Spinal cord stimulator

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fljack1

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I had a PLIF in 2007. Before surgery I had Sciatica down right leg. After surgery down both legs. I have been slowly getting worse. I'm now on Norco every 6 hours and neurotin 1600mg dly. I use a walker and cannot sit, stand, or walk any great distance. I will be having a CT scan and xray tommorrow and an EMG next week. The Dr wants to implant a Spinal cord stimulator. Any of you who have this please tell me if it works for you.I need more info before I agree to this. thank you so much for your help.
 
That may be an option for you but I'd seek to have findings from MRI, CT and CT Myelogram (if that occurs) carefully reviewed. You want to be sure there is nothing other that can be done surgically. You may also want to get two opinions from 2 or more different orthopedic spine surgeons and/or neurosurgeons.

Are you in formal Pain Management? I didn't see you that you listed any Long Acting medications such as MS Contin, Opana, Kadian, etc.
 
Thank you for responding, I take Norco every 6 hours, Prozac 40mg dly and Neurontin 1600gm dly. I just had a CT scan and xray today and next week an EMG in both legs, He said he wanted to make sure I was fused and see what else mighr be going on before he inserts this
 
Maybe a trial of Long Acting meRAB in addition to the ones you are taking would help. It doesn't work for everyone but for me it keeps my pain at a "low roar" and I use Norco 1-3x per day when I have breakthrough pain.
 
Good morning. First let me give you my brief history:

1. Lurabar surgery in 1994 laminectomy for herniated disc;
2. Cervical surgery in 1995 for stenosis;
3. Luraber surgery in 1997 for "flatback syndrome"; Harrington RoRAB
4. Cervical surgery in 2000 for "Kyphosis" Harrington RoRAB implanted in Cervical and Thoracic area;
5. Spinal Coird Implant in 2005.

Current Problems:

1. Stenosis in lurabar region
2. Stenosis in cervical region

The spinal cord stimulator was implanted in my hip area with the wires going to the thoracic region. This was implanted to help with pain for the lurabar region. I have low back pain. I have nerve pain sciatica I assume on both sides yet left side is the worst. I have nurabness in my left leg from the knee down. Difficulty sitting at times; difficulty walking distances.

They could not do a stimulator in the cervical area due to all the Harrington roRAB that are in my neck. No room for implant.

Do I feel the stimulator is working? While it may help some of the underlying issues it does not help in dealing with all of my symptoms. I am usually in pain thru out the day to one degree or another. The stimulator just isnt enough to at least deal with my issues.

I don't know if it will help you or not in the long run. They usually try a temporary stimulator to see if MAY work on you.

It's tough to say from one case to the next if it will help at all in your case. It's worth looking into. Some cases Ive heard where people rave about how well it works. Others it doesnt.

See if there any other options and consider this as well. Hopefully you may find some relief. Good luck.
 
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