I'm actually wondering .. my doctor said the stim would do nothing for my back pain only the leg pain? Yet some of you guys seems to be getting stimulation in the lower back too?

I have a program that does cover my lower back and legs.
However, even tho the electrodes can be programmed to cover the lower back area, doesn't necessarily mean it will alleviate the pain in lower back.
Depending on the source of the lower back pain (ie: disc degeneration vs. muscle pain)....
I find the stimulation to be quite soothing for muscle pain in that area, however, since I have degeneration issues going on in my lumbar spine, the stimulator doesn't really cover the type of pain that this generates since it is more of a 'bone pain' thing.
Sometimes the stimulation in the lower back actually irritates the pain.
It just kinda depends on what 'mood' my back is in on any given day

Hi Saffy

Yes some do and some dont. I dont get the relief I thought I would. I have Failed Back Syndrome, so after 5 operations nothing worked so the SCS was mentioned. But I also have burning, stabbing, tingling pains in my legs. So when I had the SCS implanted I said to my Dr that in order for me to get the pain relief in my back I have to turn the stim up really high and this sometimes is worse than the pain itself. He said to me that it 'generally' is very good with helping with the neuropathic pain in the legs but not always successful with the back So I was a bit disappointed. But having said that I do get great relief with my legs especially when Im lying down or sitting down. Unfortunately when Im walking I dont get as much relief...but that should be rectified Im sure in time once I have the reprogramming done and the actual leads are scarred in. Some say that could take up to a year for the scarring in. So I suppose its a waiting game and everyone is so different too. We all experience pain in different ways and have different feelings. So what works for some might not work for others and so on.

But its good to get as much information as you can and be educated about the whole process

Jackie

LOL, we posted at exactly the same time Jackie - ha!

Like you said, the stimulator does a FANTASTIC job of covering the horrible burning neuropathic pain in the legs..... but the back issues are a whole different thing.
I'm so sorry you can't get more relief in your back where you really need it Jackie.....
I find that swimming in our local therapy pool at our Health Improvement Center REALLY helps! It's non-weight bearing and a great way to exercise the muscles in the legs........if I walk alot, it seems to put too much demand on my legs.
Do you like to swim? It's not for everyone, but to me it's wonderful.....especially if the water is nice and warm......
And YES I break the 'rules' and leave my SCS 'ON' while swimming and treading water........I mean REALLY. Why be in pain when getting exercise.....!

I love swimming .. but at the moment it's the getting dressed whilst still damp that is the impossibility.

Oh my goodness Rae that was so weird

Im not a 'water' person really but I have gone to swimming before this, last year some time. I actually paid up front for 10 swims so that I would MAKE myself go but I have 8 left!!!!! so that tells its own story. But you know what, Im going to try it again. At the moment the weather here is miserable. Its been raining since MONDAY so I havent been out as much walking. Although I do have a treadmill in the sun room ahemwhich is rather redundant!!! But Im going to make an effort!!

I know what you mean about walking and the demand on your legs. I also get this awful heavy feeling in my lower back, like Im carrying a whole weight around my waist and this drags me down when Im walking. Hence I have to sit and rest for a while. This is a problem that at the moment the SCS doesnt address. But ......Im hopeful that someday it will ..........

As regards the rulestsk tsk....Im sure the SCS police havent gotten to your area yet. Although I have a confession too.........ahem I use my stim while Im drivingI know I know you can all pick yourselves up off the floor now....but like Rae said what is the point in having it if I cant use it while Im driving. Which can be a real pain for me. So Im hoping to change my car for an automatic REALLY soon

Ok OK!! .......... ........ me too !

So sue me!

I sure don't want to be a 'bad influence'........but I'm just bein truthful.
The 'rule books' actually DO state that we shouldn't drive with our SCS's on....for safety reasons. I guess technically the SCS 'could' surge and cause us to steer into the oncoming traffic.......yikes.
.....well in my defense.....I think I was more of a danger to society before i even HAD the SCS because of my unpredictable mood swings due to being in constant unrelenting PAIN

I think if you know how it feels when it surges and are used to it ... no problem.

Yes true. I will admit I don't drive that often but when info it generally isn't too high.

I also don't want to be a bad influence