Hello Everyone,
Here is my experience with SCS. I got approx 5 weeks of relief before all the terrible side effects started, according to Drs these were most definitely not due to the Stimulator.
I experienced spinal instability, which was terryfing, back spasms and jolting. This was very painful and affected my abdomen so badly I often couldn't eat for days afterwards. After 2 months I switched device off.
Eventually due pain from the battery pack i ended up on a liquid diet for approx 3 months...no Dr seemed to question this. My nerves became so badly affected I was basically couch bounded for the next 8 months. I had bizzare symptoms such as abdominal muscles feeling like micro tearing...the sensations in my spinal column , abdomen and legs became frightening. I could go on and on but will spare you. From March thru Aug. I was begging for removal. Last week it was removed by a surgeon , thankfully not a pain Dr., I had a small bleed and ended up having scar tissue removed, presumably from spinal canal...have not yet seen the surgeon for post results. I am now diagnosed with Poly-Neuralgia and my right leg/ foot is often dead/ numb.
Removal surgery was nothing like the inplanting procedure, which whilst very painful was sort of bearable. Removal surgery feels like major surgery, excruciatingly painful and in all honesty I am now very traumatized from the whole experience. One is told, these devices are total reversible, no harm done. This doesn't seem to be the case. I am sure from my experience most people will at the very least end up with scar tissue. I was NEVER warned of this and the whole procedure was very minimalized... I am distraught at having been mislead by Drs I thought we're trustworthy.
Pls think very carefully before inplanting these devices. Some people do well, sadly mine is a horror story. From now on I will be taking a slower holistic approach to my health, praying I can at least be as good as pre Stimulator. I had pain but I could at least function. The last 10 months were an immense struggle.