Saturday, May 02, 2009 BILL asks

Q: HAS ANYONE EVER HAD THE "STIMULATOR IMPLANT OF THE SPINE? OR THE MORPHINE PUMP IMPLANT? DID IT WORK?

HEY OUT THERE!! I AM TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD THE "BACK STIMULATOR IMPLANT PROCEDURE DONE. AND IF? IT HELP THEM OR NOT?? I HAVE SUFFERED WITH "SEVERE CHRONIC BACK PAIN" FOR OVER 20+ YRS. TO THE POINT I HAVE TRYED TO COMMIT SUICIDE A COUPLE TIMES, BECAUSE THE PAIN WAS "SOOOO INTENSE" THAT I COULD NOT HANDLE IT ANYMORE?? I HAVE HAD MY BACK BROKEN AT LEAST "3 TIMES" POSSIBLY MORE?? AND FROM T2-T12 HAS "COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY "BLOWN OUT"!! I HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL OF THESE "PAIN CLINICS" WHO ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS THOSE "SPINAL INJECTIONS/NERVE ROOT, FACETS, EPIDURALS, NERVE LOCKS,STEROIDS AND FORGET THE NAME OF THE OTHERS!! BUT, THEY "DID ME "MORE HARM THAN GOOD"!! THE FIRST DAY THAT I WOULD HAVE ONE? I FELT AS OF I COULD "PICK UP A TRUCK, CAR, ETC; AND THROW IT. BUT, THE NEXT DAY AND SEVERAL WEEKS AFTERWARDS, IT WAS IF THE "BOTTOM HAD FALLEN OUT"?? I WAS IN "ALOTTT MORE PAIN THAN I WAS BEFORE I HAD THE INJECTIONS, AND THE HEADACHES "SHEWWWWW MANNNN THEY WERE "PURE HELL ON EARTH"!! I HAVE HAD 46+ OF THE INJECTIONS. "WHY?? BECAUSE THESE DRS. WOULD TELL ME 'LET US DO THESE AND IT "SHOULD GIVE YOU SOME RELIEF"?? AS ANYONE WHO SUFFERS WITH "SEVERE CHRONIC BACK PAIN"? WILL, DO ALMOST ANYTHING TO GET JUST A "LITTLE IT OF RELIEF"!! THE DRS. HAD ME ON "FENTANYL PATCHES "200MG" PLUS PERCOCET 10/650MG AND IT "BARELY TAKES THE EDGE OFF" LITERALLY!!
DID NOT HELP ME "ANY AT ALL"!! ON A GOOD DAY IT "THE PAIN' IS MERELY BEARABLE. AND ON THE "BAD DAYS" WHICH ARE "8 OUT OF 10 OR MORE" THE PAIN WILL LITERALLY "SUCK THE LIFE COMPLETELY OUT OF YOU"!! SO, WITH ALL THESE MEDS THEY HAD ME ON FOR OVER 1 1/2-2 YRS. WHEN, I TOLD MY DR. THAT I WASN'T GOING TO DO ANYMORE OF THE INJECTIONS. BECAUSE THEY WERE JUST MAKING ME WORSE AND CAUSING ME "ALOT MORE PAIN"!! HE CUT MY MEDS OFF "IMMEDIATELY"!! I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE!! HE DID NOT WEAN ME OFF OF THEM. NOOOO!! HE SAID "NO INJECTIONS, NO MEDICATION"!! BECAUSE THEY MAKE $1,800-$2,400 PER INJECTION. VERSUS JUST DOING AN "OFFICE VISIT OR CHECK UP AND HIM WRITING MY MEDS WHICH HE COULD ON;Y BILL MY INS. A MAX OF $150-$195!! GETTING OFF THAT STUFF ON "MY OWN" WAS "PURE HELL" BUT, I DID IT EVEN THOUGH I THOUGHT I WAS "GOING TO DIE "LITERALLY DIE"!! I SAW ALL TYPES OF DEMONS WHILE COMING OFF OF THAT STUFF. AND WHICH, I ALSO HAVE "COPD/w CHRONIC BRONCHITIS & EMPHAZEMA, AS WELL AS AN "ENLARGED HEART. SINCE I WAS 40 YRS OLD. AT THE AGE OF 45 I WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED WITH A "COUPLE BRAIN ANEURSYMS" TOO!! SO, I WENT TO A "NEUROLOGIST/NEUROSEURGEON" WHO WAS GOING TO PUT "RODS, SCREWS, PLATES & BOLTS INTO MY SPINE TO TRY AND GIVE ME "SOME RELIEF"!! BUT, HE ORDERED AN "MRI/MRA w/CONTRAST DYE" SO, ABOUT 10-12 DAYS LATER AFTER HAVING THESE TESTS. HE