[sos51]

Originally Posted by Mozena14

Hi My name is Maureen. I'm 54 and live in Phila. Pa. I had failed back surgery in 2006 at HUP. I walked into the hospital and didn't walk out. I woke up and wasn't able to move my left leg. The doctor ran out fo the room and didn't say a word. I was screaming. They sent me to Moss rehab for a month and I had to learn how to take care of myself when I went home. I am able to use my leg and walk a little bit. I have suicidal nerve pain. They put rods, screws, bolts, nuts in my back. DON'T ever get this put into your back. I had surgery in 1980 laminectomy and it was a great sucess. 2006 I was in shock that it went so badly. 10 hr surgery. It turned into a nightmare. I didn't take this very well. I ended up not being able to go back to work. Now I'm on SSD. I have no life. My brother lives with me now and takes care of everything. I was so independent my whole life until this failed surgery. I take Lyrica, morphine 30 and 15, Hyrdomorphone, flexeril, Lexapro and Xanax.I went to Neuro Surgeon at Thomas Jefferson Hospital last week and he thought I should get this SCS implanted. I'm scared to DEATH. I just found out it is still a serious surgery. Then I was told it doesn't get rid of the pain in the lower back. Just the leg. This device is from ANS. Has anyone had this implant? Can you tell me what to expect? Did it work? Do you still have pain? Any infection? Does it take the pain away? How does the device feel? Is it hard to sit down? Can you feel the device sticking out? Are you off the meds? Please let me know. I appreciate any help. Thanks, MO

Interesting. I had a fusion in 2004, and everything felt fine, but my WBC count was always elevated. Then, they found 6 herniations in my neck, and my physiatrist started injecting Botox into my neck and shoulders. That's when all hell broke loose. That's when the RSD appeared, with a vengeance. 2 rheums. misdiagnosed. And it was an OT who whispered into my ear as well. Thank God for her, because otherwise, my treatment would have been delayed even further. And, by the way, I cannot get anything like the meds you have. My doctor is talking about LOWERING my med dose, and I'm barely moving. Perhaps I need to seek out another pain specialist.

[Hicktomboy]

I had my SCS implanted Dec 09 so I'm just about 6 months out. I have severe chronic pain in my left Sacroiliac, left hip/abdomen, and left leg. I had 2 major surgeries for cancer in 01 which led to my troubles today. I ended up with lymphedema and major scar tissue from a complete lymph node dissection..the uncontrolled pain after the surgeries caused me to have a severe limp..which lead to degenerative joint disease of the sacroiliac joint. I've tried EVERYTHING..way too many meds, including ketamine infusions and high dose dextromethorphan.....I have nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablations on a regular basis.

The SCS was my last ditch effort. I did a trial in 11/08 with 1 lead but chickened out at the last minute for the permanent implant because I have horses and wasn't going to be able to care for them. I did a 2nd trial in 11/09 with 2 leads which gave a better response than 1 lead so I went ahead with the implant in 12/09 even with the issue about caring for the horses.

I'm 6 months out now...I had surgical site pain for about 3-4 weeks that for the most part went away. I've had my scs reprogrammed twice and am going in for a 3rd reprogramming because the last one made things worse. Originally I'd hoped to get my leg pain covered but it doesn't even touch it...my back pain is about 60-70% better on most days (doesn't do squat for me when a weather front moves through)...the hip/abdomen pain is GONE (yay for 1 out of 3).

I'm going in for 2 more RFA's next month to cover leg pain and to get my SCS reprogrammed...I couldn't survive without RFAs and nerve blocks.

Would I do it again? Its a toss up.....but I will say this....even some relief is better than no relief! I haven't had any problems with my battery or leads **knock on wood** but I am only at 6 months..I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

As for the trial..they do give you restrictions..and while yes..you do want to try to do normal things..FOLLOW THE RULES...you seriously don't want a major infection or to have a spinal fluid leak because you did something you weren't supposed to do. Having said that..don't sit in a recliner the entire time either..that won't do you any good..just use your best judgement...don't twist and turn or run a marathon...and don't pick up anything heavy.

