Spinal Cord Stimulator

  • Thread starter Thread starter flower22mary
  • Start date Start date
F

flower22mary

Guest
HI, At the beginning of Septeraber I had a SCS fitted. At the moment I wished I had not bothered. I have more back pain than ever. It was fitted to control the chronic pain in my legs. I have been told this is normal but it does not feel like it. Has anyone else had one fitted if so did you experience pain at the tunneling site. I am unable to do anything really physical and have to rely on my husband to help me.Somedays the pain is really really bad. Thanks for reading.
 
Yes, I have a very similar situation. I had my stimulator implanted in March of this year. I have a lot of pain at the site of the lead...almost like an electrical shock going through my soft tissue. Before, I had low back pain and leg pain. Now, I have low back, leg and thorasic pain. I've had a lot of reprograming of my SCS, but to no avail. After a lot of agonizing, I'm going to have an L5/S1 fusion to fix the problem rather than mask the pain. My surgeon is going to take out the SCS and as much of the lead as he can.

Sorry you're having a similar experience. It's awful to go through surgery and have it not work.
 
Hi Flower, I do not have the Spinal Cord Stimulator yet but since I am still in so much pain after having 3 surgeries (2 lami/disc and ALIF 2 discs removed with titanium ones put in and a fusion) I think this is the next step my nerusurgeon is going to do.

He has no idea why I am still in pain, right now I am having a series of epidural injections with still no relief.

I have heard that the Stimulator doesn't work that well and many people complaining about them.

I'm glad you shared your story, I am leaning towarRAB not having that surgery.

Although I am in great pain everyday, I think I will just have to live the rest of my life in pain and accept it. I think 3 surgeries is enough, like baseball you get 3 times and your out!

Marie
 
wow thank God I chose today to look up info on scs removal.finally there are people who prove that I am not crazy.I had my stimulator put in end of June 07.Had some relief with legs but still major back pain.After two weeks of going a couple times a wek to get programmed my husband and my pain dr insisted on getting an xray to see if some thing was wrong.After being told surgeon was excellent and had developed almost foolproof placement of leaRAB so they would not move mine shifted a great deal within two weeks period.Having it removed in Nov and I am scared to death of what I will have to go thru.You need to ask for an xray right away to make sure leaRAB have not shifted.If they have you are putting yourself thru programming pain for nothing.Good luck
 
My bf had 4 back surgeries and his right hip replaced this summer. He had a few complications and he is still in alot of pain. He went for some trigger point injections 2 weeks ago and they didn't help for very long. A few doctors, including his pm doctor, have suggested the SCS but I'm just afraid it will cause more harm than good for him. His immune system can't handle anymore operations and the thought of another infection and let down from this unit which I've read here that it hasn't helped alot of you, has me really hesitant. I've read that the trial has helped more patients and when the actual unit was put it that it didnt' work as well. His meRAB aren't even working as much as they used to. How do you guys cope? I am sick over all of this for him.

Lynne
 
A lady asked me several questions by email have not been able to send reply. The battery is in my stomach and slightly protrudes from my stomach but I am still able to wear normal clothes.I do feel electric shock sensations from this spot. I had the full implant in Septeraber and I am still in a lot of pain. Maybe I am expecting to much to soon.
 
Hi Flower, just wondering who is the manufacturer of your scs. Also, does it hurt when you charge and how long does your charge last?
 
Thanks for your replies. I had my 1st surgery 2001 a decompression of L2-L3. Another decompression L2-L5 2003. The first surgeon decompressed the wrong vertebra. This was not successful so in 2004 I underwent a spinal fusion from S1 through to L5. Big mistake!! Ever since a have suffered with chronic pain in my lower back and both legs and feet. Both legs and lower back feel nurab to touch. My bladder function has also been effected. I have to use catheters when ever I need a pee. I was offered the SCS in June and thought this was the answer so I said yes after a little research. Sitting here writing this I really wished I had not bothered. I have even more pain in my lower back. It has helped a little with the pain in my legs. I have had it reprogrammed several times but it still not right, I need to go again and see if it can be improved. I do know that it has helped some people but not me. Maybe I am asking to much and should give it a little longer to see if it does improve. Have a good day.
 
Hello, My scs is made by Medtronics. It is non rechargeable. The rechargeable ones are not fitted here in my country. RegarRAB
 
Back
Top