Is an SCS a good idea for chronic back pain
 

Hi all,

Im after some advice if anyone could help?
I suffer from chronic lower backpain with peripheral pain in my legs, does anyone know if the SCS will have any affect on my back pain as ive heard it is good for peripheral but might not work on the main back pain...

Anyone have any thoughts?
:confused:

Chris,

SCS & Pain Pumps now have their own subforum in the Medications & Treatments forum. See:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum118.html

Doc

Thankyou Dr Smith, ill have a look see at the forum.

wouldnt want to be in 'Danger, Danger' (from lost in space also) im not mad honest !!

I was told don't do it
 

My Dr talked to me a few months ago about getting the stimulator put in so I talked tommy pain management about it he says he doesn't recommend it for me said to be honest it will work for a little bit but then won't help me so it would be a waste of time getting. Now again yesterday my surgeon said something about it again he went from talking about fixing my incomplete fusion to have the stimulator put in even wrote my pain management dr a note for me to give him about it. My husband, mother and everyone else said don't get it. Now far as the pump goes my mothers dr wanted her to get that but she declined because she did some searching on it and found out they have to cut out a space in your back for the box and you will go through more problems with it then you already have.

My name is Anthony and I am a 43 Year old Male. I was an extremely active Weekend warrior. In 2010 I was diagnosed with a tumor on my spine. I was advised to have it removed. I had the surgery and my entire life changed for the worst. After surgery I was left with blunt nerve trauma scar tissue and severe chronic pain. The pain started at the surgical spot wentdown my spine and radiated to my left abdoman. It was determined that another surgical procedure was not an option. My strong will allowed me to return to work for a few months. Than I could no longer answer the bell and went out sick..From 6 16 2012 I was under the care of pain management..Pain pills..Facet blocked shots. Epidurals..radio frequency ablation..Nothing worked..I than became a candidate for a spinal implant trial.In April 2012 The procedure was scheduled. The doctor attempted to place the leads into my spine and failed...The scar tissue was impenitrable ..I thought I was never going to work or play again..I was so depressed. My doctor knew how badly I missed my life. He referred me to another pain management specialist..Dr.Sue DoOuro of Beth isreal in manhattan NY..She scheduled the same procedure..She was unabsorbed topenitrate the scar tissue but did a work around..she placed 2 leads in my spine one up and one down...She changed my life.The trial was a success..I was still utilizing pain medal but notas much...I was amazed. So was my family..I was no longer hand cuffed to my bed..I am one of the lucky ones...Dr. DoOuro than scheduled me for the perminant implant...The implant went in on 6-1-2012...The stitches were removed on 6-13 and miraculously ...I returned to work on 6-18..I am currently on modified duty but after a year of hopelessness ..I am a productive and extremely happy guy. I don't think I could ever do karate or play softball again..but I can go to work..go fishing and enjoy my family..I cant speak for anyone but myself but medtronics and Dr. DoOuro have given me my life back..I still take some pain medication but not nearly the amount I was taking before the implant..Thank you for reading my life changing story. Feel free to email me with any questions you may have..I must get some sleep now I must wake up for WORK at 5 am..

I have a SCS..I don't know your situation but this device gave me my life back. If you doctor believes you are a candidate..Go for it. If facet blocked shots -Epidurils - and Radiofrequency ablation cant control your pain..Maybe a SCS is the way to go. At least try the 5-7 day SCS trial..the lead or leads will be placed in your spine and you will have a temporary. Wire sticking out of your back. You will have the opportunity to feel the benifits of the device...it is a bit painful at the entry point..but if your pain was close to the horror I felt before the implant. You may benifit from the SCS like I did..My permanent implant was placed on 6-1-2012..my stitches removed ON 6-13-2012 BACK TO WORK ON 6-18...Priceless....good luck.

Hi Rrae
 

I may be off the beaten path, but I do think doctors are forcing people to get the SCS pump. For what ever reason I did not quallify. I still got the fusion however C3-7. Pain isn't so good, and I often wonder if this isn't going to come up again as I take pain medications. I don't want the pump in any case, not really. Without the meds however I would be in trouble I think. Not much choice is given it seems. If the doctors want you to have the SCS, then thats what the patient does. My spine is not holding up that good. I wonder indeed, if at some point, this issue will be presented. I hope that your decision with your doctor works out Rrae. This pain is no fun. I will pray that it does relieve your pain. ginnie:hug:

Another productive week with my Spinal Cord Stimulator
 

Another Friday in the books..That makes four weeks in a row Working. WHAT A LOAD OFF MY MIND. I was staring social security in the face 7 WEEKS AGO..Now I'm working..Playing with my grand kids and going fishing. Im an A type personality and at times I have been pushing my body a bit much..The medtronics people told me that my implants power will only last about 3 MONTHS...THan They will put in a re chargeable device...The last thing I need is another operation..Click my name and read my story..maybe it canhelp guide you with your decision to get a Spinal cord stimulated....Mine has 3 programs and I'm cranking them to 8.50 or better. THATS THE LOWEST SETTING THAT GIVES ME SOME RELIEF. Unfortionatly I still require pain medication at the end of my work day and at night. But without this implant...I was practicly bed ridden..I also lost about 12 pounds of belly just.moving around working...I'm now a stealth 174....I'm learning how to adjust to life with my implant...but its a Life..not a doped up immobile drain on my family...Thank you technology..And thank you Dr. DoOiro....NYC..if anyone has questions feel free to reply..I am AN OPEN BOOK....,GOOD LUCK.

Anthony,
 

As was posted in the 2nd post in this thread, discussions of SCS & Pain Pumps have their own forum:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum118.html

This thread is basically dead.

Doc

I had a spinal cord stimulator implant where the leads were placed at about the T4 level and the device was in my left hip. I have had numerous cervical and lumbar issues. Obviously where they put the implant it was to help my lumbar region. I had low back pain; peripheral neuropathy of the left leg from the knee down. I kept the device in for 5 years at which point it was removed. In the beginning it seemed to be effective but eventually it became less and less effective, thus they removed the device. It just was doing absolutely nothing for me at one point in time.

I didnt try have a SCS implant in the neck since I have Harrington rods and there was absolutely no room to place the device. They could have removed the rods but I was told it was too dangerous to remove the rods.

If you do have SCS done you will go thru a psych evaluation first, then a trial SCS. If that works then onto a permanent one. Just remember that if you have a SCS implant done you CAN NOT have an MRI done.