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Anyone tried Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain?

Neuropathy | Last Active: Jan 31 9:35pm | Replies (410)

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@jimhd

@martyk The SCS is Abbott, though at the time it was St. Jude. The DRG stimulator was also Abbott. After 4 days, the dressing worked loose, exposing the surgical site, so I called the doctor, and he told me to meet him at the orthopedic surgery center as soon as I could get there. This was on a Sunday morning. After some discussion, he removed the wires. We decided that since I wasn't feeling any effect after 4 days, I wasn't likely to benefit from it. The Abbott rep was there, as well, and he restarted the SCS, made adjustments, and the SCS started to give me around 25% pain relief. He adjusted it again a month later, and I need to see him again.

Tonight, I'm having trouble with anxiety. Dealing with chronic pain at the same time as mental health issues is sometimes difficult. As a rule, the depression and anxiety and PTSD are fairly stable, but when pain goes up, my mental health issues are affected. Anxiety and panic attacks tend to surface at nighttime. Maybe you have found dual diagnoses to be a challenge, as well. It's pretty common to have depression along with chronic pain. They're like cousins. I was being treated for depression, etc., for several years before neuropathy pain started. It kind of set me back mentally.

Sorry for rambling on.

Where is the pain you're targeting? Stimulators are used for all kinds of pain, and they work great for some people. I hope you have success with whatever you decide to do next.

Jim

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Replies to "@martyk The SCS is Abbott, though at the time it was St. Jude. The DRG stimulator..."

My pain is in my right for. I had two surgeries on my toes 5 1/2 and 3 1/2 years ago. So far conventional therapies have not worked. Tried a SCS by Boston Scientific about 2 years ago. I only got 25% relief an d I didn't like the parathesia that device generated. Not painful but annoying. I had it removed after 2 months. Perhaps I should have gave it more time. I had the DRG trial about 3 months ago. Not sure if I should get a permanent one installed. The rep keeps calling me. My foot is very sore.

My pain is in the toes of my right. I had 2 surgeries there and they didn't heal right. I thought you said the surgeon removed the wires after 4 days. How was the rep able to turn it on after the wires were removed?

I am scheduled to get one of those things & now I am getting nervous?
Do you think it is worth the risk & pain that you have to go through?
Having 2 nd thoughts & want opinions.
I have the The idiopid peripheral neuropathy in my feet & legs all the way to my thighs.
I am a very anxious person along with OCD & a few other illnesses.
Does anyone know the pro's & con's.
I would appreciate a feed back.
Very worried.
Thanks
Tigreyes