Wow! Not good news! I believe making the decision to have lumbar spinal fusion surgery was the worst decision I have ever made! Now, finding a doctor or treatment to see if there is any hope left for me will be the challenge.

You are probably right because I had 2 fusions and it's not any better than it first started 10 years ago. It keeps growing like a tree. That is so much scar tissue that is you're always going to have pain. Just doing some nerve burning I need to see what that would do to keep my fingers crossed. Don't do stimulator exclamation!

Thanks, for the information and advice. What is nerve burning?

Are you simply burn the nerve the block the signals it's a process where you have to go through a series of tests to see if it works and then they do the final block. It does help a lot.

Thanks, I never heard of that. Is it a permanent solution? Is it a painful procedure?

You shouldn't feel a thing as they put you to sleep or semi-conscious and your wake up and it's done. You have to go through to trial to see if it works and then they do it permanently and it lasts for 6 months to 2 years

If you have pain only in your arm and hand, you may want to explore a peripheral nerve stimulator such as Stimwave or Stimrouter. They are much simpler and safer than spinal cord stimulators and can be removed in 20 minutes if the need arises. A PNS has leads only along the nerves serving the specific area where you have pain. No wires are placed in your spinal canal. Stimwave has an external, not an implanted, battery. Talk to your doctor about a PNS. Many pain doctors implant them. It's a reasonable first step rather than jumping straight to a SCS for what sounds like a localized pain. If it doesn't work, you'll always have the more extreme SCS as a backup, but you might be pleasantly surprised by the relief you get from a PNS.

Thanx, and I was supposed to have the trial for Stim Wave just as the pandemic started, as I have chronic abdominal pain from a past surgical procedure. My doc does use it and another problem of mine cropped up, so I have to wait longer. And , a few years ago I had the trial for SCS, but it did nothing, but the Stim Wave sounds promising. Thanx again

No thanks, not up for being a guinea pig. Tried so many things already and I believe I’m in worse shape because of the crap I was fed. Don’t trust anyone at this time but God.

Have you considered a peripheral nerve stimulator? These devices work well for localized pain and they are not implanted in the spinal column. The batteries are external and are worn on the skin. Ask your doctor about Stimwave PNS and StimRouter PNS or look them up on the internet.

Thanx, and was scheduled to have Stim Wave but pandemic booted me. Now other med problems to take care of first. Have you had it done, Stim Wave

I dont think so. Does not sound familiar. I told my Doctor that when they allow elective surgery, I dont want to be the first up. Let them smooth out any problems first. He agreed!

I have to find a doctor that knows what they are doing and listens to my conditions. Spinal stenosis, herniated disks, pinched nerves. 4 surgeries for nerve damage to my ulnar nerves that was pinched and double crush ulnar nerves at multiple levels etc.

I have such a device implanted in my right hip with leads going all through my pelvic area to control my bladder. Since this has been implanted, my bursitis and sciatic pain has completely gone away.

@fatsfat Have you been to Mayo. I saw the best surgeon that deal with your kind of problems. I had surgery by him. It was a 9 hour surgery for degeneration that caused a scoliosis plus stenosis of My L-4 & 5. It has been almost 4 weeks and I see the surgeon nex week. He is a great surgeon and will be able to tell you what is wrong and hopefully help you. Blessings to you.