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Thinking about stimulator or pain pump for chronic lumbar pain
Chronic Pain | Last Active: Nov 28, 2025 | Replies (57)Comment receiving replies
I appreciate your response. I'm still very uncertain about what to do. I get really anxious thinking about the pain never getting better or getting worse. I had this horrible nightmare recently where I'm stuck in a coma after an accident and in a hospital bed and not able to move to relieve the pain in my back. It really freaks me out to even think about the dream. I really worry about the pain continuing to get worse as I get older as it seems to have increased over time. I wish the dr. had warned me about all the problems a fusion can cause. I thought it would be like when I had a hernia repair where it fixed the problem and I've had literally zero problems ever since. Maybe it's my fault for not asking more questions. I was only 21 at the time and I had so little experience to draw upon. Now I'm 40 and the thought of more surgery really scares me but the drs I've seen make it sound like it's my only option. That or opioids and given how difficult it's been for me to reduce or stop them in the past that's an equally terrifying thought. They did help with pain though. Maybe I'll just do the trials and hope that they make a noticeable reduction in the pain. I also worry that it will help at first but then stop over time.
Replies to "I appreciate your response. I'm still very uncertain about what to do. I get really anxious..."
I'm 78 now, I will have my third pump installed in March. I have nothing but praise for it. When you are on the pump relief is equal to 300th the med you would need. They consider me drug dependent but not addicted. Since 2012, I have only had 3 small increases in the amount of drugs delivered to my body. I struggled with the drug part but by then my family doctor had a lot of fear to write for 6 Percocet's a day. My neurosurgeon said he has people come to him taking triple that amount. I went with the morphine pump after trials and have been very pleased, without it I couldn't get out of bed. I also envy patients that get one series of shots and are great forever, but my case is much more severe, and I had to come to terms with that, it is hard. Like most of us I had tried all kinds of treatments that didn't even touch it. I never regret all the surgeries (seven areas or joint replacements) that I did. I focus on moving forward, what if nothing helped you? At least this is worth a try isn't it? Good Luck I hope you can be as pain free as possible.
@mai have had the Abbott Prodigy in the Lumbar for about 4 1/2 years ands I am most happy with it. It may not work for you. I write this because you NEED and MUST do your research. Why? Because sometime when you go into a pain management doctor, he/she may begin pushing one Brand and Model. You are the patient and you should make the choice. However, if that doctor tells you that it is not for you, then follow his guidelines. May God give wisdom to you and the doctor.
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@mattman1022 I've had a Nevro SCS for about 8 years. I'm on my 2nd one, the HFX. My experience and those of others are chronicled on this website. There is a LOT of good information for you.