I would recommend ketamine infusions over SCS any day. Ketamine has been a lifesaver for me.

Here's a blog entry by a PM doc in San Diego that was posted just this week cautioning against SCS!

http://painsandiego.com/2014/08/06/s...verse-effects/

I have pain in my hands otherwise I'd be writing more. But I recommend staying away from SCS.

Cut out gluten!!! Helped me.

And remember... THERE ARE NO SILVER BULLETS. Yet.

Also, once the SCS is in your body, it stays there. It's too risky to take them out. So, if you et one you have to be prepared to have a foreign object in your body forever.

You might try higher doses of gabapentin. Or combine it with a low dose of Lyrica in addition (what I do).

Welcome ,I also have scs for almost year and half now,works well but at the beginning had hard time,the setting is so important and all the medications combine. I really hope your dr finds the right combo to reduce your suffering ,we all,had travel this far and many scs didn't work as long or how we expected but trying is the way you really know.
In www.rsdsa.og you will find some extra informations ,might be helpful and also www.howtocopewithpain.org will also guide you to learn how to retrain your brain in focusing in something else beside pain.
I wish you soon get some much needed relief and let us know how things are going we all,hope always the best,we are a friendly community really caring about each other's,gentle hugs from Jesika .

Are you sure that an SCS cannot be removed once it is implanted?

It can be removed mine was, they wanted it out so I could have mri's a neurosurgeon took it out for me. For the surgery they used ketamine and Pain meds which helped keep me out of bad flares.

Hello,

You are smart for seeking answers, as this disease can totally devastate.

It sounds like you are managing well, considering you are on little medication and are able to stay active.

The spinal cord stimulator might be a smart thing to try if you are not wanting to try additional medication.

However, I don't want to scare you, but I am proof things can go very wrong with the surgery and you should be prepared for what could happen. In my case, there was lead migration, and infection, and my unit had to be removed. In addition, my crps has gotten much worse. It is now considered full body and intractable.

I'm 35, and have never drank either. I'm pescatarian or "picky" as my mom would say.

I have also heard of people who have wonderful things to say about the stimulator. So, I would be cautious as there are more risks involved with the stimulator versus trying a lidoderm patch, for example. Just keep in mind it is still an imperfect surgery.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you get the answers you are seeking,
Wendy

This is such a personal decision. My CRPS started when I was 25...it's been 5 years since then. I don't take any meds for the pain now...use things like TENS unit, tDCS, ultrasound heat therapy, hot baths with Epsom salts, etc to manage the pain. I work retail so I am on my feet all day and work 45-60 hours a week. I do need to use a walker...it helps with the pain relief, my balance, and gives me a place to sit whenever I need it.

For me...SCS is not an option I would consider. There is just too much risk involved. I experienced spread after a LSB and the pain went from just my left ankle through almost my whole body...my right leg and head are the only places spared (and it's not internal either). Invasive procedures...even mild ones like injections were then out for me (my decision...not the doctors).

I think you just need to make sure you understand all the risks and that you are prepared to accept the worst if it comes to that. For some...it is worth the risk. Some people experience great relief from the SCS...others get much worse. This is not a decision to be made out of desperation...it can have far too great an impact on your life for you to have any regrets about it later. I can't give a recommendation on what is best for you...we all have to make our own treatment decisions...just make sure you take the time to think it through and make a decision about what is best for YOU in the long run.

Take care and I hope you find some relief soon.

SCS only work for 3 years and then you are back to square one. View http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=6_Nzh...feature=relmfu for updates on treatments, a clip provided by RSDSA.

Also read this and ask yourself how much you like to gamble.
http://painsandiego.com/2014/08/06/s...verse-effects/