Anyone tried Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain?

I get prescription 5% lidocaine patches e (large) box of 30. Around 7pm every night, I cut one in half. One goes on over the toes and one the opposite way. Then I wrap them in medical tape to keep them in place overnight. Then I put a sock on and then wrap it in an ice pack that is secured with velcro. That seems to give me some relief.

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The pain pump injects narcotics and similar medication into your system while the cord stimulator attempts to disrupt pain messages from the brain using electrical impulses.

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Another device is the Abbot DRG. The abbot is better suited for pain in a limb, and perhaps better at other neuropathic issues than the SCS. The DRG has up to 4 leads, Each lead is placed in the dorsal root of the nerve that is impacted. I have one but the results are OK at best. My issue is post herpetic neuralgia (due to shingles) and the pain mgt doctor last told me he used to avoinf PHN patients because he's had relatively little success. Anyways, he has had excellent results with the DRG for the most part. If you would like more information, the best path forward is go to the abbot website and locate the DRG. There should be a place to get more info. Eventually you will talk to a rep, who can give you names of Drs (pain mgt drs) that are certified to do the procedure. The rep may even make an appt for you. If they make that offer, take them up on it. They can probably get you in faster than you can. There is a trial to see if it helps. The trial is not perfect as you have to distinguish between the pain of the inserted lead and the pain you are being treated for. Good luck!

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I don't know if those lidocaine patches are covered by my insurance but I will have to check it out.
Is there some kind of topical cream that is good for Neuropathy?
Thank you
Tigreyes

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How do they put a pain pump in & would that be good for someone like me who has bleeding ulcers.
I take no opioid at all.

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I had shingles two years ago and have PHN as well. I have yet to find any treatment for the pain and intense itching. I was referred to a pain management doctor who tried injections (of no help) who has suggested the SCS. He did not mention the DRG you have, and you mentioned results that are "ok at best". Would you mind sharing more details of your experience with PHN and what, if anything has helped your symptoms? The usual list of medications (Gabapentin, Tramadol, etc.), along with every type of topical cream I can get my hands on has done nothing to bring relief. Thankfully it is not constant, but anything touching the skin does irritate and can kick off the pain and itching.
I am researching the pros and cons of SCS and so far, I am having a hard time convincing myself it would be worth the possible risks for some "possible" benefits.
Best Regards! Donna

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Contact Abbott directly and they can send you to a local rep. The rep can provide names of doctors in your area that can do the procedure. There is a trial that is done, where there is only a couple days where you can assess a difference (dependent on post op pain, and PHN pain location. Some changes in pain can occur months later. The DRG is definitely better than the SCS because the specific nerve that is impacted will get the interfering signal. The lead (up to 4) is placed at the dorsal root (base of the nerve where it exits the spine). My pain mgt doctor (Lubenow at rush in chicago) told me that PHN patients are the hardest to treat. So I want to be honest but I don't want to discourage. Specifically for me, my phn caused pain in butt, rear of thighs, inside thighs, groin, all on both sides. 4 different locations, at least 3 pairs of nerve groups. It did eliminate most of the groin pain (after 2 months) and some of the butt/thigh pain, but not enough to get off the meds. if you have any other questions, feel free to ask. I would suggest trying it, since you have done all the other "goto" treatments. Medical cannabis (indica strain) is also a "tool". Not sure if you tried it. I also take tramadol, pregabalin, baclofen. 5 years now...and counting. please don't hesitate to ask any other questions. There is also a "DRG" facebook group if you want other opinions. I'm on it, but I can probably answer any questions you have. Its good if you want opinions other than me.

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Jim, tell us again where your pain was before you got the DRG stimulator? Are you saying you got 80% relief? Thanks

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@martyk My pain gradually took over the whole of both feet and ankles, and is slowly moving up my legs. The St. Jude/Abbott spinal cord stimulator gave 80% relief during the trial, somewhat less with the permanent implant for the first year. The Abbott DRG stimulator trial had no effect and was falling apart at 4 weeks, so we abandoned it.

Jim

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