FAQ/Help |
Calendar |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
SCS & Pain Pumps For spinal cord stimulator (SCS) and pain pump discussions. |
Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
03-16-2010, 11:02 AM | #1 | |||
|
||||
Junior Member
|
Any questions feel free to ask i have had mine since Aug 24, 2008. i habe lower back and leg pain.
I still take pain meds and they have increased , over the last 8 months , yet i would not give up my stimultor i am 51 almost i have had two laninectomy / discetomy on my lower spine L3 , L4 both right and left. |
|||
Reply With Quote |
03-16-2010, 12:24 PM | #2 | |||
|
||||
Grand Magnate
|
I'm SO glad you posted here!!!
I saw your 'New Member' post and jumped right on it as soon as I saw you have an SCS !! We've got a lot to share! I'm late for an appt right now, but I'll TTYS!! I too, have a Medtronic....and the exact same pain issues as you! .....Annnnd in the same age range as you..... oh boy! |
|||
Reply With Quote |
03-16-2010, 01:55 PM | #3 | |||
|
||||
Junior Member
|
awesome, great love to hear your story too!
Quote:
|
|||
Reply With Quote |
03-16-2010, 07:57 PM | #4 | |||
|
||||
Grand Magnate
|
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Ok, i have NO idea what happened here....... ? Allow me to just start a new post ..... ehemmm ....this has to be the most unique reason for an edit ever....... Last edited by Rrae; 03-16-2010 at 08:11 PM. Reason: accidentally pushed 'post' after cat walked across keyboard |
|||
Reply With Quote |
03-16-2010, 08:48 PM | #5 | |||
|
||||
Grand Magnate
|
Annnnneeeeewayyyy.......
Gosh, i don't know where to start...? You've had your implant for some time now, and mentioned that you've had to increase your med dosage..... I've read that after awhile the SCS can seem less effective, or that our body 'get's used' to this form of pain control (similar to increased tolerance).... What is your take on this? People have even described that after the 'honeymoon' period is over, some patients end up disappointed with the pain control becoming less. What I'm also discovering is that SCS seems to be more successful for patients with neuropathic (burning pain) in the lower extremities.......my concern is that there are many folks here who have full blown RSD and some of the full body RSD was due to it spreading after getting the implant. This is heartbreaking. I guess my main question right now is....what type of pain are you treating in your legs? Has it been diagnosed as PN (peripheral neuropathy) nerve damage, burning pain (that is me) ......or ? Were you told you have RSD? Some Drs seem to think they are one in the same, but my fear as that it is NOT. More and more Drs are pushing these SCS units on patients with both types of pain and I'm seeing so many RSD sufferers put their last hope in the SCS, only to end up getting a spread and making their pain much worse. ! And the LAST thing I would ever want to do is encourage folks to try the SCS, just because I seem to be having success with my nerve damage PN issues...... Am i making any sense here? I'm sensing that there is a critical difference in the two types of pain issues, yet doctors are so eager to push these units regardless. Each person's situation is unique. It's a tough call. The good thing about this tho is that there is the trial implant....but how is an RSD pt supposed to know if they will be at risk for a spread by only getting a few days to try it. ? I've been doing SO much reading on this issue, but there is never any clear-cut answers.... SO, my hope is that more and more people who have had these units for over a year or so would please step forward and share their experiences. Not to bombard you with questions...... Just wondering what your view is and what you've been led to believe ? Thank you for sharing! Rae |
|||
Reply With Quote |
03-19-2010, 12:36 PM | #6 | |||
|
||||
Grand Magnate
|
Quote:
Does'nt that profound piece of knowledge apply to an actual MARRIAGE as well !! |
|||
Reply With Quote |
03-20-2010, 07:00 PM | #7 | ||
|
|||
Member
|
Is your battery rechargable or not. If not does it last a long time before having to replace it. I have a rechargable and the doctor is thinking about changing mine to the non rechargable. My battery stays so sore I can't charge it and so its not going to do me any good. I don't know if I want it changed to where it will only last a year or two or just move it and try another place. It is suppose to last up to 7 years. If I move it and it don't help I'll be back in the same perdicament. So im to the point I don't know if surgery to change it every year or so and not have to recharge it, or try to move it and hope for the best, but if not then more surgery. This is why I was wondering how long your battery has lasted or how much life is used of it if it is the non rechargable. Thanks for any imput!
|
||
Reply With Quote |
03-20-2010, 07:09 PM | #8 | |||
|
||||
Junior Member
|
hello, sorry to hear your having pain
yes mine is rechargeable , i have it tured on 24/ 7 and they tell me it is on the high end of the scale my settings? i chargbe every week , i never let is get down completely , they other day it went to just a small smidgen left i thought it was going to run out, My area get warm some times burning , it aches some times , but not enough to move it it is place in my back just above my hip , i am ovwer weight it does poke out some and i have noticed that there is ripples uner the skin now, i was told 10 yrs they change it , but if you use it alot they will change sooner thinking that will be me. hope that answered you if not please let me know happy to help have a pain free day |
|||
Reply With Quote |
03-20-2010, 07:10 PM | #9 | |||
|
||||
Junior Member
|
ps this last time i went around two weeks before i charged.
it does take such along time to charge , i should do it more often for shorter periods they said as to not to cause the heating up on the battery on my skin |
|||
Reply With Quote |
03-20-2010, 07:24 PM | #10 | ||
|
|||
Member
|
Thanks so much! I feel about 4 weeks ago and ripped my internal stiches that are holding it. I have had it moved before because it hurt to bad to charge it. I have not even been able to turn mine on for 3 weeks because its almost dead and needs recharging. Im thinking of using a lidoderm patch over the battery and try to charge it so I can use it until they figure out my next surgery. It has always hurt since moved but right now it is in tremendous pain and I am at my wits end with trying to get my rep on the phone. Good luck with yours. I'm also heavy and it does stick out a little, but now since the fall it sticks out like a broke bone. Thanks for your answers hope yours continues to work out.
|
||
Reply With Quote |
Reply |
|
|