[Paulb_47]

Hi, I'm new. 59 years old, back pain all my life but I ignored it. After all, doesn't every one have back pain?

5 years ago the pain started getting bad. Doctor finally sent me to a pain specialist. MRI showed it all. Scoliosis, degenerative facet joints, disk, stenosis which was bad enough that I required a lumpectomy to return strength to my right leg.

My pain management Dr says if pain threshold weren't so high, I would have been in earlier. I don't know about that but my teeth can't take anymore.

After PT, shots, Tramadol (the others make me sick), and radio frequency we decided to try SCS. I'm having my trial run starting 01/30/2012. I'm excited, fearful, hopeful and everything else many of you may have been.

I don't have a dramatic story, I just got arthritis and older. I tease my wife and tell her I have higgs boson desease. (gravity, sort of)

I would like to hear about experiences with SCS and Boston scientific. It's my pain management DR's brand of choice. Who am I to argue? I don't know squat.

[ginnie]

Welcome to Neuro Talk. You did find a good site. There will be others around in time to help answer and talk to you about their experiences with the SCS device. I really am hoping this works for you. I had to smile at the metion of the higgs boson. I like physics, and know they are looking for that particuar particle. I got old too, and have degenerative joint disease etc. Had fusion C3-7. Not too much fun. I did find this site however, and I found a great deal of information, compassion and support. I was in a very panicked state at the time I discovered NT. The people I met here have helped me through some pretty tough things. Hope you meet some new friends, and get some good responces. take care, ginnie

[Rrae]

Sounds like we're all having a great time with aging .... just a barrell of monkeys ain't it!

It's great to have you Paul! I read your post in the upper section of the forum also. I like what you said about positive input. Like you said, successful recipients usually have no need for pain forums, so most discussion is on the downside. The good thing about this forum is that there are several folks here who are very happy with their units. We've all come here for the same reason you have......a bit nervous about the upcoming implant, wanting to know more about them, etc.
Alot of times we are here to get support while we are getting an adjustment due to lead migration, etc...

Mark56 will be along shortly and he'll give you lots of good input regarding his very successful Boston Sci.

I sure hope your trial will prove to be a success so you can get a better quality of life going! Please stick around so we can see how this goes for you! Meanwhile feel free to ask anything and everything. As you read thru the posts you'll get a good idea of what to expect.

Glad you're here!

Rae

[ginnie]

Hi Paul, I just wanted you to know that I have heard more good things about the SCS trial and implant than bad stuff. I have been here I think about 18 months now, and I travel around the boards. Hope your pain level is down today. I do wish you all the best with your SCS trial. I had wanted to do that too, but my condition warrented a surgery.. take care Paul, ginnie

[JoanB]

Sorry you have a reason to be here, but since you do, we're happy to have you. I saw that you ventured into my thread--my trial was for a Boston Scientific, and in addition to my astounding discovery, I found that it did cover my pain for a bit.

(physics humor--cripes, this place is getting nerdier by the minute)

[Rrae]

Originally Posted by JoanB

.

(physics humor--cripes, this place is getting nerdier by the minute)

What on earth are you talking about!

[ginnie]

Hi Joan, I actually am not a nerd, but I love physics. I have been reading books on it now for several years. Never learned squat in college, so in my 60's took an interest. I know its funny to start some suject so far out there litterally! Time stood still, is the latest. Its OK to laugh at the nerdy stuff. ginnie

[Mark56]

Wull..... it goes like this. If your quarks are all lined properly so a higgs bosun can way impact them you might just qualify.... BUT, you must realize the first question on every psych eval is about higgs bosun, so if'n you haven't a clue, they don't want you....NOT.

The whole kit and kaboodle is just way COOL, and given the thoughts expressed on this brand new thread of yours, I reckon I should bid you all a fond farewell, because of the fantastic success I have known through the great benefit of wielding one of the most successful Boston Scientific implants known...... funny thing is these Queeks at Boston Scientif have not looked me up or spoken one single word regarding the "what makes Mark so different?" query. Spooky it is. If I were to experience such a patient phenom as an executive, and I have been a high executive in a company which was pretty darn interested in revenue, revenue, revenue..... so much for the "don't give a hoot" Boston Sci crew.

So think not of them for a moment... instead the MOST important factor in my case, the single reason I believe I am fully withdrawn from all pain meds is because I was allowed to drive the computer programming my implant two weeks after the surgery!!!! I kid you NOT. I am certain of this since I have had no "tweaking program sessions" and never have complained to the doc the doggone device needed revision. Oh, and I have never asked to be re-issued pain meds. Don't want them, don't need them, no how.

So, if you have to wrestle your rep to the floor [I only kidded my rep about putting him in a headlock if he would not let me], then I believe what you want is a hands on experience dialing yourself in.

Oh, and there is this way cool thing about Ginnie, who is humble as can be, she prays and prays and prays for all who are on here. She is devoted to faith and the folks who populate this place. Rae, the same PLUS a sens of humor which will not quit! Then there is my great friend Joan, whom I would contact in a heartbeat if I needed to know something about a computer besides the on-off switch.

