearful of coming events. I know I will try to help you in any way I may.
Prayin for ya,
Mark56:hug:z:grouphug:

Hello there and Welcome
 

Hi Ashley,

You're very welcome to our site and you've come to the right place for any info you would like on a possible SCS.
I was 17 when I started going through what your going through and 20 years later I'm still going through it.
First things first there is no need to fear getting the actual SCS and most people have had great experience from one, you don't say the type of SCS or where your from and this information would help us help you because the US and the EU are very different in their types of surgery and makes of SCS. Surgery i will mention later that I've decided to have is, as far as I know might only available in the UK. Of course I'm not certain of this. The UK is only a short flight or ferry from Ireland.

At 21 I had a discectomy that went well once I got over it, it took me two long arduous years. I still went and got myself an admin job for 9 months their back to college to finish my degree, the pain in those early years was pretty unbearable. Once I did I was fine until I was 31. I was at the gym, walking loads but nothing of high intensity.

My pain specialist suggested a Medtronic SCS and at the end of my tether with chronic back and left leg pain I said let's do it. The first 10 months were good, I was doing really well, I was walking 30 minutes a day which before the SCS I could only dream of it. I was doing normal stuff. Then all of a sudden it stopped giving me any relief, I had a fall in the garden and I suspected I ruptured another disc along with other damage, outside the leads.
So my Consultant disconnected my SCS. Over the last few months I've had many tests and after a full spinal MRI it turned out the degeneration of spine was a lot worse than expected. No point having a fusion, it wouldn't make any difference, the degeneration around it would just make things worse.

So now, next week, I'm having my SCS reconnected as a short term reliever to my pain for another surgery if i'm approved and I wonder would it help you, if you asked your Doctor about it. I'm not even sure if its available in the US.
It's called 'Deep Brain Stimulation' look it up in Google and don't be frightened by what you see. Ill have to go the UK but I don't mind that.
The reason I suggest this is because your problems would be over and done with and age doesn't seem to be a factor.

I hope you feel better soon and find it easier to make a decision.

All the best,

Sophie :)

Welcome Ashley
 

Hi Ashley and welcome to this fantastic site. You will find a huge amount of information good and bad on here in relation to the SCS and Pain Pumps.....look at the stickies up at the top of the page too...Vital information up there!

I have my stimulator for the past two years and wouldnt be without it now. I have Failed Back Syndrome.....after 7 operations to try to fix my back, disectomies, 2 spinal fusions, lots of injections, ketamine infusions and all types of medication plus patches it was finally decided I have the SCS implanted. I have chronic pain for the past 7 years in my lower lumbar area and legs.

Its wonderful how much relief I have at this stage but it took 5 years to get there. NOw I wouldnt be without my SCS. I have about 40% relief, and although Ive reduced my medication I havent stopped completely. But with a combination of them and the SCS I get by.

Please feel free to ask any questions at all. You are with lots of friends here

Take care

Jackie :)

Hi ashley
 

Welcome to Neuro Talk. This is the right place to be when you get scared! I did the same thing for my own conditions. You will find help, advice and friendship here. Many have good outcomes with the SCS and I will pray that you do too. ginnie:hug:

Hello Ashley!
 

Welcome Aboard Mate~ !! :hug:

As you can see, there is no shortage of friendly peeps around here :D. Glad you found us!

So, you're ready to do the trial - How exciting!

We've all been where you are, so we know how you're feeling right about now. You certainly aren't alone in this.

My story is very similar to Jackie's in that I've had my unit for over 2 yrs and it does wonders for my lower back and legs. Peripheral neuropathy/ CRPS is the culprit. I get about 60-70% pain relief from it.
The main 'negative' thing I've heard about is that there is a chance of CRPS spread after getting the implant, so you might want to ask Dr what he thinks on this.

It's gonna be very nice getting to know you, Ashley, so make yourself right at home and ask anything you'd like.

Rae
:grouphug:

hi ive had my unit in now for a year, it defintley has allowed me to live with less pain. ive returned to work and weened off most of my drugs. i was really afraid to make the decision to have the SCS put in, but really grateful that i did.
.

Welcome to the most-awesome SCS site around!! As everyone has suggested, ask away and we will do our best to answer. One of the cool things about the group on here is that between all of us, we have alot of experiences with most of the models, and covering a wide assortment of issues.

I have had my Boston Scientific unit for almost a year now, and as others above stated - I could not live without it. It has given me so much of my life and hapiness back :) My chronic pain journey started about 8 years ago (when I was 26), so I know the fear of being young and in so much pain all of the time.

-Heather