Anyone tried Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain?

Hi @bettyg81pain. I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled:
- Anyone tried spinal cord stimulation for pain? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/spinal-cord-stimulation-2

I did this so you could reconnect with members @pks3799, @jager5210, @mmata and update them on your journey.

Looking at the diagrams on Nalu's website, one big difference appears to be where the devices are planted. The peripheral nerve stimulator looks as though it is placed higher up near the shoulder whereas the spinal cord stimulator is low lumbar. Their website is a little vague, but they may target different areas based on where they are placed, but this is something you'd want to discuss with a medical provider to get the best possible answer.

@bettyg81pain - you had mentioned earlier that you were getting a stimulator back in June, has there been a change in plans for you? Has the peripheral nerve stimulator been brought up as an option vs the spinal cord stimulator?

Has anyone tried the new Saluda Evoke stimulator?

I've had both but didn't my pain!

I did do the trial for the Boston Scientific Stimulator but it totally failed to help the neuropathy

I have chronic back pain with bulging disc at L4 L5. Had 3 cortisone injections in that area, 2 cortisone injections in the L4,5 hinge all with no improvement and then a rizotomy on the bulging disc ALL with almost no improvement. Then went to a spine specialist that along with the knowledge that the other treatments didn’t work determined the pain was coming from my sacrum. He did a steroid injection on each side of the sacrum which has helped quite a bit. Still pain but not as severe.

You did try the Saluda???

When did you have the Saluda?

I have arachnoiditis and had the Abbott/St Jude stimulator implanted 2 years ago . I have not experienced any pain relief to date. I've tried adjusting the program and strength, but to no avail.

What is a Saluda?

I'm so sorry that your pain continues from the effects of your Arachnoiditis. I too have delt with Arachnoiditis - for a number of years. It has advanced from my Lumbar spine area to my Thoracic and my Cervical spine areas. I have had over 8 back surgeries, well over 55 injections in various levels of my spine, I've exhausted all of the pain mgt. specialists in a 100 miles range from my home, plus written to the spine centers of a variety of well known hospitals, clinics and facilities and privat doctors. I've tried holistic treatment of various types and I was in private as well as group counseling to help me deal with my 24/7 severe pain, that even causes me to pass out from the intensity of the pain , several times each day. I had a Spinal Cord Stimulator implanted in my spine several yrs ago. It was helpful to me, to some degree, for about 6 years. Then when my Spinal Cord Stimulator stopped working, my pain mgt doctor at the time operated again to remove the old SCS and battery pack and all of the wires too. Then he replaced everything with an advanced model from the same company. It gave me stimulation in the wrong areas duspite anither surgery to re- implant it. I was advised by a different pain mgt doctor to leave it in place but not to use it - which I have done. But through everything - I have not given up. I stay focused on what I call an "attitude of
gratitude ". I start each day as I see the sky lightening and the day starting, I thank God, the Angels and Saints and all those that have and still do encourage me each time we talk, I am grateful for a sense of humor, and I'm greatful for my faith that keeps me centered and positive that someday, I don't know when or how - but there will be treatment to both help releave our Arachnoiditis 24/7 severe pain, plus , to keep the Arachnoiditis from spreading. Each day holds the possibility of hope and/or the discovery of treatment or even a cure being discovered. Do I have days, or periods of time in a day that I feel discouraged? Yes , and that's ok. But when that happens I may practice Creative Visualization, or watch a bird soring through the sky - just enjoying the wind current , or a variety of other things that are amazing in Mother Nature. Then at night (I'm up most of the night as my pain won't allow me to sleep , except for maybe 15 minutes to 45 minutes of broken sleep each night. I can't lay down in bed to sleep as to lay don increases my pain substantually. So, each night and throughout the day, I am in my recliner - but not reclined - the back of the recliner is absolutely straight up and down. Tilting back, or reclining increases my pain substantially. But my recliner has good padding and features that make my life easier. Too bad the chair factory didn't teach it how to cook breakfast for its human housemate. 🙃 Hang in there and try the "attitude of gratitude " suggestion , if you don't already practice it. I hope it helps you. 🙏🏼 God bless.
Mata