Spinal cord stimulation

[grumpyone]

Hello all,

I know I have seen many on here talk about spinal cord stimulator, the DR discussed this with me today. May I ask for those who have one was it worth it did it help?
Thank you

[Manley2]

My wife and I both have one and for both of us they really do help. If your doc explained it all there is a trial that goes along with it where they do a temp implant to see if it helps before they decide to do the real one. Ask away if you have more questions and I will try to help. Email is also a good way to ask me questions but I will try to answer them here too. I know there are others here that will help as well.

[AQA]

One thing to keep in mind is that the SCS is not a fix all cure.

[grumpyone]

AQA Wrote:One thing to keep in mind is that the SCS is not a fix all cure.

I understand that I am just wondering if it worked I just got done reviewing the 3 dvd's the doctor gave me and I think I may give it a shot nothing eles seems to be helping.

[AQA]

Some people have great results with it. Some do not. That is the purpose of the trial. If there is not a 50 to 65% decrease in the pain. The final implant will not be done.

Now speaking for myself. I have had good results with it. The only down side is that it can not control all the areas of pain. The areas that it does control, well, it works.

Probably the best way to explain how it works is this. Have you ever been electrocuted (shocked either by a battery or AC current)???? If so, you know the tingling feeling that followed. Well, that tingleing feeling is what you are going to feel when you have the SCS. The difference is that you will be able to controll strenght of the feeling as well as the pulse.

The short answere is yes. It works for me. As Manley2 said, there are others here with one. Hopefully they will be alone shortly.

[Manley2]

It does not in my case cover all my pain but it does help allot. I know in my case I felt good when the doctor talk about doing this because I felt like I would be getting some help other the more pain meds. The only draw back was WC fighting and delaying it for about a year and had to get my insurance to cover it. The trial should give you a very good idea what it will do for you. One thing to do is all your homework. Check with those that have had one as well as your doctors and get all your questions answered. The more you know the better chance you have of making the right move. As AQA said it is not a cure all and may not work for you. Don't be afraid of the trial if you and your doctors decided you should try it. It is not bad at all.

[AQA]

I don't think I would call it a massaging sensation. I wish it was more like that.

[Manley2]

If it was a massaging sensation I would ask for more leads to be placed all up and down my spine

[jayne]

just your spine Manley?

[AQA]

OOOOOOO, I can just see the IC fighting "medical necessity".