CALLED ME INTO HIS OFFICE. HE ASK ME "HOW MANY "ON THE JOB INJURIES OR MVAs HAVE YOU HAD?? I WAS TELLING HIM AND ASK HIM "WHY ARE YOU ASKING ME THAT?? HE SAID THAT "SURGERY WAS 'OUT OF THE QUESTION" THAT HE WOULD "NOT TOUCH ME"!! HE ASK ME IF THE DRS. "FAMILY DRS" I HAVE HAD HAD EVER TOLD ME THAT MY BACK WAS BROKEN?? I SAID "NO", BUT, I KNEW IT WAS. HE SAID WELL I CAN SEE "3 BREAKS RIGHT OFF & MAYBE MORE"?? AND HE SAID THAT FROM "T2-T12" HAD BLOWN COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY OUT "GONE, NOTHING THERE TO HOLD ME UP" AND THAT I HAD "SEVERAL BONE SPURS PENETRATING AND ENCROACHING MY SPINAL CORD, WITH SOME PRESSING ON THE NERVES. THIS GUY/DR. THE N/SEURGEON/N/ROLOGIST IS ONE OF THE "TOP 10 IN THE NATION" AWESOME GUY AND DR TOO!! BUT, HE TOLD ME THAT I WAS "TOO BUSTED UP FOR HIM TO EVEN BEGIN TO TRY TO FIX ME? THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TOOLS TO EVEN BEGIN?? I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD SOME TOOLS IN MY VEHICLE I WOULD LET HIM BORROW!! LOL!! BUT, ANYHOW!! HE SAID "I HAVE A COUPLE FRIENDS WHO I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO GO SEE. HE SAID THAT THEY "SPECIALIZE IN MY TYPE OF PAIN"?? SO, I AGREED TO GO SEE THEM. WHEN, I WENT TO THEM THERE WERE "3 OF THEM" THAT CAME INTO THE EXAM ROOM I WAS IN. THEY SAID THAT THEY AND "MY "N/SEURGEON" HAD HAD A LENGTHY CONVERSATION ABOUT ME AND MY CONDITION!! THEY SAID THAT DR.D. "N/N" TOLD THEM THAT WHEN THEY SAW ME THAT THEY WOULD "NEVER BELIEVE BY LOOKING AT ME THAT I WAS IN THE CONDITION I WAS?? THEY SAID "HE SURE TOLD THE TRUTH ON THIS"!! BUT, AS THESE DRS WERE LOOKING AT MY REPORTS FROM MY MRI/MRA REPORTS JUST KEPT SAYING "DAMN, DAMN, DAMMNNNN" THE ONE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID "YOU ARE BUSTED ALL TO HELL"!! I WANTED TO SAY "DUHHH"!! BUT, I DIDN'T. AND ANOTHER THING I DIDN'T LIKE WHERE HE SENT ME WAS BECAUSE IT WAS AT A "CANCER CENTER"!! SORRY SO LONG!! BUT, I'LL FINISH UP ASFAST AS POSSIBLE!! SO, WHEN, I MET THESE AND WE GOT TALKING. HE WANTS TO DO SOME MORE "INJECTIONS" AND THEN TRY THE "STIMULATOR IMPLANT" FOR 2WEEKS-A MONTH. THEN, IF, IT DOESN'T WORK? HE SAID HE WOULD GO AHEAD AND IMPLANT THE "MORPHINE PUMP"!! BUT, I HAD PROMISED MYSELF THAT I WOULD NEVER LET ANYONE DO ANYMORE INJECTIONS OF ANY TYPE INTO MY SPINE AGAIN!! HAS IT WORKED FOR ANYONE ON HERE?? I WOULD LOVE TO GET SOME FEEDBACK ON THIS "NERVE STIMULATOR IMPLANT" NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT IT WAS CALLED? BUT, THAT THEY RUN WIRES TO WHERE YOU HAVE THE MOST PAIN AT?? THEY'D BE RUNNING "ALOT OF WIRES" ON ME. IF, THAT'S HOW IT WORKS?? AND MY NECK IS ALSO BUSTED UP TOO!! BUT, I AM "REALLY SCARED OF HAVING ANYMORE INJECTIONS. I HAVE HAD ONLY "BAD EXPERIENCES WITH THEM"!! AND IF THEY DO PUT THE 'MORPHINE PUMP IN?? I WILL STILL HAVE TO TAKE "PAIN MEDICATION TOO"!! SO, IF, ANYONE HAS EVER HAD THIS DONE OR KNOWS SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD EITHER THE 'NERVE STIMULATOR IMPLANT OR THE MORPHINE IMPLANTS?

