Originally Posted by Sophie_ (Post 784731)

Hi WDT,

Must of what Mark and Karen (Saffy) have said I completely agree with. I bet the doctor that told you you were a pain addict hadn't a clue what he was talking about, I bet he's read the books, looked at the patients but as for pain, he doesn't understand it, he doesn't understand what it does to a person, he basically hasn't a clue and I bet if he was try to walk in your shoes for a day he wouldn't last 5minutes. My reaction to him would be right then i'm off!

I've been there done that I can tell you, my biggest problem when I was 21 was that they didn't believe someone of my age could have such a huge problem let alone require a discectomy, ten years later, same problem different chapter, this time I wasnt taking any crap from them and I suppose being a woman with tears in my eyes they couldn't call me agressive but lets say my husband wanted to pull the head off one doctor for they he spoke to me, he told me the pain was in my head. How f** king dare he!

To cut a long story short I spent many years in Ireland trying to find a doctor who would first believe me and second was able to treat me (it's all in my bio if you fancy a read) I eventually found this pain physician and he agreed the SCS was the way to go. I had it installed in December just gone and the outcome is truly amazing. I've managed to cut back on my pain meds and im up out of the bed and walking everyday. I'm even back at work. I basically got my life back.

Since then I have had some tweeking sessions but I believe this is normal, my doctor did tell me it would take about 18 months to get things right and so far he hasn't been wrong.

As for the physc eval, mine was a piece of cake, she basically asked me about my pain my support, did I fully understand the technology and did I understand that this was a piece of metal that would be inserted into me. I didn't find it a problem, she did ask me about the meds, I probably siad yep, i'd agree that I wil have a little problem coming off them but i said i will cope and that I am a strong willed person with lots of support. I didn't lie but she seemed to understand the pain.

I hope this helps, were a good group here and ask us anything ya like, you don't say where you're from? I'd love to know it makes a difference from each country.

Take care

Sophie :)

Originally Posted by Mark56 (Post 784907)

Hi WDT- The sensation I feel with the Boston Scientific Precision Plus SCS is a tingling in my lower body as though I am cold and have the shivers. The sensation somehow produces an effect referred to as parasthesia, a confounding of the nerves which prevents the pain usually felt from being transmitted to the brain. The cool part of my implant is that there are no wires exposed or to attach, and the remote accesses my four programs and the varied strength of settings on the device kind of like pointing a TV infrared remote at my hip and pressing buttons for commands.

The device DOES NOT shut off the pain producing quality of the nerve issue in you body. Instead it confuses the signal so the brain cannot register pain. When I turn the device down quite low, I still feel the pain as though it was still there like when I was taking meds. If I experience a pain spike; that is, pain which surpasses the settings on my device at the time, I turn it up until it handles the pain. No longer am I a patient consuming pain meds. I withdrew from them last August.

So, look at the SCS as a potential pain management device as a different means of pain management compared against meds which you have been taking. It does not work perfectly because it is human designed, but I will tell you, it has been a great way to have my life restored. Thus, I think of it as a restorative device.

I am sorry your doctor referrals have turned out to be duds. If you have a neurosurgeon with good hands who comes well recommended, then you are probably in a safe place. I felt very very blessed to have the doctors who cared for me in Denver, Colorado.

Big Hug for ya,:hug:zzzz
Mark56:)

Originally Posted by Saffy (Post 784469)

You must be worn out from dealing with the pain with no meds. I've cut down on mine a LOT and I still feel drained by the amount of emotional energy it takes to try and keep from taking a heavy pain killer in the knowledge that it may help disassociate myself with the pain.

In saying that, I've had a bad couple of weeks and given in .. and spent most of the days in bed or moping around the house .. that's not a life.

I think you are a definite candidate for a SCS .. and although it wont take the pain away, it could distract you enough to be able to cope better.

I'm out on whether it works or not, as I had mine implanted in May this year and have yet to be able to use it as the coverage isn't right and they can't put it right without another operation. I was given a choice, either opt out now or try a different lead.









I feel that the sensation I am getting (but in both legs, not just the one) could benefit me ... therefore I'm giving it a go, despite all my family not wanting me to.

Originally Posted by Mark56 (Post 784987)

Asking any doctor to put their hands in you for any remedial help as for me, I had to let them know...... let them know so they could know how best to help me. That is about all I can offer on that point.

May all be well with you,
Mark56:grouphug: