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Medtronics Spinal Cord Stimulators: Intellis
I'm set to get the Medtronic Intellis Pro but I'm nervous because of people stating that it doesn't help, gets dislodged, they don't understand how to use it, etc. I have fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, and spinal radiculopathy. I also have MS. I get thrown between Pain Medicine Specialist, Orthopedic Surgeons, Neurology, and Family Medicine. My back negatively impacts my legs to the point that it's unnerving and makes me want to pull my hair out. Pain meds don't last long in my system and I think I've become immune to them since I've been on them so long. It seems they just want to have me do this Spinal Cord Stimulator: Intellis Pro by Medtronics just to get me out of the way. I've already had major back surgery and I need another one but since the first one has caused me so many issues, I dare not! Can anyone tell me your take on this particular SCS? I'm interested in who has or has had the Medtronics ones.
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@heisenberg34 so if the permanent pain hasn't worked in spite of several increases in the medicine are you still trying to get a benefit from it? You're not sure the oral meds are helping? How would you rate your pain with everything you've told me?
@caregeraci15 Thanks for your response. I am at the end of my rope with this pain pump. My pain has stayed at a steady 8 for the past three years despite getting more increases than I can remember. At one point I had it increased to a point that I started having fits of nausea and vomiting. So, I had to have the pump dialed back. I believe that I will get it removed since it's doing nothing to help. what's really crazy is that one day last October I had given myself a bolus(increase) and, about 30 minutes later, nearly almost all my pain disappeared. Looks like my pain is here to stay.
@ediesel472
Hello again,
The claim is that the different brands operate on different frequencies of stimulation so the implant rep says.
Yes, I had mine removed 3 years ago. I would certainly do the trial!
The least I would do is call Medtronic AND Nevro for an appt for a fresh demonstration of their devices. Don't let them put you off another day !!
Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease😀
GOOD LUCK, and DON'T GIVE IN !!
Get a copy or 2 of your recent MRI, keep 1 and heck yea do some doctor shopping, remember, some docs got C's in med school and some got As !!
Load a copy of your MRI onto your home computer, then find a spine dermatome (map) and compare where your pain is highest and the dermatome will show you where the disc or facet joint Is causing your grief.
My pain control,,,, Opiate pain meds, anti-inflammatory meds, cannabis, and as much PT as I can tolerate. I am blessed to have a very supportive wife that helps me almost constantly.
Fred
@heisenberg34 I'm sorry your pain pump hasn't helped you with your pain. Three years at an 8 I know is frustrating but when my pain is that high and that happen one to two hours before I'm due to take my pain meds. I take Oxycodone 5mg Q6H and Tizanidine with it. They take the edge off and sometimes my pain drops to a 2 but it returns before it's time to take my meds. You sound defeated when you say your pain is here to stay and I feel bad for you. Do the oral meds you take help? What do you take if I may ask. I find that when I'm anxious the pain is worse and when I'm in pain my anxiety is worse. Nobody I've seen for my pain has been able to diagnose the cause. It feels muscular but I can't be sure.
@caregeraci15 If they can’t find a cause, they conveniently call it “idiopathic”. I just started taking a CBD/THC gummy. It really helps me sleep through the night. My newest problem is the frequent bouts of vomiting. It hits me from out of nowhere. More joy…,not.
@heisenberg34 do the gummies help with your pain? Do you take an opioid?
@caregeraci15 ...Hi, sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I'll start with the prescribed pain meds I currently take.....tramadol (synthetic opioid) 50 mg, every 6 hrs.; pregabalin (lyrica) 200 mg. split into 3 doses through out day; methocarbamol (robaxin) 750 mg taken 2x at night only as it is a muscle relaxant; zolpidem (ambien) 10 mg, split into 2 doses at night (this, along with the methocarbamol is the only way I get to sleep). I never took opioids due to an allergic response to them. One over the counter supplement I take is ALA-alpha lipoic acid, it helps me with neuropathy pain, 1200 mg per day, split into doses every 6 hrs. I also apply a lotion called Cool Sombra, it helps reduce some of the burning at least temporarily.
My neuropathy pain is from the waist down, thru buttocks, and down both legs all the way to both feet. It's a 24/7 burning, achy, prickly pain, that makes it hard to sit, stand or lay down, there's no ''position of comfort''. Anytime my neuropathies are touched/compressed, they are not happy, it makes it hard to wear shoes, sox, long pants, etc. All my senses are amplified, due to the length of time I've had chronic pain....since March 2015. This is due to an overwhelmed, reactive brain that never gets REST. Another thing that contributes to the brain's reactivity is called ''central sensitization''....research it, it's worth a read!
My doctors and insurance said a trial of SCS was mandatory, due to the expense. I trialed nevro (did nothing) and boston scientific...I didn't think it was doing anything, but when they took it out, I noticed my pain going up. My pain prior to SCS was to the point that I didn't want to live, but suicide was not an option for me). I thought I would lose my mind. So, the SCS reduced the pain maybe 30-35%, not the 50% I'd hoped for. But to be honest, how does one really access the % of pain!? So, I'm okay with having done the scs and a peripheral implant (for buttock pain), because ANY reduction of pain must be done to keep your sanity. Pain changed my life, the implants didn't. I had to give up the outdoor lifestyle I cherished...backpacking, hiking, camping, biking, kayaking.....it's disappointing. I don't go to restaurants, social events, concerts, movies, etc., because it's too painful to sit. When I do sit, I sit on ice to numb the pain. And due to my age, 74, I have noticed that my L3-4 fusion is painful above and below the vertebrae that were fused and the laminectomy done on the T 9-10 vertebrae is painful, not allowing for much bending over...it's basically a ''failing spine'' due to trauma and age, a domino affect. I won't have the SCS or peripheral implants taken out, because that would inflict more trauma on the already tick off spine and neuropathies. It's a case of really not having ''good days'', it's just ''less bad'' days at this point in my journey.
Also, research the topic ''pain brain'' or ''how does chronic pain affect your brain''. A pain brain contributes to imbalance issues, memory loss, anxiety, etc.
What do I avoid at this point....don't bend over, this triggers more pain for me (I'm a gardener, so it's hard not to bend). Avoid sugar like the plague, it lights up my neuropathies big time. Avoid stress (yeah right)...if you don't feel like hosting, then don't host a party, whatever. Avoid wearing clothing that compress your nerves and cut off circulation!!!
What do I do to keep my sanity? I go on a WALK daily, if at all possible. I have to get out in the nature that I love, it's calming, I see ppl on our walking path that have become friends (a little community). I do light weight lifting, alternating upper extremities with lower extremities. You HAVE to keep your strength up, keep your joints moving, get your blood circulating around those angry nerves. Hug on your loved ones and your fur babies!!!
So, I hope I touched on your questions. It IS a tough decision to get any transplant, spinal cord or peripheral, but you get to the point that you have to try something. I'm really disappointed that big pharma hasn't come up with any NEW and IMPROVED drugs to combat pain...get that research done guys. God bless you!