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Spinal Cord Stimulator Removal
Chronic Pain | Last Active: Nov 22 8:09am | Replies (174)Comment receiving replies
I had the nerve spine stimulator for 5 years. It was never on because it caused me more pain. Last year it was removed and the surgeon literally almost killed me. He tore my spinal cord in 2 places and tore the pain pump he implanted 6 months prior. He told me 3 times he was wipping his hands of me cause he didnt know what was wrong with me. I had 3 large lumps on my spine that looked like baseballs. It took him 1 month to refer me to another surgeon who saved my life. He took 1 look at me and knew i was leaking mass amounts of spinal fluid. He did a emergency surgery and thats when he found the tear in the pain pump too. Last summer was a nightmare for me and now im in very severe back pain all the time. The crazy thing is no doctor is controlling my pain. My body feels like its dying from all the pain im forced to suffer through. My story is very long of what has happened to me. Nobody should get that nerve spine stimulator. Its very dangerous. Could cost you your life like me.
Replies to "I had the nerve spine stimulator for 5 years. It was never on because it caused..."
My husband was in a car wreck back in '99 and fractured his spine in 3 places. Rods and pedicle screws were put in, but they kept coming loose and had to be replaced. At that time, they put in what they told us was a battery to stimulate the bone. At some point, the screws came loose again, and he developed severe back pain and huge basketball-sized squishy lumps on his back. He saw orthopedic surgeons who took samples of the fluid inside and they told him they had no idea what it was. He went on like this for almost 10 years. Finally, a doctor referred him to a Neurosurgeon who took one look and said he needed surgery immediately. The next day he was in surgery and after the surgeon said he couldn't figure out how my husband was still alive. All of the hardware was removed, and the battery was leaking. He had to have bone grafts and tissue grafts. He had MRSA, Sepsis, Septic Shock, and Osteomyelitis. He was hospitalized for 3 weeks as they weren't sure he would make it.
He still has pain and all they were giving him was tramadol. He finally had it out with them and they ordered oxycodone. But even that just takes the edge off.
I would never ever recommend those stimulators. As you said, it can cost you your life.
Oh Dear Hazel,
What a HORROR! I am so devastated for you. I have suffered horrendously thru my SCS, removed 2 weeks ago and count myself lucky I didn't get paralysis....I have had almost 11 months now 'sitting' due increased pain from device. Im sure like me you feel Violated. Your story is absolutely terrible...pain meds dont help me too much but I do understand the horrible sensations of a heightened nervous system. I get terribly frightening flare ups. Have you heard of Joe Dispenza and meditations...its hard to grasp but I researched it thoroughly and its helpful.
I personally am contacting the FDA to report my negative experiences. I do hope somehow you can feel better, find some small joy in life...im sure anyone here is always ready to offer a shoulder if you need. We trust Drs too much. Prayers to you for deep healing. Im so sorry this happened.
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I am sorry you had to go through all that. No one should have to endure all that. Don’t become bitter. Keep trying to find someone who work with you in order to find some kind of relief. Blessings to you.