1. < Neuropathy

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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

berniep | @berniep | Mar 31, 2023
In reply to @bjk3 "Many thanks for sharing this. It shouldn't surprise me, but I'll admit I was a little..." + (show)
@bjk3

Many thanks for sharing this. It shouldn't surprise me, but I'll admit I was a little taken aback. For so many reasons I am more and more uncomfortable with going through with the implant that my pain doctor has been recommending. The whole idea of manipulating the spinal cord is scary, and I am so thankful to have access to other options that do give substantial relief. As far as the kickback is concerned, it seems to me that it is a question of the intention of the doctor - whether he/she is convinced that this is the best option to produce the best outcome for the patient (and the kickback is a coincidence), or if the sole reason for its recommendation is just to make money at any cost. Your comment is much appreciated!

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If you decide to go this route, make sure you get at least a temporary external SCS device for a one week trial before getting it implanted. It may help with the pain but it won't cure the neuropathy numbness for instance. I had a Boston Scientific unit implanted because of its very wide variety of programs. It
had minimal effect.

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2 replies
bjk3 | @bjk3 | Mar 31, 2023
In reply to @berniep "If you decide to go this route, make sure you get at least a temporary external..." + (show)
@berniep

If you decide to go this route, make sure you get at least a temporary external SCS device for a one week trial before getting it implanted. It may help with the pain but it won't cure the neuropathy numbness for instance. I had a Boston Scientific unit implanted because of its very wide variety of programs. It
had minimal effect.

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Hi Bernie - thank you for your input. I appreciate very much that you shared your experience. Yes, the one-week trial is part of the process, and the psychologist who administered the psychological inventory told me straightaway that the implant would not help with imbalance and the numbness that goes with it (just as you said). Also, I did not realize that the psychological inventory is only "good" for 9 months. That means the decision whether to proceed or not has to be made sooner rather than later. I do want to go through with the EMG as it should reveal something about the cause, such as whether carpel tunnel syndrome is present. I guess I haven't mentioned that I also get chiropractic adjustments (spinal only, not extremities), which are valuable in a number of ways.

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carolann1952 | @carolann1952 | Mar 31, 2023

Pain tight lower leg. Slow burning much time interrupted by lighting bolts intermittently. Low level pain decreased during day.

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user_chf56161a | @user_chf56161a | Apr 1, 2023
In reply to @bjk3 "Hi Betty - I am taking 100 mg of Pregabalin and 50 mg. of Tramadol each..." + (show)
@bjk3

Hi Betty - I am taking 100 mg of Pregabalin and 50 mg. of Tramadol each three times a day with the option of another 50 mg tablet of Tramadol if needed (generally do not). In addition, I take one .05 mg of Ropinirole at night. I also have the option of one 10 mg. table of Baclofen but this only helps with muscle soreness. I go to P.T. twice a week. One of those appointments is just to use equipment but at the other, she does a deep-tissue laser treatment on hands and feet and usually manual manipulation. I fell and broke my hip at the ball-and-joint last April so some of the manipulation is to deal with that.
I sure hope you will be able to find some relief in your situation.

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I have a pain stimulator!

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1 reply
user_chf56161a | @user_chf56161a | Apr 1, 2023
In reply to @martyk "Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.... Northwestern is a little far for me. (New Jersey)" + (show)
@martyk

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.... Northwestern is a little far for me. (New Jersey)

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You’ll find a Dr.
I wish you could just call Mayo Pain Dr. and they could just tell you who to go to.

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mayodoug | @mayodoug | Apr 1, 2023

I have a stimulator in my back and right hip. It's helping but not tremendously.

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1 reply
bettyg81pain | @bettyg81pain | Apr 1, 2023
In reply to @bjk3 "Hi Betty - I am taking 100 mg of Pregabalin and 50 mg. of Tramadol each..." + (show)
@bjk3

Hi Betty - I am taking 100 mg of Pregabalin and 50 mg. of Tramadol each three times a day with the option of another 50 mg tablet of Tramadol if needed (generally do not). In addition, I take one .05 mg of Ropinirole at night. I also have the option of one 10 mg. table of Baclofen but this only helps with muscle soreness. I go to P.T. twice a week. One of those appointments is just to use equipment but at the other, she does a deep-tissue laser treatment on hands and feet and usually manual manipulation. I fell and broke my hip at the ball-and-joint last April so some of the manipulation is to deal with that.
I sure hope you will be able to find some relief in your situation.

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Thanks for your comments. I am pretty sure I am going through with the stimulator - will check out the Tramadol-is that for pain? Is the PT helping balance?

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2 replies
bettyg81pain | @bettyg81pain | Apr 1, 2023
In reply to @berniep "If you decide to go this route, make sure you get at least a temporary external..." + (show)
@berniep

If you decide to go this route, make sure you get at least a temporary external SCS device for a one week trial before getting it implanted. It may help with the pain but it won't cure the neuropathy numbness for instance. I had a Boston Scientific unit implanted because of its very wide variety of programs. It
had minimal effect.

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Oh no!! I'm expecting more!!! Explain why it was just minimal, please.
I don't think they would even insert one if they didn't do the temp first
Do you have a clue how you even got/why/what caused your neuropathy?

Thanks for your input!!

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1 reply
bettyg81pain | @bettyg81pain | Apr 1, 2023
In reply to @mayodoug "I have a stimulator in my back and right hip. It's helping but not tremendously." + (show)
@mayodoug

I have a stimulator in my back and right hip. It's helping but not tremendously.

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I'm sure expecting better things! Do you know why?

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