Stimwave user here: What's been your experience?

I have chronic pain in the toes of my right foot. I had two prior surgeries on the toes, one June 2016 and the other July 2018. I had some pain in the evening in the right foot about a year before the first surgery. I'm sorry that I ever had either surgery. The pain is a burning pain caused by surgical scar tissue and nerve damage from the surgeries. The surgeons will tell you that you may feel a numbness in the toes. They were wrong, it's a burning feeling with occasionally a shooting pain the the toes. After a few visits after the surgery the surgeons will tell you that they can't help you and that you need to see a pain management doctor. I've tried every therapy under the sun including a spinal cord stimulator made by Boston Scientific in 2020. It provided a slight reduction in pain only so I had it removed a few months later. I am now working with a different doctor who does SCS made by Abbott Industries. I had the 6 day trial about 6 weeks ago it gave 50% reduction during the day time hours and slightly less in the evening. My back has been acting up so I'm dealing with that before I decide to try the permanent SCS DRG (neuromodulation) made by Abbott.

I've tried a couple of CBD oils and Kratom with no reduction in my chronic pain. What is a good CBD oil?

@martyk Hello there. Thank you for responding to my post. I'm so sorry that you've been left with this awful nerve pain to live with. I know the pain and harassment it brings. What a journey you've had.

You replied to an old post of mine during a time that I was frustrated and grasping at straws, searching for answers. I have since found my answers and come to terms with with my diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy and Central Sensitization Syndrome (CSS), in addition I have been to Mayo Clinics Pain Rehabilitation Center (PRC) and learned about my conditions and how to manage them as best I can. PRC gave me a thorough understanding about CSS and chronic pain. I learned that many "solutions" are nothing but band aids that may help temporarily, but carry adverse side affects and upregulate our central nervous system more than it already is. Entry into the body via implants, injections and ablations, is a static solution. It stirs up the nervous system and creates cell damage and scar tissue. Sometimes if we continue to do the same things we get the same results.

@martyc, have you ever considered switching things up and taking a different approach to your pain? What self help approaches do you currently use?

I use Care by Design 1:1 cream on my feet and legs. It works well.

I'm trying PT. I may get an EMG nerve study on Tuesday if the insurance company will approve it Ice does help take the edge off the pain. I've tried many CBD creams with so far with no improvement.

Good for you for trying PT. I hope they help and give you proper stretching and strengthening exercises to do at home for future maintenance.

Will this be your first EMG/nerve conduction study?

No, I had one done in Florida about 5 years ago.

Is there something specific you are thinking might be found by another EMG?

Not sure.. A pain management doctor ordered it.

Thank you for your input. I have pain in my right toes from two prior surgeries. I also have lower back pain for many years and have tried many therapies to no avail. I am considering a SCS made by Abbott.