Regarding infection..I didn't have an infection but I was also on antibiotics for 10 days prior to surgery and 10 days after because 3 out 4 of my past surgeries I ended up with abscesses and I REFUSED to do this surgery without cephalexin on board.

My SCS is from Boston Scientific..so I can't really tell you about how the ANS one might feet...my SCS is set (unfortunately) right where my jeans rest which is annoying at first..but I'm used to it now...when I first had the implant...it drove me bonkers to feel the implant pushing against the back of a chair..but it only bothers me every now and these days. SCS are implanted just under the skin so you can feel them...but mine isn't protruding all over the place....of course..it does have quite a bit of cushion to rest on As for pain meds..I'm still taking the same meds that I was taking before the implant..just less often with the exception of when a weather front comes through. Hope this long post helps you!!


Best wishes for you in your quest for pain relief.

[Rrae]

Very well put! Good insight!
Hows it goin with your horses? Just wondered. I have 5 horses and still battle within myself if I'm capable of caring for them like they deserve.
Some days better than others.
Today....not such a good one

Just wondered how you're doin with your horses.
Hope it's goin ok

God Bless
Rae

[Hicktomboy]

Rrae- things are going ok with my horses. I'm caring for them 99% of the time. I only need help to unload hay/grain. Mine are easy though...they stay out 24/7 and only come into the barn when they want to. They have free range of their stalls and lucky me, both of them HATE to potty in the stall! My stallion is a trip, if he's locked in for any reason, you have to go out and hand walk him for potty time because he absolutely will not pee in the stall, he'll make himself sick first. Poor boy was being locked up every night for the past 7 months because people moved in next door with 2 horses and they thought it was ok to use my fence line to turn out..made it difficult and my stallion had to be locked up every night and had to be hand walked for potty breaks. But THANKFULLY they moved out on the 10th HIP HIP HOORAY and things are back to normal and my stallion is once again happily turned out 24/7 with his momma.

My Boston Scientific rep called me last week after my pain dr visit. Said he'd heard that my implant wasn't covering the pain. He's such a great guy, he helped me reprogram my implant over the phone. Helps that he'd done the same with me during my first trial implant. Now I just have to keep myself from fiddling with the programming whenever its not up to par!!! But still..makes it much nicer not to have to drive 45 miles each way just to get the darn thing reprogrammed!!!

I have an appointment at the cancer center on July 14th to get my 2 RFAs done again. The month can't possibly go fast enough, When my RFAs wear off, my leg pain keeps me awake and I can't take pain meds at night because, lucky me, I'm an oddball who gets hyper on pain meds!!

Hope all is well with you and your critters!

[Rrae]

Prayin for your upcoming appointment next month
Rae

[Mark56]

Add me in there too for prayers on your behalf!!

Mark56

[vannafeelbettr]

SO GLAD you decided to post your predicament. I'm also from the Philly, PA area and I have two Spinal Cord stimulator implants (one for upper limbs, one for lower). I have an EXCELLENT Pain Management doctor who is a genius with a 89% success rate. His name is Dr. Steven Rosen with the Fox Chase Pain Management. He is a perfectionist and a brain and he knows his stuff. Been to 10 doctors before him who did all sorts of epidurals and injections that helped me very little (or temporarily). First time I spoke with Dr. Rosen (who was HIGHLY recommended by my Neurosurgeon), he immediately did the proper testing for me to find out why I was having the excrutiating pain I was -- severe nerve damage from nerves being stretched, not disc impingement (what other Docs were treating me for). Long story short, I tease him and tell him he is the love of my life for giving me my life back. He placed those ANS leads so precisely, that I have 100% full coverage of where my pain is

You have a great group of people on this board. Hope you find the answers you need and meet some awesome aquaintances along the way

Best of Luck!!! Vanna