Spinal Chord Stimulator

Calfrope

Calfrope

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Joined
Feb 18, 2015
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Has anyone had a positive experience from having a spinal chord stimulator implanted?  I got one in early Jan 2014 for lumbar disk/sciatica prob's, and I have not been pleased with the results.  Prior to getting it done however, I'd been led to believe (mainly by my pain mgt Doc) that it would change my life...reduce pain 50% or more.  I went thru the one-week trial and the doc asked if my pain was reduced by at least 30% and I responded in the affirmative, so I got the permanent implant...but during the trial I was taking some heavy PK's, so it wasn't a 'genuine' test.  Anyway, I'm just wondering if it actually works for anyone else out there (i.e. 50% or greater pain releif).  Thanks.  

 
Hi. Im glad you posted this because my dr is trying to get one approved for me and hes saying the exact same thing. Im really uneasy about having something implanted in my spine but with the trial before they permanently implant it I figured its worth a shot. Ill be curious to see what others have to say also.

 
Just a quick follow-up...something else I didn't fully appreciate about the permanent implant (till it was done), was that the controller is about the size of a hockey puck (ok just a little smaller than that) but it protrudes from my hip, and is somewhat visible when wearing a tucked-in shirt...which SUCKS. Ok, I'm done with my rant now.

 
My Doc's trying to push it... very slightly.. I think he knows I'm not gonna let em cut me for anything again yet... in the US it's the "new wave" of medicine.. 1st the hook ya then try to pawn off expensive procedures that do nothing.. i.e. the damned Flouroscopic shots.. I swear if I HADN'T gotten em, my doc woulda cut me off.. then as soon as I did tell him they didn't help much... boom 1st UA ever in 4yrs.. tryin to kick but.. IDK if that's possible either? My PcP I've had for over 20yrs doesn't think it would ever be... same as he doesn't think I'll be off beans anytime.. Some doc's are more positive some more realist. Life like this isn't life.. least here. I already got rods, plates and screws implanted in my spine.. I don't want more

 
Halleluah brother...I've got the rods & screws myself.  I truly think my pain mgt doc gets a substantial kick-back from Boston Scientific (manufacturer of my implant equipment).  The procedure cost over $120k, of which my insurance company paid most of the bill, but this is big $$$ business for these guys.  I don't want to knock it down too much, as I have heard the SCS is really effective for some people and conditions, but if I could go back I wouldn't do it again.   Anyway, I've hit my limit on f'ing spine surgeries, procedures, etc.  Meds are the way to go for me!

 
I'm still pretty young so I have tried to get, everything I read about and my docs like that I read so much but thing is.. I asked for a mor-feen pump and "no that's too dangerous" yet required so much less medicine.. and now this is supposed to be safer? Remember I read everything, haha! Dr's.. gotta love em for their help or hate em for their greed.. luckily mine aren't greedy and just wanna see me better. Case and point got cut of my alps by my insurance, told my PCP who writes my kpins, he had forgotten I was on them but w/ in a week I had them back.. he did NOT forget I had a seizure when they tried to do it before.
W/ mine I've only had a triple fusion, "only" ha! But they wanna rip it out, as it's now part of me, and put a bigger one in.. I told my Dr's.. Naw I'd miss the whole BHIC reunion this summer and it's their 20th anniversary. Had I said Avett's or Langhorne Slim and the Law.. he'd have said, "you've seen those guys over 60x's each.. it won't hurt" The one understands when I say "But yes it WOULD just seeing Sean(Slim) Smile at me and be like "How have you BEEN my brother it's been too long" is enough to make my month.." got 3 shows coming up in April.. I miss those guys.. he's friends w/ many local artists, he's a very very smart man, and believes in fate.. that we didn't meet for no reason, there was one.. and he never pressures me to go down but.. I DO like having my soul back.. I didn't realize how much I was missing til I got to where I am. Sooo many concerts I traveled for.. yet only have glimpses of remembrance.. luckily I know the cats who video these bands shows, so I can relive them, cuz really.. when the music is so good, and the artist pours his/her soul out for everyone in the room, I tend to close my eyes and dance, cuz I never know which COULD be the last one I can really dance at(and I pay for it for a week after but those moments are so precious anymore after 77 Dead shows by 19, 1/2 a lifetime later, just thankful I still can groove)

 
Calfrope said:
Has anyone had a positive experience from having a spinal chord stimulator implanted?  I got one in early Jan 2014 for lumbar disk/sciatica prob's, and I have not been pleased with the results.  Prior to getting it done however, I'd been led to believe (mainly by my pain mgt Doc) that it would change my life...reduce pain 50% or more.  I went thru the one-week trial and the doc asked if my pain was reduced by at least 30% and I responded in the affirmative, so I got the permanent implant...but during the trial I was taking some heavy PK's, so it wasn't a 'genuine' test.  Anyway, I'm just wondering if it actually works for anyone else out there (i.e. 50% or greater pain releif).  Thanks.  
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I've got an appointment for the 3rd Aug and Im really nervous about anything being implanted but if it takes me out of pain I'll do it. Have cages at L4-5 and now having problems @ S1.If anyones had it how much pain did It eliminate.Thank you!!!

 
Pardon my OT post, but @hurtinforcertain, what a great name, although I am sorry you are hurtin'.

 
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