Back Pain Support Group

My husband has one, it's been a little over a year now. They gave him a trial one for a week, the wires are exposed so you are a bit restricted in what you can and can't do. After consulting with the doctors, he went for the permanent stimulator a year ago in March. His main reasons for doing so was to get off of the Lyrica (nerve medication). He had back surgery, L-5/S-1 Disc replacement- he was bone on bone and has done permanent nerve damage and has horrendous pain down his legs. He had been on 300 mgs. of Lyrica and the side effects were/are devastating; he can barely think after his second pill. With the stimulator he has been able to cut the dosage in half. The stimulator replaces the pain sensations with electrical impulses. They can adjust it to send the signals to various parts of the spine which then goes to other parts of the body (inner, outer leg,etc.) Overall, my husband has been happy with it and it has worked out well for him. I hope this was helpful. xoxoLyn

Hi,
I had my Spinal Cord Stimulator installed in June of 08, and it had been the best thing that happened to me for my nerve pain. My unit is a Boston Scientific/Precision Model and I really love it!
Like someone else mentioned, you will need to go through a trial period before they even considered installing a permanent one, to make sure that it works for you. So if your problem is nerve related pain/radiculopathy, I definetely recommend it! Good luck to you,

i have multiple discs injuries that are pressing on nerves. i go to a chiropractor and recently he has started using an external nerve stimulator and it has helped more than anything else, but it is only temporary as i see him only twice a week. if i had this stimulation internally and could use it daily maybe i could get enough relief that i could have a more normal life. i am desperate.

Grammy,
My spinal cord stimulator was suggested to me by my pain management Doctor and between him and a Neurosurgeon it got implanted after the initial trial. Do you have a pain management Doctor? Have you seen a Neurosureon or an Orthopedic surgeont that specializes in spines for your spinal issues?

I like Chiro's for minor adjustments and stuff like that, but when it comes to major issues with the spine, discs, nerves, etc. I DO NOT trust them! I think that you need to see a Neuro or an OS and get an opinion on your injuries before even considering the SCS. This is just my opinion....... Take care and keep us posted.

this is very promising that no one has said they have had major problems with this. i think i will talk to the pain management specialists who did my injections to see what he thinks.

my chiropractor is my first 'go to guy' he knows when the problem is out of his league and he is smarter than most chiropractors i travel past probably 3 dozen chiropractors to get to him cause he is the best. he is the one who told me to go to the pain management specialist to begin with.

I had one implanted in 2006 and for three years it worked and I was able to be pain med free. It works by sending electrical stimulation up and down your spinal cord. Some will say its like a tens but implanted but that is like saying a chevrolet is like a cadilac because they are made by the same company. The Stimulator is very intense and basically you feel a controllable amount of Vibration internally and you can increase or decrease the level of vibration with a remote control, It worked wonderful until my body got used to it medtronics warned me about it and the remedy is to not use it for a year and try again.....good luck!

I have permanent S1 nerve damage and had burning/searing pain 24/7. I was reclined 23 hours a day and still hurt terribly. After 3 L5-S1 surgeries, including a 360 fusion with the works, nothing helped. I had my ANS/St. Jude Eon Mini implanted in January of this year and it has changed my life. Previously, I had tried a TENS unit multiple time, and the pain from that was HORRID. It triggered my nerve pain worse. For me, I would say the TENS unit has nothing in common with the SCS but I see many people think it does. lol If someone had told me that when I got my SCS, I would have an implanted TENS unit, I would have declined to try it - that is how much TENS hurt me (being used at a PT office only, multiple attempts.)

My battery is in my upper right buttock and I charge every few days. Many people don't charge but once a week or even longer. It just depends on how much or how high your stimulation is turned up. I describe it as this - have you ever gone to a spa for a manicure and sat in those nice big massage chairs? Well, I am an internal massage chair, from hips to toes. Constant massaging/tingling/buzzing.

I can turn it up, turn it down, adjust some settings. If my pain changes day by day, I have multiple programs I can use to attack it. The lead(s) are implanted midback and are sending tiny electrical signals in your spinal canal. This "tricks" your brain into not processing the screaming nerve pain signals coming from your legs (or wherever - there is also a cervical SCS for neck issues). It is based on the Gate Theory of Pain, if you want to look that up.

Not everyone is a candidate for SCS and it is definitely a "last resort" kind of thing. But for those who have terrible burning nerve pain and no relief, this can be a Godsend.

There is a mandatory trial for 3 to 8 days and 3 different brands of SCS. The one your doc uses is based on experience, relationship with the local reps (the people who will program your unit), etc. My doc only uses ANS or rarely Boston Scientific (for people who complain of more back pain than nerve pain, but mechanical/back pain is not greatly covered in most people.) For me, though, having my nerve pain under better control gives me the ability to handle the back/mechanical pain with meds.

Definitely do some research and ask your doc if you are a candidate. Most insurances and possibly docs (mine did) require a psychological exam prior to the trial.

Good luck!

of the multiple medical conditions i have, currently 3 of these need immediate addressing. i have a GI problem (appt on wednesday); i have a torn rotator cuff that needs surgery (need to make appt); and this with my back.

i have no doubts that this would help me but i am a little concerned because i have 11 bulged/herniated discs and they span out in ALL 3 AREAS of my back including my thoracic area. ppl have talked about how this has helped their lower back and now there is mention of neck as a separate unit.

my question is this, would i have to have 3 separate units implanted for all 3 areas of my back?! i have been online trying to research this used on thoracic discs and can't find any information.