Hi All, I am a middle-aged male who has had 3 surgeries on my lower back, the last on a fusion from L4-S-1. I have endured chronic pain since the fusion 7 years ago and have tried all sorts of therapies to try to deal with it. I have been on various opiate medications to help deal with the pain, but they have a bad impact on my short-term memory and my job requires a lot of thinking so this has not been a great solution. I was recently referred to a pain clinic where they recommend that I try a spinal cord stimulator (after having passed assessments that indicate that I am a good candidate). I am a little nervous about this because the fusion was supposed to help and ended up being a big ordeal. Consequently, I am very interested in learning about other peoples experiences with the Spinal Cord stimulator, both good and bad so that I can make an informed decision about whether to proceed. So please share your experiences on how well it worked for you, how difficult the procedure was for you and what you were and were not able to do after the procedure.

Hi. I'm 49 and had a permanent spinal cord stimulator placed on Saturday. I had the trial done over a year ago. It did help with the trial. I went last December to have the SCS placed but the physician punctured my dura twice and I had 2 spinal cord leaks.
I have a new doctor that did this surgery. He flies around the country and trains other doctors how to put in the spinal cord stimulator. My advice is to have the trial done. See if it helps you. My was done at the doctor's office and I had it in for one week.
I know even with the permanent one that if it doesn't do what I want it to do, I can have it taken back out at anytime.
There are medicines that I have stopped taking just in the past three days. The pain medicine I have taken is more for the incision pain than anything else.
Please just ask if you have any other questions. Kim

Kim, are you still active here? I have a question on your csf leaks as I have one from the scs trial implant right now...

I am 20 and have a spinal cord stimulator. I have it for RSD pain, but it still is the same when it comes to pain! we all need to be pain free!! I had the trial for 4 days, and the complete appearance of my arm changed and i was able to touch it- which is HUGE when it comes to my disease. I have had it in for a year now, and havent had any problems with it. I have gotten off 4 medications after having it implanted. The advice i can give... DONT MOVE FOR THE FIRST 3 MONTHS. let that baby scar in as much as it could. I have mine in my cervical spine, and my aunt has one in her lumbar spine. my surgeon and dr that put it in wrote the chapter in the neurology text book about implanting them, and I spoke to 5 prior patients of his that had SCS implanted. IF you havent had yours implanted already, ask to speak to prior patients that have had them put in.

Hello there:

I have a question about the Spinal Cord Stimulator. Is this in replacement of pain medication?? I just started on a Fentynal patch yesterday (25mcg) and i have never heard of SCS before. If I did have one inserted, would I still need to have this Fentynal patch on? Or does it replace Narcotics for pain management?? thank you for patience. Im not very knowledgeable about all these pain management options. Mykinzie......

Alot depends on what type pain you are dealing with.
I too have used the Fentanyl patches for about a year now. I have nerve damage to both legs. The patches are wonderful for pain relief, however, in my case.....like with most opioids, my tolerance will continue to go up and I would need more and more of this powerful med.
The expense of the patches, plus the side effects and long-term effects (such as depleated hormones, etc) lead us to the option of getting this device.
When we have a chronic pain issue that surgery won't help, the Dr. may suggest the SCS. There is an evaluation to take to make sure we are a good candidate. If so, there is a trial period. If the trial proves effective, then the permanent stimulator is implanted.
The SCS is not a cure, nor does it get rid of the pain. It simply 'covers over' the pain with a soothing tingling sensation. Many people are able to back off the pain meds considerably. Breakthru meds are possibly still needed however.
There is a new forum specifically for SCS and pain pumps at the top of this forum under the 'stickies'.

Let me know if you have more questions - feel free to send me a PM or simply post on the SCS forum and you will get good feedback from others with these units.

Rae

Hannah
I'm a new member.I'm also considering getting the SCS. What did you mean by not moving for 3 months? Can you tell me about your limitations after you had the implant? I'm trying to decide on getting my 3 disc's fused and then getting the SCS. I have a lot of nerve pain it goes from my right leg down to my to foot. My first surgery caused a lot of scare tissue where my incision is. Now the scare tissue is wrapped around my nerve. The doctors say there is nothing they can do about the scare tissue. If they go in and clean it off my nerve it will grow back twice as bad. If you can give me any information I would appreciate it very much. Thank, staceyc

I had my SCS implanted in April 09. My stim works for my leg pain but my back hurts and it never hurted before. Since my implant I have had to file for disability because I find myself unable to do any kind of work. I have had multiple surgeries to move the generator because it would be working its way out of the skin. By no means am I skiny. I just fell and ripped my internal stiches so Im looking at another surgery. I will not have it removed yet I will just have it fixed and try again. My doctors keep hoping for the best but Im not as hopful any more. I just feel as I have too much time and money and pain to have it removed without giving it another chance. Hope you do well with what decision you make.