[Lisa in Ohio]

Hi All!
I have had some difficulty with my SCS and wanted some experienced opinions from any of you. At my last appt. with my doc, he stated he really did not know what to do next. He offered removal of the unit, but it is helping in some areas so I do not want to do that. The concerns that I am having now are the almost daily headaches when I use the best program, when the rep did the program she did something that caused an immediate crushing migraine and then she backed it off. I am also having so much shoulder and upper neck pain. Some days i wish i could just take my arm off and hang it in the closet to get some relief from the shoulder problems. This has since spread down across the back of my shoulder and down to the bottom of the scapula. I am back on percocet to help take the edge off of the pain but it does not help enough. I am doing the exercises that the doc told me to do. So I guess what I am asking is what to do next? Any help, as always, will be appreciated. Lisa

[Mark56]

Lisa-
This sounds totally AWFUL!!! I am so sorry you are experiencing the terrible side effects from your SCS. How could such a thing go so wrong? Your implant is a cervical placement for arm pain, right? Migraine!!! Induced by the program?? Having known the full range of classic migraine symptoms with my wife for our 38 years, I do so truly sympathize with you. Can a decrease of the signal strength although under the useful program bring a greater peace to you? I know for sure, that when I have used my SCS with the signal turned up too high bizarre side effects occur. However, when the signal is turned down lower most of my pain management can occur without bad side effects.

I add your situation to the prayers I offer to see you through this Lisa,
Deeply moved by your situation and caring,
Mark56 zzzz

[Lisa in Ohio]

Hi Mark, Yep it is a cervical implant for upper extremity. When I decrease the signal, the arm pain intensifies quite a bit. Even at higher settings the shoulder pain is almost unbearable. I find it oddly funny that whenever I reach the point when I think that I can no longer stand the pain, this ugly disease shows me how wrong I am.

Thanks for the response and prayers-- same to you friend. Lisa

[pooh_ac]

Has been battery life until the last 6 months. I am currently finishing year 5 on my rechargeable unit, my understanding is the thing shuts down in year 8 or 9. It will need 1 of 2 things at that time.... A new "battery pack" or an entire new unit. I am researching "updates" for my own edification. Will study "harder" as the time nears for a change....
Oh yeah I did take a nassty fall (dislocated my shoulder) which did "dislodge" my leads the fall before I got this unit.

[fionab]

Hi Lisa, I'm over here by Columbus, Ohio.

I have two implants, both lumbar and cervical. I found that the cervical helped with some of my issues but not all of them. I continue to have problems with neck/upper back and sometimes my arms. For me, it's due to muscle problems, not nerve problems, which is what implants are meant to deal with.

I've got quite a few trigger points in my neck/upper back and my pain mgmt. dr. (who put in my implants) helps me with those also. We do trigger point injections using a steroid, and I sometimes go to a massage therapist who specializes in trigger point release. So I'm wondering if you're turning up your cervical unit past where it gives you help, and in doing so, are causing your muscles to tighten up and cause the problems you continue to have?????????

I can tell when I have my lumbar turned up too high because my leg muscles start to tighten up and hurt and I know I need to back it off. Just a thought.

Fiona

[Sophie_]

Hi Lisa,

I don't think we've met before, I'm Sinead my screen name is Sophie. I have a Medtronic device for my back and left leg. Anyhow it's awful that you are having these side effects from your Stim, did you say what type it is? My sister suffers something terrible from migraines and I understand the debilitating pain it causes.

Has your Doctor suggested that perhaps this device is not for you and try one of the other implants available?

I hope something comes up, how did you leave things, have you to back? Try not to worry something will come up for you and please God you will find comfort somewhere.

All the best

Sinead xxx