THANK YOU!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!! BILL !! P.S. SO PLEASE IF ANYONE ON HERE HAS HAD THESE PROCEDURES? PLEASE RESPOND BACK TO ME. THANKS AGAIN!!! PLEASE RESPOND ASAP!!!!!!!!

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Answers (22)

Karen Lee Richards, Health Guide

5/ 2/09 6:37pm

Bill, I'm so sorry to hear of all the horribly painful things you've been going through. I'm glad you've at least found some doctors who are trying to help you. Although I haven't personally had the neurostiumlator or intrathecal pain pump, I've heard from a lot of people that they have helped and a few that they haven't.

Actually, the very best place to get answers to questions about pain pumps is on our forum. There is an excellent ongoing thread entitled “Willing to share experience with intrathecal morphine pump implant” that was started and is maintained by Bob Englebardt. It's a pretty long thread, but rest assured your post will be read and answered. You can learn about the experiences of many people by browsing through the posts already there. Then just click on the last page and post your questions. Here is a link to this thread on the forum:
http://forums.healthcentral.com/discussion/chronic-pain/forums/a/tpc/f/7251032/m/8491036

(Note: If you've never been to the forum before, you'll have to register separately from your registration here on ChronicPainConnection. You can, however, use the same e-mail address and password if you like to make it easier to remember.)

As for neurostimulators, one of our community members has recently had a neurostiumlator implanted and has started a blog to chronicle her experiences with it. You can check out her blog here: http://chronicstimulation.blogspot.com/

You also mentioned cluster headaches/Migraines. I wanted to let you know we have an excellent Migraine site. Teri Robert, the lead expert on MyMigraineConnection, works with many of the top migraine specialists in the world. She should be able to help you with any questions about that portion of your pain problems.

I'd like to make one final suggestion. Please know I'm not saying this to be critical or super-pickey, but so that more people will read your posts that may be able to help you. I'd encourage you to use both upper and lower case letters when you write your questions or comments. It's very difficult to read all caps. In fact, some of our folks can't do it because it gives them headaches when they try. I know you may have a good reason for writing in all caps, but I wanted to let you know that you may get more responses if you try using upper and lower case.

I'll keep you in my prayers, Bill. Please keep us posted on how you're doing and how the neurostiumlator or pain pump work for you if you decide to try them.

