Anyone tried Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain?

He adjusted the spinal cord stimulator, which wasn't removed prior to the DRG stimulator trial.

The pain was in my back, legs pelvis and hips.

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

Does the trial hurt & how does it work?
What are the pros & cons?

pe od SCS (spinal cord stimulator) are you thinking about, Abbott, Boston Scientific, Nevro, Stimwave?

It is the Boston Scientific. Do you know anything about it? This is all new to me & I am scared. Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks
Tigreyes

I have chronic pain in my toes of my right foot from surgical scar tissue and nerve damage from 2 prior surgeries. during the trial period, which lasts 5 to 7 day trial period before they insert the battery (generator) in your body. They say if you get 50% relief wth the trial, you should get a permanent one installed. I'm not sure if I got 50% but the doctor and the Boston Scientific representative kind of convinced me to get the permanent one. I think I got only 25% relief. Plus with Boston Scientific you have a little parathesia that bothered me. After 2 months I had the permanent removed. Not a big deal. Perhaps in hind sight I should have gave it more time. With Boston Scientific you have to charge the battery every day for about 30 minutes. There are other spinal cord stimulators, i,e. Abbott, Nevro and Stimwave. My problem was in my foot (toes) maybe Boston Scientific is not the best for chronic pain in the feet. Perhaps you should interview other doctor's who do the other devices. Ask to talk to a few of their patients who had SCS installed at least 6 months ago. Some doctor's will give you phone numbers to talk to them to see how their experience was. I'm interviewing other doctors before I make my next move. Good luck!

I had the Boston Scientific SCS implanted on December 30. My pain is complicated and I have had it since 2019–injury. It is 24/7 and here is location and type of pain:
Right SI joint and tailbone burning pain - almost always

Zinging like electric shock from genital area on left side up to navel, around left hip, and down entire left leg into foot

Neuropathy in left foot with loss of sensation to touch. Loss of sensation on the leg in certain areas.

Extreme tightness in left groin, hard to flex the joint. Constant electric shocks down leg into bottom of foot and a squeezing sensation as if the leg is a wash rag and someone is trying to wring it out. Pressure in knee and back of thigh and top of ankle that makes it difficult to flex. Trying to kneel on that left leg is very painful, as well as lying in left side in the hip area.

Heavy pressure on rectal area. It feels like there is a small, but heavy bowling ball pushing downward when I walk or lie down.

Left leg is heavy and difficult to move at some times while walking. Sensation is that there is a tight rubber band stretching from my tailbone to hip flexor, psoas, and top of thigh when I am trying to walk. Hard to walk with fluid motion.

Activities that increase the pain are sitting, driving my car (worst), lying on my back, kneeling. Then standing, walking, skiing, (yes, despite the pain I ski and walk 30 minutes a day twice a day). (I also paddle board despite the pain. Very difficult to stand up but once I’m erect on board I can maintain my balance.

Sleeping is disrupted often by the burning tailbone sacrum pain. Right now it is keeping me awake

We still don’t have my device tweaked to relieve much of the pain. However the rep and other patients I’ve talked to, tell me that it took them 6 months to get it to where it really helped their pain. I am holding onto that information for hope. My pain is complicated and in several areas and the nerve pain is different in those areas from one another. So it makes sense to me that it will take time until I find the perfect programming. I’m not giving up yet.

I have tried PT, massage, acupuncture, Gabapentin. The only thing that dulls the pain is a narcotic pain med, but I refuse to take it during the day.

My trial helped my low back pain 80% but did not help the leg, foot or tailbone burning.

@tigreyes2004 I can understand your anxiety, as that's one of the things I struggle with. About the trial - there's very little pain. You just have to limit activities for the trial week. By the end of the week, you will assess the effectiveness of the SCS. I had 80% pain relief! It was wonderful! I had forgotten how it felt not to be in constant pain (7-9). The first year was great, as well.

Some important things to consider: do the research on the surgeon. Be aware that the stimulator may decrease in its effectiveness over time, and will have to be adjusted (a painless process of adjusting the controller). I would only have a stimulator that doesn't cause any sensations, such as vibration or electrical pulses. A good surgeon will spend time with you and explain everything thoroughly - have your questions and concerns written down. I would say that, in my opinion, a stimulator should be considered when neuropathy pain is disabling and interferes with daily life or is causing concerning mental health issues. Pain has a way of doing that.

Have you been treated by a neurologist, a pain specialist, a pain therapist, a counselor or therapist? Have you been treated well by each of them? If not, have you found a better person?

So many questions I'm throwing at you. Treating peripheral neuropathy is very much trial and error, and can be a long, frustrating, anxiety laden process. I wish you well as you learn to practice patience. I'd be interested to know all of the things you've done already - meds, therapies, etc.

Are you taking anything for the anxiety? I take Clonazepam, and also take 2 antidepressants, among other meds for other problems. Hang on to hope.

Jim

@tigreyes2004 BTW, my implants have been Abbott. In my research, I found it to be the best one for my pn.

Jim