Truly, all of the people here in this special place CARE about YOU and the story you bring, the promise of help you are being provided, and the opportunity within your grasp to gain management over your pain. The device is NOT a cure. It is a management device, like a rheostat for a light dimmer and such. I feel the sensation of the stim where my legs still have sensation, and the burning h e l l I had known everyday since injury is managed. I am still plagued bodily by the masked pain, for it produces fatigue, a factor I did not realize until I had resumed my profession AND WHAT A THRILL IT WAS TO RESUME CARING FOR CLIENTS!! You bet!

Now, as for me, I would not be here but for God, and I thank God for the blessings every day,
Praying for you also,
Mark56

[Mark56]

We GOTTA Pray you through this Paul so theradog can get back on the trail!!!!


1, 2, 3,.... PRAY!!!

You see, Paul, I was so similar to you in the withdrawal from the world because pain became my prison, our bed, my cell, the bedroom, as far as I ventured...... lost in a fog of medications after 27 surgeries to reassemble me following a bad car wreck on I-70. I wondered.... is this all? Am I dead to the world? Then doc suggested I consider SCS.

I feared it at first... more cutting.... more pain, and for what? Being a lawyer, I had read the fine print. It is a natural. I am good at that. Oh, what with the possibility of paralysis and such.... did I want to proceed?

Well, my wife and I viewed the video. We prayed. We researched online and I spoke with patient reps from St Judes [that is another story altogether]. Finally, it seemed the Trial would be worth it.... after all, I had not feared a trial before[ bad, bad pun].

The Trial cinched the deal! I was still on pain management meds, had never taken enough to completely control pain because it seemed I would thus be rendered perpetually unconscious. So here I am on, I think, day three of the trial... my precious wife asks me "how do you feel?" I get this funny look on my face, I try to speak but cannot because tears began to flood. Once I was back under control, I told her the tears were from joy, because I could not discern pain..... at all!!!!!! I kid you not.

Being thus sold, I went for the permanent implant, but worked out the deal with my Boston Scientific rep [part of that very long story] that I would be allowed to program myself. Frankly, THAT was the very best medical decision in my life..... programming the silly Boston Scientific Precision Plus SCS. My rep put me at the controls, watched over my shoulder and I carefully proceeded to do things which caused pain [nope, not that one] zero in on possibilities, then at last Four programs were set in my device providing variety stim so I could cycle through them if one became less effective due to over use.

GOD gave me a great gift that day, and it was the release from pain as I had known its constant presence since the wreck, so I withdrew from ALL pain management meds [also part of the very long story] and now I am mentally clear, emotionally in touch, pain is managed MOST of the time by the stim, and when it spikes, I turn it up..... quite a bit. I have never had a tweak or a revision surgery. Surgeries 28 and 29 were Trial and permanent implant.

No, I did not regain feeling in that part of the legs too far gone with permanent nerve damage, so I alternate between a cane and a wheelchair. Mostly cane. But you know what? I was able to commence a new ministry, you are now part of it. You see, I am a success story in the making and I write here to help others, also, I visit elderly and ill folk to let them know someone outside CARES DEEPLY for them. Tomorrow morning after early Bible study, I get to visit my friend Ray, 92 years young and a retired math prof from the School of Mines. What a treat. I don't know whether he blesses me more than I do him. He is a gem.

Being conscious what it is to lose all of our family accumulated wealth, and there was a lot of it....... I now am much more sensitive to the needs of folks especially in this time who cannot pay, so I do pro bono work to help with employment matters, real estate matters, corporate matters, and the ones which tear your heart in your chest..... the powers of attorney or will for one who lays dying in a cancer center of a hospital. God has given me so much, it is vital His gifts be passed on to others. I just love being helpful, even if it is as an elder in our faith who is blessing someone just about to meet God face to face.

We all here are a testament to the power of prayer for one another. Folks continually come back and even post on the blessings thread, like Eva, whose life story is the Bible personified in life lived well by one who has been tortured at the hands of others.

The reson for this long post Paul is to encourage you to remember your therapy dog is needed among those whom you will visit once God has seen to your implant in a good way. There is so much to Matthew 28. VOLUMES. This is why I altered the manner in which I greet anyone in my walk of life who asks how I am... my response "I feel blessed, how are you?"

Go into all of the world,
Knowing we are praying for you,
May your Trial be blessed,
And may you feel so released, you are back with your dog once again, sharing kindness, love, charity, hope, a touch of a helping hand,
You, my friend are called,
Now may you be healed,
Prayin for ya,
Mark56

[Paulb_47]

Wow! Thanks to all of you! Fortunately my pain management doctor is very aggressive. The surgeon who did the 'make a hole' surgery also tells me additional surgery would do no good.

The SCS offers me a way to continue a quality of life where, like you Mark, I can to continue to participate. Funny how those of us who have known pain are more aware of pain in the people around us.

I have told people in nursing homes that my dog absorbed pain. She does. All my dogs have had this ability. It is so weird. That, I have to share. If you are lucky enough to be able to train and keep a dog, it does help. Right now
I could not train a new one. Also, if the dog is in pain, the petting helps them even faster.

I read a lot about pain before I got here myself because of the therapy dog work. Emotional pain seems more damaging than the physical. Of course the physical does add to the emotional as well as the fear of living life alone. The isolation would be unbearable. I see that everyone here insist on living life as well as possible. I am in the right place. I do need prayer, not so much for pain relief as much as emotional support. Faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is love.

For those who didn't get the joke, the higgs boson is supposedly the particle that causes everything to have mass, that causes gravity, which, well, gravity wins every time. Ugg!