BILL

5/ 3/09 1:04pm

Thanks So Much!! The reason that I use Caps alot is because of "my eyes". I have bad eyesight and stigmatism. and I can't hardly see the lower case letters. I am using a Magnifyer to write this. If, i try to write or read the lower case it gives me a "Migraine also". where i have these Cluster migraines and also these "Brain Aneursyms". It keeps soo much pressure in my head. But, I am "Very Sorry" i had "no idea" about the caps, that it would bother or offend anyone?? I really Appreciate your response and also these sites that you have reccomended. Thank You Veyr, Very Much!!! GOD Bless You All!!! bill !! P.S. Sorry if i may have offended Anyone???

roxie

7/ 2/10 8:57am

Thanks for your story, I related to everything you said, im having the implant in two weeks, ill let you know how it works. Roxie

steph

9/18/11 4:13pm

its 2011, have you had any re leaf from the stimulate implant,

Henry

7/ 6/12 3:40am

I don't know if this is to late to answer your question. It is July 5th 2012 and my name is Henry. I was just trying to get the right spelling of the stimulat implant to get a medical braclet and I found this question. I got a spinal cord stimulator put in my back about a year and a half ago for a shattered ancle and lower leg I got in 2001 in a car accident, and I hope I spell this right sence there is no spell check fiber mialga that is slowly covering my foot and lower leg due to 10 surgeries to try to repair the leg. The stimulator sometimes helps and sometimes does not. It feels like a giant vibrator in my leg that I can control how strong to put it. Another way to discribe it is if you have ever used a tins unit it fills like a giant tins unit that can also be controled.

To me what it does is over ride the pain by vibrating and gets you feeling that more and it takes your mind off the pain alittle or alot. In my case the signal just can't get past my ankle so I get relief everywhere but my foot.

A operator set 4 programs up for me that I can change to anytime I want as long as I keep the battery charged. One program is for my leg and ankle. The second program is for my lower back for when I pull it or straine it. The third is for my left hip that hurts alot due towalking with a big limp and the 4th is for my right hip for the same reason.

How do I Like it? I still don't know all the way. It does help with all 4 problems but, it just doesn't whipe out the pain insantly like one would think. It also like I said before does not reach my foot and my foot really really hurts at times whitch cancles out the feel good feeling of the rest of the ankle and leg.

Hope this helped alittle.

5/ 3/09 9:36pm

Dear fellow sufferer...

I've lived with pain for so long now, I know how "old"/"stale"...the conversation gets; ever so quickly...

Yes, unfortunately apparently we both live in a high degree of pain; which has lasted...at least in my case over 25 years and encompassed more surgeries than I'd care to get in to...

Yes; I've had spinal fusions, implants, major hardware reconstruction, spinal surgery thru the anterior, and oh...the failed surgeries where nothing did any good and hardware just came apart and went thru my voice box...

That little scenario was and is a tough one to live with. For almost 3 years now I survive by eating thru a permant feeding tube...peg tube..because of the damage done to my epiglotis during cervical surgery...

I've done the routine with nerve stimulators...to no avail. I did the morphine pump implant for almost 5 years...and had nothing but problems...

My nervous system is burned out from all the medications, and narcotics...and I live the majority of my live in a hospital bed at home...

A few weeks back I was back to see my surgeon...

He indicated that my spine was again fractured...apparently in multiple places...and that I should consider re-fitting hardware from the base of my neck...all the way south...

None of my surgeries has accomplished the goal the goal though....The goal of reducing my pain level to a "reasonable" level, and being able to re-join "society"...or even go to church...

My entire spine has been surgicized over the years. The hope that a possible surgery will bring relief is what compells "us"...to "go for it"...sometimes; despite the odds...

My entire thoractic section is fracturing again; and to add a little twist, it's also splintering as it's collapsing...

I walk like an "ape", and I can't stand up straight...

With the surgeon suggesting surgery again he wanted me to have a body scan, and full MRI's again...

That in itself was a bit of a "joke"...

I found that "now" I couldn't be fit into an MRI machine because of the curvature of my spine. It took me 3 trys at the machine to figure an answer...

