Implantable neurostimulator for chronic pain

All,
If you are in or willing to travel to the Twin Cities area of MN Dr. David Chang does revisions where he will go up and remove the scar tissue from the previous attempts of other Dr.s and place the leads in the correct location.
He was the one I finally went to after 4 failed surgeries by the original Dr. to get it in the correct spot.

Carl

@cbrackle

If I decide to have the the drg stimulator implant, I'll insist that they remove the scs. Mine is above my belt line because that's where I have enough padding to accommodate the battery pack.

My Burst scs seems to be reducing its efficacy. I've gone through all of the prescriptions used to treat neuropathy pain, and the pain specialist has gone through his whole list of medications that might work. I'm taking yet another medication, imipramine, and it seems to be working on the pain.

Last week, I spoke with a different doctor who does the implants, and she seems more knowledgeable than any others I've worked with, and gives me a glimmer of hope.

Jim

@jimhd My SCS rep had quite a few programs available to reprogram mine. One program worked about 99% for my back but not my neuropathy, so the rep stripped out the other 2 programs that didn't work and put in 2 others, unfortunately also to no avail. May I assume you tried that?

@cbrackle Good post! Experience, experience, experience!

Hello all!

Has anyone ever had intravenous lidocaine? A new pain doctor is recommending it and the articles on the web make it sound like a 50/50 proposition at best. Would love to hear from anyone who had this treatment and how it worked.

Many thanks!

Mark

I could have given you some body fat if I’d been around! LOL! It’s 11/19 and I’m seriously considering one so reading as much as I can about the different devices.

Infused how? I mean, I understand intravenous (retired RN) but not understanding it re chronic pain? Lidocaine has a very short half life and too much can be toxic. So I’m going to look this up.

This is what has been recommended to me. My story: 2011 L3-4-5 TLIF, good relief until about 2 years ago. Now have severe stenosis/pain R lower back/leg radiculopathy. Sometimes I limp. Heavy dull ache or hot nerve pain. R foot numb tingly when I first start moving in am or after watching tv. Been told to have “extension” of my fusion down to S1. I do NOT want another big surgery if I can avoid one. Right now I survive with aspirin/ES Tylenol, Baclofen, 2 occ 3 Vicodin. But I have greatly reduced my activities like walking, gardening, etc. I hate it.

@wisco50

Being a nurse, of course you understand the ramifications of the litany of treatments out there. I'm the only one of six kids who has escaped back issues that involved surgery. The only back problem I've had was compound fractures of T12 and L2, self inflicted because I bailed at 12 feet from a ladder that started a crashing slide across the back wall of my house as I was painting it. I landed in a seated position with my back against a concrete wall. It didn't hurt immediately so I finished that wall and the long side of the house, either on a ladder or a scaffold. I had the house all masked and didn't want to have to do it again. Bad choice. The ER nurses were less than happy.

Have you been given options? Fusions help lots of people, but if there's any other treatment, I'd be considering it.

My pain specialist, whom I saw a few hours ago, has been a Godsend. He's hung in with me in the decade long search for a medication that I could take safely. I think we've finally found it! I pray it will be so. And I pray that you will find the best solution for your back pain.

Jim

OMG, I guess you managed what is called catching a lucky break (pun intended!). I don't have to tell you just how "lucky" you were, because you already know it (and likely told so by hospital personnel). Well, my options are to 1) continue as I am, above (and hope no one removes my minimal doses of hydrocodone - so far no problem with my primary MD who knows me well). It "works" but isn't optimal. 2) have the extension of my already multi level lumbar fusion (discs above the fusion are showing signs of problems, no surprise) 3) try for a more minimal but still invasive surgery "try a few screws" with no guarantee or 4) try the spinal cord stimulator if it appears to help during trial. I've tried every NSAID pill, gel, cream known and aspirin works as well with least side effects. Tried various spinal locale injections with local/steroids. Which at least helped pinpoint the problem to L4-5-S1. I do realize NO guarantees with anything of course. i just hope to not make it worse....the one thing that can give hope is that medicine advances steadily and who knows what will be offered a few years down the road? Somewhat vaguely similar to you, my primary stuck by me for most of 10 years while I dealt with unrelenting pain from serious jaw issues. Long story short, I am now 10+ years out from receiving artificial jaw joints. If it hadn't been for her and a great psychiatrist helping me, and me being a stubborn RN who knew I wasn't making things up - I also finally found (thank you, internet!) not one but two incredible oral maxillofacial surgeons who believed me, diagnosed me and ultimately fixed me (many fights with my insurance company!). So I do have faith in medicine, just need to match what's available with my needs. Fingers crossed and a prayer. I certainly wish you all the best also!