Hello Everyone! Lucinda here. My health issues are as follows. In 2008 I had anterior/posterior spinal fusion of L3-S1. Prior to this, I had some slight pain and after an MRI was told I had a bulging disc but nothing that should be causing the constant pain I was having. For 18 months, I had MRI after MRI with each showing some slight degenerative discs. I was put on Cymbalta because as my doctor put it, "it was all in my head". After 18 months of this and 7 transferamal injections into my back (which did nothing to relieve my pain), I woke up one morning unable to bare any weight on my left side, incontinent, and in such horrible pain that when my husband got home from work, I made him take me to the ER where I told them to find what was wrong with my back or put me in the psych ward. The wonderful doctor and nurse who worked with me, who we still see to this day, admitted me and gave me pain meds that for the first time in months gave me a few moments away from the pain. The orthopedic doctor assigned to me, for the FIRST time orderes x-rays along with an MRI and saw immediately that two of my vertebrate were completely cracked and moving 6 milimeters out of place. Thus, the drastic surgery that followed 6 days later. I was not even able to leave the hospital until after the surgery for fear I would sever my spinal chord stepping off a step.

Now, 4 years later and after dealing with the pain associated with the surgery and working 16 hour days, last Spring after being side swiped by a semi truck, my pain went from bad to worse and on May 11th, my last day of a 20 year teaching career, I developed a sudden and severe onset of neuropathy so bad, I could not return to my job. I was told by all my doctors, family, surgeon, pain, that I should apply for disability because the EMG showed I had nerves pinched and attached to the fusion site. So after being bedridden for 6 weeks, I started therapy, drug resuscitation, attempted relief by steroid injuections (which were unsuccessful due to all of the hardware and scar tissue), and numerous trips to all of my doctors to figure out what to do next. I even had a second opinion at Rush in Chicago. The bottom line is this, I will need to have a neurostim or a pain pump.

The research I have done in peer reviewed medical journals says that for my condition (faild spinal fusion syndrome and lower extremity neuropathy), I am a good candidate for the pump, however, my surgeon and Pain Control Specialists say that the pumps are very dangerous and I should have the stimulator. I have been cleared by psych for either with the words "you are a very intelligent person who is capable of weighing the pros and cons of each and making a decision based on that". NOW...I need your help. I need to talk to real people who have had either one of these and who have problems similiar to mine.

I have done some research on my own and have read many of your stories which has made ev erything as clear as mud.

SO...... I am open to any and all information, links, stories of success/failure, and thank you for welcoming me into your group. It looks friendly and a place where support is truly shared.

This is a highly personal choice and I hesitate to comment. I am in the process of getting a scs implanted. After spending countless hours researching both devices on professional sites and patient driven web boards, I decided to go with the scs because I felt that a failed scs was less dangerous than a failed pump. That was MY conclusion and may be totally incorrect. My problem is that the majority of luck that I have had with my pain issues for the last 30 years has been bad luck so I went with the scs based on personal fear. There are numerous folks here that have tremendous relief from their pumps and wouldn't dream of going another direction. I congratualate them on their success and relief. I hope they will jump in and tell you THEIR story. Best wishes for great results with your choice.

Dear friend

your story similar in many ways
i in spinal disorder started with my stories
found focus on BLESSINGS
i too was recommended
a pain pump
for now i opt not
i am afraid of having anymore
surgeries and many painful test
for everything in the end failed
it is long and sad
i will assure you this
you foundthe right place
persons here are awesome
strait up and honest
loving nurturing special
special persons
you found the right place

wishing many good info
and wonderful friends
take care

someone who cares

Lucinda,

You are at this moment in my prayers.. May God guide you in the choice that will be best suited for your needs. Praying you will know relief from the terrible pain you endure.

Gerry

Hi Lucinda

I have failed back syndrome and neuropathic pain in both legs. Ive chronic lower back pain since Feb '05, Ive had discetomies, Spinal fusion from L4 - S1 which I might add failed, have had that hardware removed because it caused me so much pain, rhizotomies.....and then had a list of different injections all to no avail.

It was then suggested that I try the trial for the SCS...........this was 2 years ago ...I did the trial and I couldnt believe how it helped the pain in my legs. So in August 2010 I had the permanent implanted put in. I have the leads and a St Judes stimulator. The SCS has given me about 40% relief and its absolutely brilliant for my legs. It helps my lower back somewhat, moreso when Im lying down, so in the evening when Im relaxing on the couch or in bed its just fantastic.......

Before I had the stimulator I was very drawn looking and ached all over. Mentally I wasnt in a good place and my interest in things was virtually non existant. Since Ive had the implant Im told I look so much better, I do a lot more, if at times TOO MUCH, and mentally Im in a better place too. It has taken away that awful 'dragging' feeling that I experienced with this awful chronic pain.

Now dont get me wrong, its NOT all good. I do still have pain, I do still suffer with burning and tingling in my legs, Im still on meds, if somewhat reduced, and patches too, I do wish I could get the stimilator to go up higher in my back to address the pain I get further up, but I was told when I was having my trial that this SCS was better for legs rather than backs and I have to say that is right, well in my case anyway.

However, I didnt get back to my job in banking, which I miss terribly. But as I cant sit/stand for too long it was impossible. But now Ive accepted this is it and Im grateful that after all this time Im a lot better since I got the SCS. I have the SCS reprogrammed occasionally and on the final one I got the stimulator up a little higher in my back, not as much as Id like but if it helps at all its great.

I do hope you get lots of feedback , as I KNOW you will from this forum, there are some fantastic people on here with some amazing stories.

So Lucinda the very best of luck in your decisions and please come back to us and let us know how you are doing.....

Take care

Jackie

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks for sharing your story! You're sure to find plenty of support here, as we are a very caring bunch!
It's wonderful that you have clearance for either procedure, so you've already got that step taken care of.
Lots of us have the SCS's and you've read up on alot of our stories. It takes a little more digging to find the stories from the pumpsters, but I can track down a list of members who have the pain pumps, so that you'll be able to get some insight from them. I don't have the list with me at the moment (I'm at work), but I'll post it to this thread when I get home.

It's great to have you with us, and we'll surely help you along the way as best we can! Please stick around and let us know how this will unfold for you!

Rae

Welcome to Neuro Talk. I don't blame you for wanting to do something positive for your pain. Many folks here have the stim, and they can tell you about it. Most have been positive experiences. I do have a personal friend, who has the pump. Has had this device for 10 years and does fantastic with it. I have watched her get it re-filled, nothing to it. Get a few extra opinions from Neurologists before you make your choice. All of us here will be here to support you, no matter which direction you go in. I wish you all the best. You are in my thoughts and prayers. ginnie

There is a LIST??? Huh. Never thought of that! Adding my hopes and prayers,
Mark56

Here is the testimony of Bobinjeffmo's pain pump:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post701979-14.html

Here are some post references, both good and bad, to hopefully give you a realistic array of experiences:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread144925.html

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...945#post841945

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post778075-7.html

Another thing you can do is use the "Search" feature near the top of the page in the bar that runs across the screen (3rd option from right). Type in 'pain pump' and it will bring up prior posts and discussions on these.

Hope this helps as you wait for responses here on your thread.

Rae

Hi Mark!
Since pain pump testimonies seem so few and far between, I actually copy/pasted those links above to my visitor page so that I can easily access them all in one place.

I know there are more, but these are the ones that came to mind. Maybe there are some testimonies you might remember that I could add?