This will sound pretty silly, but: I had to take and snap my spine; realign it, and go have the testing done...of course with the help of a "little" pain meds...

It's a terrible thing to live in pain; a great deal of chronic pain, and for so long...

The body has its limitations, and I had my kidneys fail the first of the year...

I'm sorry to say that I don't have the answers you are looking for...

In my own situation I am "torn" between again persuing another surgery, or...just to keep plugging along hoping for the best...

It may be that "we" have to accept our "fate" and find a way to manage a "life" juggling the pain day in and day out...

I've been at it so long I can tell you that there are ways to actually "override" the pain, through what might be called "mental manipulation/conditioning"...but "that" is something that I "designed/generated" for myself. It's fault is that eventually the pain overrides the mental controls, and "you" are back where you started. If you have a "support network" it can really help! Just getting your mind off of the pain can be pain relief in and of itself...

Sorry if I didn't answer your questions outright, or paint any rosey pictures for you. There aren't any of those out there! "You" will have to come to terms with yourself, your family, and your physicians...and hopefully...hopefully you can find that "window to see out of"...

Rdgs

cindi

5/ 8/09 8:13pm

hi bill, i answered your other post,..but anyway, i do not have all the probs you have..i was just hit by a car while i was walking across the street , the idiot ran a stop sign ( 2 weeks later, she was busted for dwi),,but anyway, had been going to a pain clinic for almost 2 years, they started me of on 150 mg fentanyl and 320 oxycontin, i thought this to be a very high dosage for me, becausse YES, the pain was gone , but all i did was spend my time in bed and was a total zombie..i went off the oxy, cold turkey myself,, thhis was one of the most awful mother frickin' thing i have done in my life.at first i thought i was going to die and THEN prayed for death!!! when the pain clinic found out about it, they immediatly sent me to thier shrink, i know not what for, did what i did and it was all good in 4 months, but as i said they were pissed because i had signed a contract, and i guess , one of the "rules" were to not stop any meds.....excuse ME..MY BODY and didn't like what i heard about oxy and just did not want that shit in my house, let alone in my body...they were going to either drop me( let me deal with the fentanyl withdrawal), which at that time i could NOT deal with another withdrawal..AND EXCUSE ME ISN'T THAT JUST SO PROFESSIONAL AND COMMPASSIONAL OF THEM TO LAT YOU GO THRU WITHDRAWALS!!!)...so they told me , i would have to go thru all the injections , i had already had gone thru (10 of them) or they would not prescribe fentanyl for me anymore..u n b e l i e v a b l e...but you said you had the choice ( i do NOT trust drs. for anything anymore)...so i went thru the injections (which of course didn't work the first time and didn't work the second time!!!) (punishment? i think so), so as the 50 mg (from 150 mg fentanyl) obviously didn't touch my pain, my family physician faxxed them 2 x and my husband called 2x to see if i could be prescribed something for b/t pain....they said i ,, didn't need it...HOW DARE any dr. think you don't need other pain meds to get you out of the gosh darn bed?????..they called one day and told me i was dropped from the program.. i said NO, i am dropping you, because at that point i was looking for other pain clinics...well, i found one and altho he did not say it, he implyied..i was "drug seeking"...my blood pressure must have been thru the roof by then....does ANYONE in thier right mind , think that anybody would go thru all this bullshit just to get drugs???? i am now set up for a discogram( ever have that???...if so can you tell me about it, the drs. even told me it was going to be VERY painful....i am sooooo looking forward to that...i just do not know if i am coming or going sometimes...and then for this injection to be coming up in june...i soooo hope i can find another dr. or pain clinic that is so much more compassionate and straght up with me...one of the symtoms that go with injection is either bleedind or infection, infection so bad sometimes, you can land up in the hospital for 3 months....CRAZY???..but anyway i do know of someone who has the stimulator and she said it has changed her life...so maybe that might help you in the long run!!!! sorry, i rambled on, but i get so damn angry, when i hear things that have happened to other people and that it has happened to me...way too many people on this site , that have gone thru the same thing and it drives me crazy!!!..if you need to talk more..i am here, cindi

roxie

7/ 6/10 9:46am

hi cindi,i had the discogram,two week ago,its not that bad,u wiil feel pressure, no more pain then u allready feel, and if it does hurt they stop, the pictures they take are much clearer, thanks for your story its helping me not feel so alone. i go next week for stimulant inplant. i may call pain clinic soon. its like you said do they not have any i deal what ist like to have this pain. roxie

cindi

7/ 6/10 11:42pm

hi roxie...sorry but i had A LOT OF PAIN, when i had the discogram.....so much that i was screaming...so..i guess it is just different for different people..i AM SO GLAD you did not have the pain i had...my dr. in the middle of it as i think i may have said, he would NOT continue, if I CONTINUED to cry..of course, that would mess up the place they were going to...but ...i could NOT take the pain ..as i am having a RFA..next week, this ALSO caused me a LOT of pain..and even my dr. told me, they would try and give me as much pain medication....but i could not be fully be put to sleep..as i said?..i am having it 2 times next week..on both sides....i AM NOT looking forwRD TO THIS EITHER...SORRY, IF I MAY BE SCARING YOU...OR ANYONE ELSE..I take pain well...BUT THIS IS JUST SOMETHING, I JUST .....SO SORRY. TEARS ARE COMING TO MY EYES...I AM SOOOOO SCARED AND NERVOUS ABOUT HAVING THIS...again!!!!....i am one that tolerates pain well...for ex...i had kidney stones when i was pregnant, they(meaning drs. and nurses)...thought i was going into "early labor"...i was so scared about that..and the pain was almost.....i say almost...because NOW..i KNOW..what is unbearable pain.........i hope ALL goes well with yu, hon..and if you ever want to talk again..i have the bigggest shoulder to ....cry on, talk on, whatever you need to..on:)............i would love to hear from you again..and know how you are doing.....i sooooooooooooo hope well:)...cindi....

Patsy

5/16/09 6:28am

Hi Bill.....I am sooooo sorry you are in so much pain. I do know what chronic pain is as I suffer from nerve damage at L4 & L5. All my pain is in my feet and legs below my knees. It is savage!! I am now waiting for a permanent "spinal cord stimulator" implant. First you have a trial just to see if the stimulator will help you. My trial was just for 4 days(it can be longer) and I knew as soon as the stimulator was turned on I had to have one!! Instead of feeling pain I tingled!! The stimulator is not a cure....you trade one sensation(pain) for another(tingling). I will take the tingling any day!! I strongly reccomend you have the trial. People who have them love them. If your trial is a success then they do the permanent implant. A successful trial is if it reduces your pain by 50%. I was lucky....it reduced my pain 100%!! Most people get 70 to 80% relief. You will still have to take meds for break thru pain. Some people have both the "stimulator" and the pain pump. The leads for my stinulator was placed about half way up my spine. I have rods and screws at L4 & L5 and they were not a problem. Whare the leads are placed depends on what nerves are damaged and causing your pain. Again I strongley reccomend you have the truial. It does not work for everyone but you will only know when you have the trial. The permanent implant can be removed at any time. As with any surgery thare are risks. Infection is the main problem to watch for but you will be on antibotics. Everyone has to have a Physc evaluation. The insurance companies require it. It is nothibg to worry about. You will get a packet containing a DVD and information about the stimulator. Recovery tine is 6 to 8 weeks. You can't bend or stretch or twist because you have to wait for the surgery site ro scar over and hold the leads in place. Follow the Doctors orders closely. You do not want the leads ro slip out of place. I am sure you will be happy with your trial. As I said it is not a cure but is as close as you will get. I will be happy to help you with any questions you may have. I am very, very happy abut getting my stimulator implant!! Besr to you, Patsy

Diana

4/ 6/11 9:36am

I am having the trial done on Friday for the Spine Stimulator. I take so many pain meds, I am hoping to get off those. It goes in on Friday and out on Tuesday. How long is it until they put the real one in if the trial works?

