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Should I have the Spinal Cord Stimulator? Looking for reviews on this
I have had chronic lower back pain due to lumbar spinal stenosis for over 10-years. I have had multiple therapies and procedures done - including RFA, Epidural steroid injections, a MILD procedure, acupuncture, OT/PT and Chiropractics, as well as an Interspinous spacer and nothing has helped my pain. After all of that, the physician I saw in March's only recommendation was for me to have the Spinal cord stimulator, but I am actually afraid of this and have read that there have been numerous injuries as a result of this implant, and after reviewing the booklet and watching the video I initially felt that it was just to restrictive in terms of how you could move your body. If you have had this procedure please let me know your results. Many thanks.
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I had my back pain under moderately good control with meds from 2017 to 2018. I still had some bad days. I met with a local pain specialist who suggested the SCS. Prior to the implant (mine is Medtronics), you have the trial. The trial is done in the doctor's office. A temporary lead is placed in the Thoracic vertebrae area and the lead is attached to the generator ( actually a battery) which is temporarily taped to your back. Very easy and quick procedure. Wear the device for 3 to 5 days to see how much pain mitigation you get. I got about 70 to 80% pain reduction. Felt great. So, I went ahead with the surgery. It's usually an out patient procedure. The permanent implant didn't give quite as much relief as the trial, but it was still good. Recommend at least having the trial. If it doesn't help, they just remove it and send you on your way. There are a number of SCSs out there. Nevro is supposed to be good, also.
I wish you well, and pray you find some relief.
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3 ReactionsThank you for your reply and review. I guess I still have just to many questions about the procedure and I've read just to many negative reviews and reports of severe injuries as a result of having the SCS implanted, including paralysis. Wouldn't the trial be done in an outpatient surgical center? I can't imagine it could be done in a doctors office.
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3 ReactionsNo, the procedure IS done in the doctors office, unless your particular doc prefers a surgery center. The procedure is minimally invasive (the trial) and takes very little time. Done under fluoroscopy. Look, every procedure has its pros and cons. You have to ask yourself, "Am I content to continue my life in pain, or, am I willing to do a trial of a device that could, potentially, change all that?". Are you on any meds. When I first got my back pain meds a year after my ski fall, I finally saw a neurologist who prescribed gabapentin, diazepam, and tramadol for my pain. I was unable to ride my bike up to that point. After letting my body adjust to the effects of the drugs, about a week, I was able to get back and start cycling again. Was up to 30 miles once or twice a week. Just food for thought.
No - I've been to many Pain Management physicians as well as Orthopedic, and none of them have ever offered me pain medication. Ever since the Opioid crisis, physicians are hesitant to prescribe pain medications.
Here everything is done in surgical centers.
Well, regardless of the location, it is a good option to try. I've had steroid injections done in the doc's office and in the sugery center. Depends on their prefernce. I'm in PA, so maybe things are a little different. Where are you located?
Just to continue this discussion, I currently have an implanted morphine pain pump. The trial was done in the pain specialist's office. He has a dedicated room with fluoroscope. The actual implant was done by a neuosugeon on an outpatient basis. In and out in one day. Want to see the scar> Scary!
I live in southern New Jersey (am a native of PA.).
so yeah, down here there are lots of surgical centers around ....
What is the cause of your back pain and what is your diagnosis?
No one can diagnose the actual cause of the pain that is in my lower back, buttocks, legs, and feet. I fell skiing 7 years ago. Landed hard on my back and butt. Almost immediately it felt as if someone had shoved softballs down each butt and the middle of my lower back. Urgent care missed a slight fracture of the L1. It resolved on its own. By that summer, I was virtually pain-free, except it still felt (and still does to this day) like I was sitting on 2 hard lumps. Nothing has shown up on multiple MRIs. In late August I was out weed-whacking (you know, that back and forth movement) and when I was done, about an hour later all this pain came flooding in. Been a roller coaster since then. General diagnosis: Peripheral nerve damage. Of course, but still no pinpointing the butt pain, continued lower back pain. I had a I chiropractor tell me after looking at my MRIs that I had the back of a 45 year-old. So, there I am, with this large hockey puck-like thing implanted in my abdomen, sending morphine to my intrathecal space. I guess it helps a little, but not to the degree I was hoping for. period!
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I am currently weighing my options as well for pain relief in my spine, including another fusion surgery, which may or may not reduce my pain!
I am taking oral pain meds, have for many years, but its effectiveness is is not as good as it was.
I’m considering getting a pain pump, my current doctor says they are not recommending those anymore. Not sure that’s true?
Also considering the SCS, but like denman55 I’m afraid of the possible damage it may cause to my back. Any thoughts are appreciated!