NeuroTalk Support Groups - Spinal Cord Stimulator/Pain Pump Information

NeuroTalk Support Groups (https://www.neurotalk.org/)

- Spinal Disorders & Back Pain (https://www.neurotalk.org/spinal-disorders-and-back-pain/)

- - Spinal Cord Stimulator/Pain Pump Information (https://www.neurotalk.org/spinal-disorders-and-back-pain/114113-spinal-cord-stimulator-pain-pump-information.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thekat (Post 964975)

Thanks for this info....my mom has severe spinal stenosis and I am so happy there are new alternate aids for back pain

I am sorry your mum is in pain, I hope that she can find some sort of relief soon,and I'm glad you have found something which you can now research and fingers crossed it leads to the relief she has been searching for. I know how hard life can be in pain and I'm glad I have found this site, because some of the information people have posted on here really helps. THANKS EVERYONE :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::

Just received Spinal Stimulator Implant

Hello, I'm new to here. I have had 7 surgeries with Reconstruction to many parts of my body since 2003. I was in a OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) IED Humvee acident on 5/13/2003. I ended up having 2 broken wrist, Rt broken hand, Crushed Rt lower extremity(had 8 pins in foot/2 srews in each side of ankle/steel rod lower leg), Shattered left knee from shrpnl, Rt elbow very hyber extented broken (pinkie touched back of rt shoulder), both shoulders dislocated, broken rt collar bone, broken nose, broken ribs, and finally multiple crushed disc. Also Military lost all of my entire military career file (June 1985 to when I got hurt 2003). I guess that it. I've had almost every pain medications availible. Dilaudid and morphine is just like taking a tylonel for me.
Anyways, well I just had a Spinal Stimulator implant surgery last month Feb 2013. It was the worst pain I every felt the next day. I'm very tolerant to pain. But this surgery hurted me the most. I could'nt caugh nor move my upper and lower extremities. Just before I left the post op to come home. I had turned on the Implant. I only had felt it working in my left back rib area. I had asked is that is normal. The assured me that I will feel more as time goes on. I had a post 2 weeks appt where I had an Hematoma where the implant was installed. The dr took 17 cc's of fluid out of the hematoma. Then 3 days later I had to go into my local ER and have them check on the hematome. Which came back. The ER dr took 22 cc's out. Now a few days ago I went in to my Spine Doc to checked out my hematoma and get my implant programmed. When I went in for this appt I had went to my medical dr ahead of time for some Xrays. I brought the Xrays in to the spine doc and they did try to program the implant. A half hour went by without them trying to program thi thing. They finally looked at my xrays and it turned out that the Electrodes had moved of the spine. So now after all this I have to get a redo surgery. Ast the old sying "No pain no gain". Yeah right! I'm just o tired of the pain. Not to mention I have liver disease due to meds and also Diabetes. Sucks! Sorry so long I just had to vent! Plus still fighting the govt for my military benifits, retirement, disbility. They owe me almost 10yr of backpay. :confused: :mad:

Quote:

Originally Posted by popeye316th (Post 966002)

:eek:WOW to say you have been through it would be an understatement !! I am grateful for your response and for giving me so much personal detail and want to thank you for giving me an insight as to what can happen. I have been researching for a while now and I am really un-sure as to wether or not to go ahead with it:confused:whilst I have been waiting I have had a breakdown. I have had so much going on lately that I just couldn't take it anymore and I just snapped. I feel that now is not the right time to go ahead with it, also I don't think I would be allowed to. I have been through all the trials and tests and passed with flying colours but now things are a different story. I believe that things happen for a reason and possibly that my breakdown has meant me putting the implant of the SCS on hold or maybe even "off" for good reason. Some of the "horror" stories I have been reading about are quite scary!! But I am glad that I have had the opportunity to research. So once again thank you and I do hope things improve for you very soon. :winky::Thanx:

I had a scs implant on Jan 1,2013 it has been and up and down battle with me
I have had to have it reprogram several times and its still not working right
Still have alot of pain with this it worked good the first month so not sure what is going on with it I have another appt with company that put it in so
I guess we will go from there and I will let you know what happens

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rrae (Post 619254)

Hello
I am wondering if there are many here who have interest in these implantable units for chronic pain?
It seems there are more and more folks coming to the board looking for info on these units. For some reason, especially lately, it seems doctors are practically forcing people to get these units.
I am scheduled to get the SCS later this month.
I usually post on the RSD forum, as there are quite a few folks there with the stimulators and/or pain pumps.

