Um.... well.... being new to this site, I have not a clue how to perform some of the functions, like even replying to a visitor message. I tried searching "user guide" among other search terms and I come up empty handed. Can someone help point me in the right direction? Sorry about a post that is forum inapplicable! Mark56

Hi Mark and welcome

once your post level is higher you will reach full membership status and then be able to access more of the features and be able to post visitor messages, links etc.

Wow...I never had a psych eval...it was never even mentioned before my trial....but I've had my interventional pain doctor for 5 years..and I'm a Mental Health Counselor so maybe he trusted my judgement on the status of my mental health. I do a Beck Depression Inventory on myself every few months just to be sure that I'm still in the land of the semi-happy and I've always let him know how I was doing. Having said that, I do think a psych eval prior to an SCS implant is a good idea. Just the thought of someone clinically depressed getting this surgery scares me. The trial is depressing enough but the first 6-8 weeks after the implant surgery when you are so restricted is enough to make even a normally happy person depressed.

Yep, I hear you Hicktomboy, as the doctor evaluating me yesterday even allowed as how he has seen a rise in insurance company mandated evals precedent to fusions. And this, because once a fusion is accomplished..... well, that is "all she wrote" since a fusion cannot be undone.

Having been there, done that as well, I do understand Depression could be a factor if one had many cards stacked against them in life. Recovery from fusion was a long haul, and THEN, I found the nerve was still whacked out.... bug time. Chronic neuropathy with denervation is not a happy state of affairs, but one can find the silver/gold/platinum lining. That was one reason my family started a sciatica pain discussion group on facebook.... the stimulus being to project our story to others and help. It is pretty cool being able to reach out, give a hand, put an arm around another who suffers and show them there can be good through all of it.

Mark56

the real reason the insurance company wants these evals is they dont want to pay for a scs and then you go and kill yourself shortly after. the insurance company would think that would be a big waste of money. hence the evals...

Thought I'd bump this thread up to the top since there are several newcomers who will be getting these evaluations.
So many folks shared some good points on this topic, so hopefully it will help bring peace of mind to someone looking at getting this done.

If you want to share your psyche eval experience, that would be great!
Add more posts to this thread!

Great thread Rae.....I hope that it gives some an insight about this dreaded evaluation.

I had my evaluation in November 2009. I went to a lady psychologist in her own home. She was very nice and made me feel very comfortable.

She spoke to me about the process and what she would ask and how long it would take, about one hour or so.

The thing was that when she was asking me the questions, it wasnt like, ok
A......how do you do this, or that or

B.....what do you think or whatever....

She made it sound like a chitchat between two friends. So I was totally at ease. She asked about my family, how long I was married, children, relationship with my husband and my children.
Asked how it all happened and how I felt about it now after 5 years. Did I feel 'why me'??? did I ever feel like I wished I couldnt go on , obviously looking for signs of depression, suicidal tendencies, where my mind was at. She asked how I felt about the whole situation. I did say to her that I was SICK AND TIRED of people asking me about my back as if that just defined me as a person......
So this was the train of questions that she was asking me. Nothing was too intimidating or intrusive. In fact if anything she let me rabbit on as much as I wanted to. But I will say by the time I had finished I felt SO relieved at telling a 'strange' my true feelings. It was as if a weight had been lifted off me. Amazing. I suppose although I share my feeling with my hubby and family, I do hold back occasionally, but here I felt right give it your all. It was very theraputic

So dont feel worried about this evaluation. Its a requirement from your insurance company, no way out of it, so just go , relax , tell exactly how you feel and what your thoughts are. And it will be fine!

I'm so glad to read this .. and a tad worried.

I see a clinical physcologist on the 16th. I have a history of self harm (in my teens) and attempted suicide ... I have been ok for years now .. still get depressed from time to time, but nothing like when my hormones first kicked in. I also took drugs recreationally which I guess didn't help. (By the way, I'm 49 now)

I have been on Prozac for PMT for umm god it must be 16 years now.

Why do I want this SCS trial?

1. I don't really want to be on strong pain medication for the rest of my life and if there is a chance that the SCS will alllow me to drop from Oxycontin to a lighter pain medication, I will jump for joy !

2. I cannot walk without crutches because of the pain in my buttock/leg. If I don't use the crutches I walk bent and lean on my right side, therefore this will cause a problem in the future with my posture.

3. My social life has changed completely. Well, I dont have one to be honest as I am so worried about being pushed in a crowd that we dont go out. (A push will cause my back to spasm)

4. I want to be able to walk with my husband ..

So .. what am I expecting/hoping for? That the SCS will mask the pain enough for me to walk without crutches or at least, only with a stick .. and that my medication can come down so that I can focus my brain into doing something. At present I am so forgetful and confused .. it's no way to live.

How will I feel with a little device inside me? Lucky ! I've already got a name for it, Felix.

DO you think I will pass?

Oh Saffy,
You are so wonderful!
Your honesty will impress the counselor......and those things you did in your younger years........I'm assuming those are long gone in your past, right?
I think that as long as the counselor knows that you are not currently suicidal or abusing drugs, that shouldn't work against you.
I wouldn't expound on that too much, unless he really digs for that information......unless of course you are still battling issues along those lines.
I wouldn't want you to be tagged for something that happened 30 yrs ago if you haven't had those thoughts in all these years.
We've all done things we aren't proud of when we were teens (Most of us anyway)......

Everything you listed in your post is what the SCS is intended for! So you should be fine.

I too battled depression most of my life, but I didn't really expound on it because he didn't ask. I'm not saying to 'hide' anything by all means.

If he does dig deeper in to your past, make sure you address the fact that those issues are long gone and have been treated (assuming that they have been?).....
You are a wonderful family woman who simply wants to be able to BE all you can be. At the same time, however, you are certainly aware that the SCS isn't going to cure your condition.....it's just meant to mask the symptoms, so that you can hopefully lead a more comfortable and active lifestyle.

I'm sure it's going to be ok, so try not to be so anxious about this.

Big (((HUGS))) to you!
Rae

Nuff said. Eval was an easy talk, and before I new it, the doc was asking me to talk to another patient who had just arrived for another appointment.

I like Felix, too.

Mark56 PJ