Hello, My name is Albert
I had my neck broken and some damage to my spinal cord. Im fused at C1 to C3, C4 to C6 and C7 to T1. Then they opened up a space in my neck to free up a nerve that was being crushed. The Nerve had been crushed for over a year. I'm having server pain in my neck and down my right arm and hand, no feeling in the right hand at the ring and pinky fingers, you can poke it with a needle and I cant feel it. Will the Nerve come back? My Doctor recommend that I get a Cervical Stimulaor install. Does this device work? He stated that they would place wires into your neck and send shock waves into the spinal cord at the neck area. If it works he said that they would install the stimulator permently. Has anyone had this device implanted and does it help with pain?. What are the side effect if any? Please Help!!!
Albert

Alberto- A GREAT BIG WELCOME to a new inquirer! Ok, now that the greeting is out of the way, let's try to delve into your questions.

Firstly, Fiiona will be a GREAT help to respond to cervical issues when she chimes in, as she has two units, one in upper body.

Secondly, SCS technology is a potential marvelous help for managing pain with big emphasis on MANAGING. It is not a cure all. For some, pain meds still accompany the use of the SCS since for them it does not adequately cover the full scope of their pain. For me, I manage dealing with all of my pain with just the SCS and a seat cushion I use since it is a lower body trouble we address thusly.

Thirdly, SCS cures nothing.... again it is not a cure, but a system to help manage pain. This I say for your benefit because my nerves in the lower body were severely damaged in a 2005 car wreck, the surgeons I was first sent to see said "I cannot help you." We should have gotten all five together and they could have sung it in parts kinda like Barbershop Quartets, but then I digress, SO, I was injured in April 2005, and by January 2006 when my first big back surgery occurred, the nerve damage had become permanent. Emphasis on forever. Now, of course, I was given hope by my neurosurgeon and physiatrist who both said nerves can regenerate over time at the fantastic rate of 1 millimeter per day..... so they said "give it a year, and we will see if you notice improvement in the lower legs. NOPE. Numb. But, I can handle that if I have decent pain management which is surely the case with my Boston Scientific. I feel blessed. I use a cane to walk due to total lack of propreoception in the legs. I do not feel the ground.

So, Alberto, the answers are generally applicable to your situation as far as pain management goes, and those nerves..... well, as my doctors told me, just wait ans see whether they regenerate after we remove the problem causing the issues in the first place. That began in 2006. I am still waiting.

Blessings on you my friend,
Others will chime in with their experiences,
Prepare to be bombarded,
All the best,
Mark56

I see you've started a new thread - I'll bombard you over there

It's great to have you

Rae

Hi All, I too have been lurking ( ok, just found this place yesterday and liked what I was seeing). I have had sciatica for the last 3.5 years, with the usual PT, lumbar injections (6), steroids (oral), 2 surgeries, etc... you know the drill.

Two days ago my dr. recommended the SCS. He called it the dorsal column stimulator, but I think it's the same thing. I will be going in for a consultation first on Dec 30. then hopefully I can get a trial started soon after that.

I have read a lot of the feedback on the NT site and it has really been helpful to me. I will continue on reading and maybe, with enough experience, be able to chime in as well.

Nanc good luck with everything!!

Take care everyone
Carol

It's great to have you!
Please stick around and let us know how your upcoming appt goes!
Yes, the SCS is called by several different names.

Welcome to the crew! We're a friendly (and a bit crazy )
bunch!

Rae

I am new to NeuroTalk and posted this to the general site, then saw this series of threads. I had an SCS implanted at the recommendation of neurosurgeon due to severe hip pain which I was told was going caused by an entrapped nerve in my left hip. Surgery was May 2 which involved drilling the bone to get the spinal cord to implant the leads. Unfortunately the pain from that surgery has gotten worse over the past several months. It is mostly in my back where they drilled and goes into my left side/rib area. The pain has me in tears most days. Most days I cannot even make myself a simple meal or do simple household things or walk my dog. Surgeon said "we corrected one problem, but probably created a new one". Last treatment was facet joint injections at T10, 11 and 12 on Nov. 1. Was told facet joints are inflammed. The injections did not work. Now told by surgeon "pain is most likely permanent and hey at least we fixed your hip and there's nothing more we can do for you". I am desperate to find relief and get off pain meds. Am seeking second opinion. Has anyone experienced this after having an SCS implanted with drilling of bone in thoracic spine?

Hearing those words "Well hey, we did one thing, but that other thing, it may be permanent. The nerve will grow back at about a milimeter a day so give it a year." Such words were crushing to me when I learned the nerve pain and ancillary damage effects would be a forever thing in my life. I so feel for you.

Mine not being a HIP situation, I cannot speak specifically to the matter for you, but were I to learn such information from a neurosurgeon, I would next be back in front of my physiatrist to ask " are there options??" Why would I do this? Because the trust I have in my physiatrist/board certified pain management MD is tremendous. He tells me like it is. You have not mentioned a physiatrist in your situation, but maybe if you have a someone in that arena, you may visit with them for a second opinion.

You and I have shed tears of pain, and I am very concerned that you NOT be left with a hopeless and helpless perspective of life. Talk to a pain doc, that's my vote.

Prayin for ya,
Mark56

It's great to have you here!.....except I'm so sorry you are left in this pain
Mark certainly knows his stuff when it comes to surgeries and all types of pain. I agree that it is WAY unacceptable to be told what you have been told! oooo this angers me!
Definately go for another oppinion! You should not be left hanging in the brink like this, and made to believe that you'll be like this forever. This guy needs a swift kick in the britches!

How is your SCS working? It sounds like you've been given paddle leads via laminectomy. I'm just wondering if your leads are where they should be or if something has gone wrong with them. Do you think the SCS is the culprit for causing this increasing pain, or could it be something else? My first instinct would be to suspect that the lead(s) have somehow been compromised.

Hang in there, you will get answers. It just takes the right person to dig for clues.
Please keep us posted

Rae

Hi Carol,
Welcome!! I am also a newbie. Signed it to get more information or helpful hints on the placement and surgery of the SCS. I already did the trial and I talk to the neurosurgeon on Monday December 12th for the date of the surgery. It seems we have all been through the same drill--injections, pills, therapy and on and on and on........ And after years of pain we end up with the SCS. I guess we can just keep reading others experience good or bad and take all the information with us when we see the doctor.
I have received alot of feedback--and a big THANK YOU to Mark and Rrae--you guys rock

Wondering how your Dr visit went today. Did he come up with any ideas regarding your thoracic?

Rae