We have put in a request to open a new forum or subforum specifically for discussion on this topic.

Are there many here on the Spinal and Back Pain forum who would be interested in having this forum? If so, would you be willing to share your stories and experiences for the benefit of those seeking out this information.

Reason for asking, there are SCS posts scattered throughout a few other forums and it would be very convenient to have a forum that people could go to without having to do a 'search' on all the other forums.

People are very hungry for info on this!
Thank you all

Rae

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rrae (Post 619254)

Yes, please have a spinal stimulator forum. I have been referred for the St. Jude stimulator. Don't like what I'm finding out about the subject. Dolores

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janeydon (Post 948988)

Hi I'm new to this so please forgive me if I've posted in the wrong place. I'm having a spinal cord stimulator implanted in march and I am a bit unsure if I should go through with it. I have failed back surgery syndrome from two michrodiscectomys , I have been on a lot of different pain medication combinations and at the moment I am taking 6 x 50 tramadol 8 paracetamol and 600 pregabalin and 20 amatriptaline daily which only just takes the edge of my pain. I have been on a 16 day pain management program which I found very helpful but I still suffer with a lot of sciatic pain in mostly my left leg but also my right, and also lower back pain. I am 40 in march of this year and I feel I can't continue on the amount of pain meds I take for the rest of my life. I had the SCS trial in dec 12 and it was successful it was a bit of a strange sensation but one which I could learn to live with, the best part was the fact that I had a full 6 hours sleep without being woke up in pain. I have read some information on the SCS implant but I am worried about complications etc and I would be grateful if there is anybody who can tell me of their experiences with it, like the op itself, the recovery period, the battery life and anything else you feel would help me with my decision. I live in lancashire England. Thank you for reading my post I appreciate any replies Janeydon

Does anybody know of the long-term results of the spinal stimulators? Anbody who has had one in with success for over 2 years, 5 years, 10 years? I'm assuming that once the doctor's implant it, it's supposedly in for the rest of your life, but unfortunately, I haven't read anything about this. Their studies are for two years and that is nothing!

We do have a SCS & pain pumps as a sub forum under
Medications & Treatments
(For discussion about medications and treatments for any disease or health condition, including issues of medication toxicity.)
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum72.html
Sub-Forums: SCS & Pain Pumps
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum118.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolores123 (Post 992519)

Welcome! :hug:
It's good that you are doing a lot of checking on this. Come on over to the SCS forum in which Jo*mar gave the link. You'll get TONS of great info (both positive and not so positive) I've had mine 3 yrs now and love what it has done for my RSD/neuropathy in both legs.
The only issue I'm having is back spasms. for some reason the muscles in my back are very maaad. I suspect it's because of a migrated lead that was removed 6 months after the implant.

See ya at the forum!
Again, here's the link, just click on it:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...ysprune=&f=118

Start a new thread when you get there. The 'New Thread' button is in the upper left corner of the screen..
Holler if you have questions

Caring,
Rhonda
:grouphug:

Lead Replacement to paddles

Hi I am new, My original leads have slipped, all that gets stimulated is the bottom of my butt now. They are planning to replace with paddle leads. Of course the surgeon made it sound like I would be up doing my weekend market in just no time. I do get excellent drug coverage, and my husband makes sure that if needed all I have to do is sit and smile while I sell my lotions and soaps. I want to know am I going to even be able to do that? Three more invasive incisions, but have had the rodeo before. . Thanks Kristina

Welcome!

I wish doctors would just do the paddles in the first place. there are SO many revisions being done because the percutaneous leads just don't seem to hold worth a hoot!
You'll be happy with the paddles I'm sure. they are much more secure.
Hopefully you'll have the stimulation back where it needs to be soon.

Come on over to the SCS forum! Here's the link to take you there:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...ysprune=&f=118

You'll get a lot more feedback there!

It's great to meet you!
Rae
:grouphug: