Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

2,902 Members
21,876 Posts
0 Online
Brain & Nervous System
/ Chronic Pain Support Group

Spinal cord stimulation

Tootsie37
Tootsie37
I was referred to a new pain specialist who suggested spinal cord stimulation implant. I went back to him after researching this and explained my fears and concerns. The Dr. was persistent about me trying the treatment. I also have paranoia, told him this and that I didn't know how my mind would react. Dr. agreed to try steroid injection. Has anyone tried this spinal cord stimulat ion implant?
uncommoncondition
uncommoncondition
I have heard about an implant that goes into the spine and can cancel out pain signals to the brain. It sounds too scary to me. I would worry about walking into an electric field that could make the devise act erratically.
Aronia
Aronia
Prior to spinal Cord stun trial you have to
Pass the psychiatric exam with a trained specialist.
If you were my patient and told me that you have paranoia and are not comfortable With procedure, I would never push it.
My suggestion is not to have SCS trial until you went through multiple rounds of PT.
oldcper
oldcper
With a DX of Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder I doubt you'd ever pass the psych exam required to get to the trial phase of the Implant.

Your Psychiatrist could probably answer that question for you.
jordansmamma
jordansmamma
Tootsie,

Are you still thinking about the SCS? Just curious and wanted to reach out to let you know I'm thinking about you!
Tootsie37
Tootsie37
Thank very much to everyone who replied. My therapist would probably advise against it too. My initial and later ideas were not to proceed with treatment. uncommonc, Agreed! Jordansmamm, thank you for checking in! I've had spinal fusion, which did not help and P.T. multiple times. Also has injections. I think that is why the doctor was persistent. But there is no was I will go through with it. Thanks for your support!
billwfriend
billwfriend
Trial is test but I am not knowledgable about this psychiatric component! Trial is reversable and it to me would allow me to know if it helped. Sorry you dont wish to try it but to each her own!
oldcper
oldcper
Unfortunately Bill it's not just a quick easy test run....you basically go through the implant and they monitor it for a few weeks to see if it's going to work. So it's quite a big deal.

the problem with people with severe mental illness is, if they're in a fixed state, or multi-personality state, or have a psychotic break they can decide they don't want that "metal thing" inside them and dig or rip it out...it would cause quite a bit of damage if not kill someone if they didn't get medical care asap.

So Tootsie is doing exactly as she should in her due diligence, in seeing if this is for her.....it's not for everyone.
Posts You May Be Interested In