@rjmcb

I had a Burst DR spinal cord stimulator implant in May of '2017 from St. Jude. Shortly after the implant, St. Jude sold the system to Abbott.

I was told ahead of time that it would be MRI compatible. I was in a surgery gown, ready to walk into the MRI room, when the radiologist had me look on my controller to be sure he could go ahead. It said "MRI not advised". That was in January this year. Needlessly to say, I was beyond angry with the company that had said that they were the only one who were compatible. If I were a litigious person, they'd have heard from my attorney for false advertising.

The Abbott rep told me at that time that an update had been generated to make it MR compatible and that he would be approved to upload it to my controller. Six weeks passed by, then six months, then at ten months, he called me and my scs is indeed MRI compatible. Finally!

So, I've had two long overdue MRI'S done a couple of weeks after the update. In the meantime I've been trying more pain meds, and six weeks ago he prescribed Imipramine. It's the first medication that has helped me with no side effects. After a decade of increasing chronic intractable pain, I can go through a day with only level 2 pain. Bedtime is a different story. With almost no pain all day, when I lie down pain hits immediately, though not as bad as had been pre Imipramine. During the time I've been testing the effectiveness of the Imipramine, I didn't start any other medication and I didn't have the adjustment of the scs so that we could judge the efficacy of the new medication. Now that the doctor and I know that Imipramine is my new best friend, I can set up an appointment with the Abbott rep. I know it's time.

I've mentioned in other discussions that after the first year, I've needed an adjustment of the scs every 3 months. The pain decreases for a while after the tweeking, but by 3 months, the pain has escalated. I was due for an adjustment six weeks ago. I'm hoping that it will be effective enough to reduce the residual pain present since taking my 4 little pills.

Obviously, every body is unique in that what meds work for some people they're useless to the rest of the chronic pain sufferers. I know how frustrating it's been for all of my doctors not to be able to find the right medication or combination of meds my body needed.

In the midst of all of the trial and error for a very long time, one medication has been a constant, that being morphine sulfate contin, and I'm afraid that since I've found Imipramine, the doctors will want me to stop the morphine. The big O scare is affecting a lot of people who have had a legitiment long standing need for opioids and narcotics. Many have been forced to stop taking those meds, even though they have managed their pain for years with the help of narcotics. My limit was cut in half because of politics. But I won't go there for now.

I know for sure that the stimulator implant remains an important part of my pain management. It targets my feet and ankles, though it doesn't do anything for my arthritis in various places. For that I take Meloxicam and Tylenol. The pain in my right thumb joint had become so severe, I had a cortisone injection there. It stopped most of the pain, but the pain is going to have to become unbearable before I get another injection. It was excruciatingly painful!

We have to keep trying meds and procedures, often for a really long time, until we happen upon something that works. I pray for strength and patience for all of us who are dealing with chronic, intractable pain.