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Spinal Cord Stim. Trial

Posted by jonc59 @jonc59, May 14 9:39am

Hi:
I'm at day 3 of my trial (Saluda Evoke), & so far, it seems that I've replaced 1 pain (low back pain) with another (feet, ankles & shins that feel like they are on fire) - this is new.

Since having a 5-level (L2-S1) non-instrumented fusion in May 2018, I've had neuropathy in my feet - they felt like wearing wet socks, but not a huge amount of pain.

Since starting the trial, I've had INTENSE burning pain in my feet, but also seems that I have more feeling in them. Weird! I just got off the phone with the Saluda rep, who suggested lower placement of electrodes to more benefit my feet. I believe that the intensity of this foot burning pain may be receding a bit, but there's so much going-on right now that it's hard to tell.

I've been so obsessed with the pain in my feet that it's hard to judge whether its helping my lumbar issues.

Anyways, my question: Has anyone else experienced added pain in surprising "other" locations with their SCS trial? If yes, how did things finally resolve?

Thanks!!

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | May 15 10:22am

@jonc59 I had my trial of the Medtronic SCS back in 2018. It dropped my pain about 80%. The permanent implant dropped it by about 50%. Still enough to make my life almost normal.

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rockon79 | @rockon79 | May 17 10:36am

I have had two lumbar spinal surgeries in the past three years to repair various degenerations issues. I am now 80. I have experienced more achiness, numbness and tingling than pain. That constant and intense discomfort can be just as debilitating as pain, and as you mentioned-an obsession forms that makes it difficult to definitively determine what helps, what doesn't and to accurately form an opinion and explain it properly! I have learned that since the spinal cord is intricately involved, the protestations of its discomfort are so complicated that it can manifest in a myriad of traumas and symptoms that even defy the opinions of "experts". I can not comment on a "stim" since I have not tried that, but I can relate to much of what you write. Sometimes that can help and has a value, so that is why I responded.

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rockon79 | @rockon79 | May 18 11:17am
In reply to @heisenberg34 "@jonc59 I had my trial of the Medtronic SCS back in 2018. It dropped my pain..." + (show)
Profile picture for heisenberg34 @heisenberg34

@jonc59 I had my trial of the Medtronic SCS back in 2018. It dropped my pain about 80%. The permanent implant dropped it by about 50%. Still enough to make my life almost normal.

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@heisenberg34- I have suffered from chronic back pain for years. Although treatments and medications have reduced that terrible aching, my life is far from what you described as "almost normal". Having 50-60% of all that pain still wears me out physically and emotionally. My life style is negatively impacted by the need to lie down or other palliative measures when ever necessary during the day. I am thankful for the relief I do get, but unfortunately, the remaining pain is constant and its magnitude is such that it erodes the quality of life no matter how one defines it. I do accept my situation with appreciation of the pluses ( could be a lot worse), but I won't "sugar coat" my discomfort just to please the medical community I am dealing with.

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | May 19 7:50am
In reply to @rockon79 "@heisenberg34- I have suffered from chronic back pain for years. Although treatments and medications have reduced..." + (show)
Profile picture for rockon79 @rockon79

@heisenberg34- I have suffered from chronic back pain for years. Although treatments and medications have reduced that terrible aching, my life is far from what you described as "almost normal". Having 50-60% of all that pain still wears me out physically and emotionally. My life style is negatively impacted by the need to lie down or other palliative measures when ever necessary during the day. I am thankful for the relief I do get, but unfortunately, the remaining pain is constant and its magnitude is such that it erodes the quality of life no matter how one defines it. I do accept my situation with appreciation of the pluses ( could be a lot worse), but I won't "sugar coat" my discomfort just to please the medical community I am dealing with.

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@rockon79 I am truly sorry for the pain you have had to endure. I never had any such inkling of such a condition that existed. I did not have any empathy for those suffering this kind of pain. Now, I certainly have tremendous empathy for those suffering as I am, and you as well. My prayers go up up for you.

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