SUNNY BROOK

7/ 7/12 3:32pm

I had the permanent spinal stimulator implant inserted in August of 2010. It has never worked right and I am now being scheduled to have it removed. Meanwhile since I had it implanted, I have quickly progressing neuropathy in my legs. My feet are cold all of the time and the bottom of my feet feel like I have wax or something on them. My legs are very weak and I have a hard time getting up and down and especially walking. The neuropathy was only diagnosed less than a year ago. That's why I feel like it's progressing quickly.

A little background information. I had my first herniated disc (L-5) in 1995. No surgery at first until 2003. In 2005 I had another herniation and it was the end of 2006 before I was able to have surgery. By that time it was spinal fusion of L-4 and L-5), yes a 2 level fusion which at that time were rare. I have continued to have progressively worsening pain. I am now on Hydrocodone-Apap 5/500; Neurontin (Gabapentin) 400 - 1 in am, 1 at midday and 2 at bedtime; and Cymbalta 60 mg.

I am a R.N. and have had to stop working and am now on disability. I am 54 years old.

Dana

5/19/09 6:58pm

Hi Bill

So sorry for all your pain, and I am sincere in that. I had the intrathical morphine pump implanted three yrs ago, and what a God send!!!! I have had many of the same procedures and medications with no relief, not until I had the implant. It was a life saving for me, I do not believe I would be here today, if i had not gotten relief.

ang_02

5/22/09 1:06am

I'm getting a crvical stemulator, hope it works.I'll let u know.

DA Bleck

4/20/10 9:39pm

Have had one for 5 yrs. never has worked, and good luck finding a doc that will remove it, I would advise NO ONE to have a nerve stimulator, do the trail, but yeah it was s=okay for 5 day's but not long term!! GL

Sally

6/27/10 5:58pm

What were your problems with the stimulator and why did it not work long term?

1/25/11 11:51am

I'm doing the stimulator implant trial right now i have not felt any releif, is this what happened to you?

La Rue Alegria

6/19/09 2:29am

Bill, I don't know if anyone has answered your question or not? I too am asking. Did you get any response at all on this question? I want to talk to patients who have had this implant. What it does from what i understand is stops the pain message from the nerves so they wont make it to the pain center in the brain. I had a failed spinal surgery rods, and screws in 02 have been in the pain form HELL every since.

I had Liz Taylor's Nurosurgeon what the HELL happened? I thought they were going to fix me. Yeah they fixed me all right. Well if you have found anyone out there in cyber space that has been able to answer this question please let me know.

I also have had fusion in neck, have another one to go through, have had collar bone swan down, shoulder impingement, knee done Orthoscopy, now the Lumbar sugery from hell after affects like my own personal Twin Towers...I know you know what that feels like. Its very overwhelming as well doing the shots which do not work at all, they keep wanting to do them yeah so it can pad their pocket books.

I do not want anymore shots either last time they knocked me out three mos ago and gave me six which helped for maybe three days but not all the way. And the prodecure itself being knocked out and pumped up with all that crap they pump in the spine made me feel very odd and very sickish...OH well hells belles. I v'e tried as well to end it. No one knows back pain like those of us who suffer with it.

Mine was called failes surgery syndrome. I have scar tissue that has grown over all the nerves in my lower lumbar and have scattered them. I told my P.T today in the hot pool for excercise I had a eight today on pain scale. A Ten as you know is E.R room or Hospital pain. I pushed all day long to do what I had to do. I take an invisible German Lugur and blow my brains out at least once a day in thought if not deed. LOL It helps even to pretend that I am gone and out of this hell.

