Spinal Cord Stimulator for Chronic Pain

Yeah, Dave, I know. I just realized I BROKE A SMALL CHIP off of my elbow, and figured,as did the p.t., that it was probably done when my morphine was in full effect.With the holidays, I've been so busy that I've forgotten several times to take my normal meds(for chronic pain)>Of course don't have the same problem for break-through pain.Going to my pain doc on Monday, hope this year will be better than last..Looking for him to up my meds in a big way.I have been waiting for a year for him to increase meds.The thing is that if I take anymore morphine, I will(already have) vomit.I take the zofran ODT(oral disintigrating tablets) and they help-FAST!I don't want the suffering of n/v, and will have to go on something diff. Actiq llolli's helped A LOT!But of course, they are addictive, and high cost..so, the doctor $ insurance carriers can hate it.I don't think I'll be able to get back on that.even though they use fentanyl for nerve ablations of my thoracic spine.What combos are u guys using, as far as narcotics and muscle relaxeRS?I'm on mscontin60mg t.i.d.,msir 30mg's QID(I need atleast 2 to help), naprosyn 500,flexeril 15mg QHS(doesn't work, I want my SOMA back!)Wish me luck for the visit!!Have a good week, ya'll!I hope we ALL have atleast a wonderful upcoming week!One great week out of a year would be awesome!!I'll take it!

I doesn't say why patients would have to figure-out if it's"something they want to live with"!What's the negative side of spinal stim?Does it cause a felling like tens?or does the electrical field cause no feeling but helps pain, if so why aren't we all using it?

That is a good question. If the pain is masked, then could you be doing more damage to your back than you realize?

I am under review for this implant. I would like to ask a ? here. If SCS implant works how will you know if more damage is being done to the spine? Pain is to tell your mind to stop what you are doing so you don't do any more damage.

I would love to try it.

You know how sales people can be. At least the pain down your leg has subsidded.

I also have one in my back. It's the second one. I was playing outside with my granddaughter one day, and tripped over a toy and fell, but I did manage to catch myself, but in the meantime had pulled out the wires in my back and had to have surgery over again. The salesman said he would put in a newer type and said it would not only take the pain out of my legs but it would also take it out of my back. We'll needless to say he was wrong. The doctor even told me it would not touch my back. Oh well, I guess one out of 2 isn't bad.

I think the technology has improved so much with these stimulators that even if you were not successful using one several years ago, the new ones might just be the ticket.

I am going to get the stimulator soon. I can not wait. Waiting on insurance company now. I had one on the outside so I am ready for the one inside no wires, no accidental shocking.

The only way I can describe the stimulator is this…,"pain with vibration." Doesn't do much for me, but everyones body is different. I have noticed that since I have been out of work it feels a little better.

I've had my stim since 2007 and I love it. It really helps with the neuropothy in my feet and toes and for the chronic pain in my low back. I recommend it for anyone who has chronic pain. It has made such a difference with my daily life and any social activities I do. Give it a try and see if it does work for you.

@breynolds56…the stimulator was implanted for my back pain and no, it did not work, for me. That's not to say it won't work for you. I think a person's body can reject any foreign object that's in it. I mean, to me at, that's only common sense. I did have a pain pump implanted that was manufactured by the same company and my body didn't reject that. In fact, I'm on my 4th pain pump. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have that!! I receive pain meds 24/7 automatically through this pump and I don't have to do anything (except get it filled every 4 months).

I might try the spinal cord stimulater. Has anyone else tried it? Did it work?

Hi Tracy, I have a spine cord stimulator as well but mine only works on my leg pain which I don't have too much of, Oh I get flair ups but the majority of my pain is my back so I don't use my too often. I never thought that a body would reject it and cause other illnesses. I'm sorry to here you were so stricken but glad your getting better. Did you stimulator work for your back pain?

I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted in 2000. It was effective, at first, but soon became more of an irritant than a help. In the latter part of 2002, I became extremely ill and my doctors could find no reason/cause for my illness. I underwent over 50 types of tests, many of them were quite painful. I was even admitted to the hospital for testing and to receive fluids, etc. for a period of time. I lost over 50 lbs. Turns out, it was the stimulator that was making me sick. I hadn't been using it because of it's ineffectiveness and it was just "there", in my body, and it ended up that my body was rejecting it. I underwent surgery and had it removed. All my symptoms went away. Of course, I had to regain my strength after being ill for several months, but I felt better everyday. To sum it up, the Stimulator did nothing to relieve my chronic pain but I think when people have to deal with chronic pain, they're willing to try almost anything in an attempt to gain some relief!