NeuroTalk Support Groups - Dorsal colunm stimulator

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Dorsal colunm stimulator

Hi all,

I don't know if I am in the right area for this but here we go . I was fitted with a DCS last year and have found relief from sciatica , down my left leg , although I still have lower back problems it has helped . After failed surgery , on my lower back, and numerous other procedures , and all sorts of pain medication' decided to go with the implant . A question I have is , as I have not worked for 5 years , and my background is metalwork and welding , can I weld , as in arc weld, mig weld or tig weld ..??? I was told no , a big no no . but have heard that maybe it can be done with like wearing an x-ray jacket , or some type of lead jacket . Does anyone have any sound knowledge on this subject . I have been too scared to give it a go , call me weak , but if say the controls in DCS unit was switched on too high , I think it could near kill me as when you turn up the controls to high it can be painful, any help would be greatly appreciated ....CHEERS

You may also want to post on the -
Medications & Treatments /with a sub forum - SCS & Pain Pumps
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum118.html

If your main question is about the implant & welding, you might use that in the next title.
I wonder if a welding specific site might have information you are looking for.

But I'm thinking because of the electricity/power used in welding , that it may affect the electronics of the implanted device in a bad way...

In case you don't read the SCS forum

Back in 2012 I worked for a manufacturing company with over 180 workers and 90% of them welders. When I had my impant in 2013 my PM thought I might still work for them. I was told to stay away from large panels and welders. I have a Nevro system and at the time could find little detail on them so read up on other models. I wasn't planning on returning to the company so didn't pay much attention to welding but I do recall reading one page saying welders may face a problem, it could be ok but an EMF can change the power settings on the implant thereby shocking you; if you do decide to weld you should at least turn the SCS off while welding.

I also read an electrical engineer suggested to stay as far away from the welder and not to sit inside of the welders leads as this would cut the EMF down some. From memory this would be hard as almost everyone sits next to the welder with a ground lead on the left side and the hot on the right side creating a larger EMF.

I would speak to your rep and if you feel they have insufficient knowledge (it happens) contact the actual technical department of your model and ask them. It is far too important a decision to not follow through on. Oh, and in no way are you weak, you are smart!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by lofty64 (Post 1199280)

Hi all, I don't know if I am in the right area for this but here we go . I was fitted with a DCS last year and have found relief from sciatica , down my left leg , although I still have lower back problems it has helped . After failed surgery , on my lower back, and numerous other procedures , and all sorts of pain medication' decided to go with the implant . A question I have is , as I have not worked for 5 years , and my background is metalwork and welding , can I weld , as in arc weld, mig weld or tig weld ..??? I was told no , a big no no . but have heard that maybe it can be done with like wearing an x-ray jacket , or some type of lead jacket . Does anyone have any sound knowledge on this subject . I have been too scared to give it a go , call me weak , but if say the controls in DCS unit was switched on too high , I think it could near kill me as when you turn up the controls to high it can be painful, any help would be greatly appreciated ....CHEERS