I just saw a new doctor for a consult. He is the 4th doctor to tell me I need an SCS.

This one worked for many years with Stanton Hicks, and just parted the Clev. Clinic last year. He has implanted "hundreds" of SCS.

I have 3 main questions.

1)He told me that the main reason he recommends the SCS for me is that it will stop my spreading. (if the thing works for me, that is) This is the first I have heard that an SCS will stop spreading.

If you have an SCS that you use - did it stop spreading for you?

2) Also - this was most curious.... I told him that missing any work, past 1 week vacation time, would be a great hardship for me, and that means I need to drive. He said it would be no problem for me to drive within 2-3 days of trial or final implant.

Everything I have read is that people are told no driving for 4-6 weeks.

3) He said it should stop my need for taking medications, etc. by stopping all or nearly all my pain. He said that if the trial works, the implant should work. I said I have read of many people that have had the final one not work. He said that depends on the skill of the doctor... be sure to have one who has done hundreds of them and your outcome will be better.
Anyway, I am curious as to how the pain will be gone? The Medtronics site says it will be replaced with tingling simiar to hitting your funny bone. Well, I don't think hitting my funny bone is very pleasant. I've had times when I had to much neurontin and my hands and feet tingled terribly. I hated that. Is that what I would have? Their site also says it works better for arm and leg pain, but mine is mostly in shoulders, upper back, and now traveling down my entire back. I plan to see my regular pain doctor and my neurologist about this again before doing anything. The whole idea just scares me to death.

However, the RSD was pretty stable for the first year. Now, it is moving at what I think is fairly rapid rate. Showing up in my left big toe, for no reason, and this travel down my back is coming pretty fast. About 6" this week. Stopping the spread would be the main reason I would do it.

My mind is really whirling.