Anyone tried Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain?

Posted by steeldove @steeldove, Oct 25, 2018

Spinal Cord Stimulation – A Compelling Treatment Alternative for Chronic Pain https://www.hss.edu/conditions_spinal-cord-stimulation-treatment-alternative-chronic-pain.asp
Vladimir N. Kramskiy, MD Assistant Attending Neurologist, Hospital for Special Surgery, Clinical Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medical College
What Is Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Read more here: https://www.hss.edu/conditions_spinal-cord-stimulation-treatment-alternative-chronic-pain.asp
Posted: 10/8/2018

Anyone tried Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain?

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@ericd47

Mike - courtesy of a RPG in Vietnam, all of my Cs,Ts and Ls were damaged. After two surgeries on each, the neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons said no more. Got referred to pain manager, who recommend the spinal stimulator. I also have a nerve disease (Agent Orange), so I asked my neurologist if the stimulator would help the nerve pain. He stated it would not. Got it anyway and it is a miracle. Cut my spine pain from the Ls 8s, down to 4s. And yes, it helped me decease my nerve pain medication.

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@krisluhman

Fred a great story was recently posted on Mayo Clinic Sharing about a patient that had success with a Spinal Cord Stimulator implant. This may help with your discussion with your provider of choice.
https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2018/10/26/putting-pain-in-the-past/

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Is it true that if damage to the cord is high up, mine is c2-t1 and pain is from around the C4. I’ve been suffering for 6 years and need something that will help the constant pain in my hands.

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@ryanrdt

Is it true that if damage to the cord is high up, mine is c2-t1 and pain is from around the C4. I’ve been suffering for 6 years and need something that will help the constant pain in my hands.

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Welcome @ryanrdt, Sorry to hear you have been suffering with the constant pain in your hands. Six years is a long time with out finding something that helps. Does your doctor think the hand pain is due to the damage in spinal cord around the C4? Have you looked into any other treatments or causes for the chronic hand pain?

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@user_chf56161a

I had the trial for pain cord stimulator. My Mayo Dr
sent me to a closer Dr. at the time I thought it helped 50 percent, that was until the week was over.
I quickly realized it helped 70 percent and I can’t wait to get the implant. Honestly the buzzing affect
didn’t bother me as much as pain.
I ended up with help from lead manager, who called everyday, to set it just on my legs. My back hurts but not as bad as legs. I want to walk, I’m very weak I haven’t done much in 2 years.

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How has it gone with the permanent SCS implant? Was the pain relief with the permanent implant 70% and has it stayed at that level? Or has the efficacy waned over time?

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@johnbishop

Welcome @ryanrdt, Sorry to hear you have been suffering with the constant pain in your hands. Six years is a long time with out finding something that helps. Does your doctor think the hand pain is due to the damage in spinal cord around the C4? Have you looked into any other treatments or causes for the chronic hand pain?

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I have spinal cord damage at the C4/C5 level that causes very bad neuropathy including my hands. Wearing warm gloves with finger holes helps with my hand pain some, by about 2 pain levels. Just a pair of $18 gloves I get off of Amazon.

I have a question about Spinal Cord Stimulation. I think I’ve decided to give it a try and am wondering from others who have tried the implanted devices if they can feel the devices when they are sleeping or doing other things. I’m a side sleeper and this could be a problem for me if it’s easy to feel the device.

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@ericd47

Mike - courtesy of a RPG in Vietnam, all of my Cs,Ts and Ls were damaged. After two surgeries on each, the neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons said no more. Got referred to pain manager, who recommend the spinal stimulator. I also have a nerve disease (Agent Orange), so I asked my neurologist if the stimulator would help the nerve pain. He stated it would not. Got it anyway and it is a miracle. Cut my spine pain from the Ls 8s, down to 4s. And yes, it helped me decease my nerve pain medication.

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Can you tell me about where your device was implanted and if you can feel the device itself? I believe I’m about to make a decision to start this journey and am trying to learn as much as possible about SCS before I start the trial phase.

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@dave130

I have spinal cord damage at the C4/C5 level that causes very bad neuropathy including my hands. Wearing warm gloves with finger holes helps with my hand pain some, by about 2 pain levels. Just a pair of $18 gloves I get off of Amazon.

I have a question about Spinal Cord Stimulation. I think I’ve decided to give it a try and am wondering from others who have tried the implanted devices if they can feel the devices when they are sleeping or doing other things. I’m a side sleeper and this could be a problem for me if it’s easy to feel the device.

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I had a device in for 5 years and I am a side sleeper. It was for my leg pain and the IPG a was tucked in just above the side of my buttocks / upper hip area . It was never an issue with sleeping on it …it never bothered me at all …when they put the devices in , placing it in soft tissue so it doesn’t bother you is a high priority.
Good luck !

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@alh123

I had a device in for 5 years and I am a side sleeper. It was for my leg pain and the IPG a was tucked in just above the side of my buttocks / upper hip area . It was never an issue with sleeping on it …it never bothered me at all …when they put the devices in , placing it in soft tissue so it doesn’t bother you is a high priority.
Good luck !

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Thank you. That is the kind of feedback I was hoping to hear.

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@jkay510

Do you know the brand of stimulated they had?

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Nevro

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I have also done trial for spinal cord stimulator. Excellent pain relief 50%+. I currently have lightning bolts of pain right leg below knee. BK Amp 51/2 years ago. I have had this pain which has been increasing for more than 10 years. Can't wait to get with neurosurgeon to get the real deal!

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