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Chronic back pain unable to walk longer than two minutes

Chronic Pain | Last Active: Mar 16 11:47pm | Replies (15)

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@flyjim

You can swim. You can get a massage, although the masseuse will work around the computer/battery.
No lead migration as of yet, from what my research suggests it’s very rare.
There are no physical limitations after approximately 2 weeks from surgery. I had the permanent implant on Nov. 5, 2024.
MRIs might be a problem but CAT scans are not an issue.
Also, I am a physical therapy maniac. I do an hour 5 days a week. Approximately 30min. concentrating on my core.
A strong core is one of the most important part of your body when suffering with back injuries. Remaining time is for upper body and lower body. I also do GENTLE yoga one day a week. Practicing that more days would be great and I love the results as far as flexibility and the mental health benefits it provides.
A spinal stimulator is pretty much done as a last resort. The health insurance companies have destroyed Americas health care. It’s a very expensive procedure. There is small percentage that it will not provide relief. In that regard they perform a quick minor surgery where they implant the electrodes but the computer/battery is contained in a fanny pack.
You have it 5 days to make sure it’s providing at least 50% relief or the Dr. will not implant the permanent one.
Hope this gives the info you need. I can’t tell you how many people have told me not to have any of my surgeries, injections or ablations. My response is that you telling me that means your pain is not acute enough or you haven’t been in intense pain long enough.
I’ve had pain since I was 25, I’m almost 70. I’m willing to do just about anything for any amount of relief.

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Replies to "You can swim. You can get a massage, although the masseuse will work around the computer/battery...."

Your response to people who criticize and judge you for seeking relief from intense chronic is wonderful! I'm going to borrow that response. I'm 83 and have had 4 lumbar surgeries and 3 cervical fusions, and can't remember not being in pain. I've started with a new neurosurgeon, just X-Rays so far to satisfy Medicare but sure an MRI is the next step. One step at a time.

Thank you so much for this helpful response. You are correct: unless one lives with chronic, intractable pain it's easy for them, and even medical professionals, to not understand what our pain is like.

@flyjim I had the Boston Stimulator surgery in January I got 95% pain relief after being miserable from a failed back surgery in 2023. Four days after having the permanent stimulator put in I accidentally bent too far ( I picked up a magazine off the floor ) and the leads moved. I finally got approved to have paddles instead of leads this time ( leads are known to migrate since they’re not anchored except by scar tissue) insurance hasn’t adjusted the $78,000 bill yet. I’m having to have a Neurosurgeon put the paddles in March 31 because of a larger cut in my back, my Physiatrist done the leads and stimulator. I have refused the stimulator thinking my original surgeon done something and is hiding it even my physiatrist agreed something was wrong and sent me to another surgeon which I seen 2 of them thanks to an ER visit they said wouldn’t do anything so I went to Mayo in Minnesota and was told I have an L5 screw loose ( in my back not my head lol ) they recommended a stimulator also.