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Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group
Neuropathy | Last Active: 1 hour ago | Replies (6157)Comment receiving replies
Hi, @barbbie As Hank mentioned, I have a Burst DR spinal cord stimulator, implanted in 2017. It gave me 80% pain reduction. It was wonderful, after living for several years with increasingly brutal pain in my feet due to sfn. That's the good news. The first year it was great to be living with so much less pain.
Bad news. It started losing its effectiveness and I had to have it adjusted every 3 months, until the end of last year. I turned it off for the month of March and couldn't notice any change. I turned it back on in April.
Sort of good news. I had an appointment with a neurosurgeon, who ordered an MRI of my lower back and pelvis. She found significant spinal stenosis, and recommended surgery to relieve the pressure on my nerves, telling me that I should expect to have some pain relief. But there's no way to know how much relief until after surgery. I scheduled the surgery for the end of September, though I'd love to have it sooner. Because of the amount of yard work and misc. maintenance around our house and barn, I can't take time off to recover from the surgery. So, that's why I scheduled it so far in advance.
After we find out how much the back surgery helps, we could get back to adjusting the SCS so it starts doing its job. Fingers crossed. Prayers being prayed.
Jim
Replies to "Hi, @barbbie As Hank mentioned, I have a Burst DR spinal cord stimulator, implanted in 2017...."
Jim, so maybe your spinal stenosis is at the root of your SCS no longer working, that would be a great circumstance! I am definitely shooting prayers your way my friend, and I hope the SCS starts helping again after your surgery. Best, Hank
I will pray for a great outcome for your surgery. I prefer my pain management doc as I am allergic to so many medications, including MAC anesthesias. He has helped me significantly with radio frequency ablations. In some places I have had close to two years relief. I hate headaches and an injury to my neck gave me occipital headaches. It's been a year since I had the last rfas and I am still headache free. He has also done some on my lower back with success. Not sure how long this latest series have been doing their thing.. With the stimulator I have seven programs and a variety of pulsations. It can take adjustment to the stimulator to get the best for you. I just turned my feet one on. You mentioning that reminded me I have that available.. Feels pretty good while sitting!
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I expect Pain Medicine docs when I see them next week at Mayo will talk about a spinal cord stimulator and a peripheral nerve stimulator, but when they see the extent of my spinal arthritis, scoliosis, kyphosis, and stenosis, I'm not sure what I'll hear.