Hey Jim! Glad to give you some ans. on my stimulator, etc. I have no problem with the stimulator. I have degeneration where my spine was fused. No one wants to help me because of the placement of the leads along my spinal cord. I don't know what course they could take & may never know if no one even won't give me a chance to try to repair it. I have been active all my life & now I am down to a few hrs up, few hrs.in the chair, etc. I can still get things done but it takes all day. NO LIFTING at all or i am down for a few days also. I won't use pain meds except over the counter because I am allergic to most things unless it is natural. HA! 70s are quite a adventure!! Some Drs act like you are too senile to know your own body!! Tends to bring out the attitude in me! Good luck with your health! I will try to find John bishop. Thanks
@darlenearmstead

Chronic pain is emotionally and physically exhausting. It affects everything you do, IF you can do whatever it is that you want to do. It’s just miserable and I think unless someone has been there, they just don’t understand. I can honestly say that even working in a hospital as an RN, surrounded by people of all healthcare professionals, I often felt alone and definitely misunderstood. I especially think when the person’s pain is caused by something unable to be seen by others - pain in neck, back, chronic headaches, jaw pain, etc. - then it is less likely to be believed as (even) existing, or not being “as bad” as the person says or acts, and if said chronic pain causes significant emotional distress/depression then that just adds to the burden. These days my pain is tolerable (neck and back) and with ESTylenol/NSAIDS and a SCS for my back/leg, I’m doing ok. But my other major chronic pain episode (my first experience with it) began in fall 2000 and culminated 11 years after multiple doctors/dentists/oral maxillofacial surgeons and multiple procedures including both minor and major surgeries, ending with having bilateral jaw joint replacements. Recovery was a good 6 months re swelling etc. I had profound depression through most of those years. I had been written off as a “crazy/uncooperative patient” by several of the people I sought help from. I ended up being traumatized by one so called specialist - I still have flashbacks to her screaming at me in office. Ended up being diagnosed with PTSD. (No comparison to what military deal with, please understand, just saying it was explained what was causing my symptoms.) Anyway, sorry for rambling. Been having a rough time right now with more flashbacks - thinking part of it is this social isolation and it is 11th anniversary of my surgery (about 8-9 hours) coming up. The great news is it worked! My jaw pain is no more, I can eat, smile, talk, yawn, hallelujah! I just need to shake the bad stuff back and not think about it. Thanks for listening.

Jim,
I know I’ve mentioned it before, but with the SCS and DRG stimulators not helping me, the Medtronic Pain Pump (now that I have a competent provider) is making a huge difference on my legs and feet. We’re still increasing to a “therapeutic” level for me, but I can pretty much stay active on my feet all day. I pay for it at the end of the day, but that’s what the fine tuning is working on.

Now if I could just find some treatment for the rest of the chronic pain throughout my body. Looking into having my stimulators removed now that the surgical centers are reopening. The other specialists all want MRIs and since the Stim units have not been helpful at all I want them removed.

I hope you are able to get some relief soon. I’ll be praying for you.
Carl