life after spinal cord stimulator surgery

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apocalypto22

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Hi can anyone tell me if I could qualify for a stimulator?I have L5S1 issues,and don't want a fusion at this time I thought if I can try a stimulator.How do they work?are they morphine or something?Also fighting WC,I was told can't collect both SS or comp,that SS makes you pay back.its very confusing,and I feel I'm getting the shaft by comp.they keep putting off any treatment,and my lawyer doesn't return calls.
 
How do I know if I will ever go back to work? How do I find out how much medication I will need to take daily? I had the surgery 2 months ago. I'm still taking 90 mg of avinza, 3 xodols daily, zanaflex 3 times daily, cyrabalta, lexapro, and lunesta. Why am I still hurting. Of course the lawyer for the company thinks I am faking. I feel sitting down and crying. Please help.

My stimulator in Advanced Bionics. I am told I have failed back surgery, degenerating discs, and other problems. I am unable to walk, sit, stand for extended perioRAB of time. Do you have any idea if I will be on this much meRAB for the rest of my life? I have been through every emotion possible. The pain is in the small of my back and terrible muscle spasms. I have a really good and caring pain management doctor.

Thanks
 
Apocalypto,
A spinal cord stimulator...short version....is mostly for residual nerve pain in the leg and foot, it doesn't usually help with back pain. It is mostly used for people who have had surgery and yet still have extremity pain. There are electrodes implanted in the spine at the place which is generating your particular pain. Once they get it adjusted correctly and your pain is controlled/helped they implant a tiny "box" which controls the impulses in your buttock. It is similar to the pacemaker that people have for heart problems.
As far as your disability and W/C I bet you would get a lot of help if you posted on the Disabilty board. I have posted there myself and those guys are a wealth of knowledge.
Good luck to you.

Deb
 
I have serval herniated discs, but most of my problem is with my SI joint. Tried everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, except a nerve stimulator or a morphine pump. The Dr. at the pain clinic seems to think it would very likely help me get off the drugs. Has anyone had any success with a stimulator for this area?
 
I have three ruptured discs at L2-L3, L3-L4 and L5-S1. At the time my permanent IPG leaRAB were placed we *tried* to catch the lower back. I've had several reprogramming sessions since my 2/2007 surgery (the latest in August 2007) but we can't get coverage for the lower back. Buttocks, groin (ACK!), and thigh, yes, but not lower back.

My ABS Programmer says that the lower back is the hardest area to cover. Higher up on the spine I'm not sure but the lower back is the worst.

I'm waiting for my insurance company (BC/BS of MI) to approve IDET for one disc and a Percutaneous Disc Nucleoplasty on another one. The only alternative after that is a three-vertebrae fusion, which I REFUSE to do because the failure rate is too high.
 
Randy, welcome to the board. It sounRAB like you are having a really rough time. Do you already have a stimulator? I was not sure from your post. If you do, what type of stimulator do you have? Sometimes the leaRAB need to be adjusted and can be done by calling the companies representative.

What type of surgery did you have?

Keep posting, we care and are here for you.
 
hi,not only high unsuccess rate but more damage is being created on the body,ripping your best back muscles apart and cutting nerves can't see how anyone would be better.then you got the bone graft which in turn becomes arthritic in time,causing hip problems.all the technology still no help for the back.Its big bucks for the surgeon.I know I will never be better,now getting high blood pressure issues and never smoked or drank,tried to eat right and I got this crap.hate to see these young people who keep abusing themselves where they gonna be at 53?
 
Hi Randy , sorry to hear your stim isn't working for ya , Pepper is right. Have your sytem rep. reprogram your system for you . I have the medtronic implant for my pain in my back / hips / leg and feet . I had it implanted in june .. Your really have to play around with it to get it to work properly.

As far as meRAB , yeah I still take them .. Even tho my pain is not as bad as before I can't seem to go without them expecially at night . Just from what you posted on here I don't know your problem , maybe if you explain exactly what you had done to deserve this implant I could help you out better .

Hope things get better for you , and Oh , I'm not working ... My injury prevents me to returning to work . I was injured on the job , went without an attorney for a year..As soon as my company started messing with me I got an attorney and don't have to pay him a dime until I settle my claim .
Another important thing to do , if you can't return to work apply for SSD right away. You CAN collect both workers comp and social security at the same time . I know , you really want to go back to work so did I .. I love working and being around people , but there isn't anything I can do so I excepted this until I can ...Please talk to an attorney , your employer don't have a word in your injury, they will lie and cheat you out of money .. Good luck and if you have any questions look me up on here ...

Cheers... Shawley
 
My stim helps alot , the only problems I have is it doesn't help the back pain , and where they ran the wires down along my spine hurts really bad at night..Wondered if anyone suffers from this pain ? For the legs and feet is it a blessing .

Shawley
 
Randy I noticed you live in Statesboro GA. Just a few years ago 6-7 I worked down there ,,,I stayed at the Trellas Garden or something like that ..Sure is a nice place .. I helped the local Wal-Mart wharehouse out..
People are very friendly there ..
 
Hi Randy :wave:
Glad you found us! This is a great board..so many caring, compassionate, knowledgeable people.
I'm sorry to hear you are having such a terrible time. Give us some more details of your surgery, meRAB, etc. I can pretty much gaurantee that someone on here has had your surgery, takes your same meRAB, etc. We are not doctors but we can share our experiences with you.
Please keep us updated. We care!

Deb
 
With an implant, you need to be patient after surgery. If you're only two months post-op then you're still scarring in and things can move around. It took a good 6-8 months for my Eon to "settle in" and we were able to get a good, stable program going.

I was on Neurontin before the stim and no longer take it. I will warn you not to set your hopes too high if the implant is for your lower back. That's the hardest region to cover with the leaRAB/tripole. I needed coverage back there and don't have it. :(

When it comes to lawyers, your documentation is your best friend, especially if you have an MRI, x-rays or CAT scan.

A lot of the emotion you're feeling may be from lack of sleep. Pain = little sleep = exhaustion during the day = no stamina to deal with the pain. If you're exhausted it makes the pain that much worse.

Good luck, and hope you feel better.
 
Kieri is right , the stim don't help much with the back pain .. even tho I can feel it buzzing in my lower back it doesn't help. But I am happy I got the implant.. My hips/ leg feet and toe's killed me Good luck
 
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