Please feel free to E mail LaRueVanGogh@aol.com

PA-PAW

12/ 7/09 1:21am

just home frome spendig 68 days in hospital due to infection after having MEDTRONIC BACK STIMULATOR in back only 2 months. contacted MRSA INFECTION which damaged the spine.took out stimulator drained spine.the infectionhas caused right leg damage and neurgenic bladder and bowels . was once a very active 75 yr. old x marine now unable to get around.DR.said i died twice but it was amiracle they brought me back.TOLD them i had a lot of help from the man up above and old marines are fighters JUST WANT TO TELL ANYONE THINK TWICE BEFORE GETTING THIS PRCEDURE DONE.I WISH I WOULD NOT HAVE DONE IT.THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT MY ANGER.

william gibson

5/22/10 2:11pm

god bless you,i'mm 56 year old male, i have 2 mths to decide if i should have a sine stim. put in.im disable from fail lamanectomy sydrom.going on 6 yrs now.the dr. telling me that everything else i've had done.such as fussion on l4-l5 and othe procedures they have all failed. wheel chair mtorize chair.had to move to a bigger house to accomdate my needs ,because of being totally wheel chair bound.but yesday my pain mang.dr. said other being on narcotic for rest of my life. he gave me 2 mth. to concider a spine stim. would like you're oppinion.thank you.god bless you!

Betty Burchfield

9/17/11 11:04am

Pa Paw, is the Medtronic back stimulator the the same thing as "Stimulator implant of the spine? My sweet friend, Ron, is contemplating having that done. A surgeon messed up his back and he suffers from a pinched nerve. I found this group while searching the internet for information about the Stimulator implant.

After reading some of the experiences of some on this group, including you, PaPaw, seems like the general consensuos is "Don't have it done". I truly believe when surgeons start cutting on the back..... more problems occur.

I have Arthritis, Scoliois, osteoporosis and all surgeons I went to, told me I couldn't be cured and it seemed the only relief I could get was pain pills, injections (which didn't last long)

I couldn't stand up straight, couldn't climb stairs, get up off the floor and was in constant pain. I had a massager machine and that helped somewhat.

Went to my daughter's chiropractor who specializes in Orthospinology against my will. After 8 to 10 adjustments, I had no more pain. Dr. Briggs doesn't "crack the neck" with his hands....... he has a machine that is very exacting on the pain area.

Now, I can stand up straight, move my head from side to side and even priss likeI use to. Stress is a killer and I have noticed when I get stress, my back tightens up. Dr. Briggs gave me some stretch exercises and that relieves that.

I had a pinched nerve and it is no longer "pinched".

I'd like to hear from some of you if you have had as good an experience as Idid.

No drugs, no pain.......I feel like I have been set free. Dr. Briggs tel. no. is

1-877-BRIGGS in Huntsville Al. You can read about him on the web (James C. Briggs, D.C.) He may can lead you to the doctor in your areas that does the same method. Love to hear your opinion on this. Tell him "Goose sent you". lol.

Yes, that is one of my nicknames as so is "Little Reb". By the way,"Laughter is the Best Medicine". Goose

Ron Stuart

3/25/10 7:58pm

my name is Ron and i will be having an implant within a couple of weeks after reading your article im scared, but i know its the next step. my back isnt as bad as yours but i have had back issues since 2004 and being in pain for ever and take all the pain meds, they don't completely take the pain . my e-mail address is rkstuar@sbcglobal.net if you care to chat ok thanks ! i would like to talk to you if you have the time thanks ron

Sally

6/27/10 6:08pm

Did you have the neurostimulator implanted and if so did it help you? I have 2 weeks until I go to start the trial process but wanted to know how they do the surgery where did they put it and how did it go for you? Let me know if you don't mind sharing your information. Thanks

Sally

sallyeskridge@yahoo.com

buzz

3/26/10 1:00pm

i have and come monday iam getting a newer version it works and stay strong dont go do sometihng that going to hurt others. it will help take it from me it works. i have chronic pain and its real bad i have had 11 surgies please try it you will see its help god bless Rob

DA Bleck

4/20/10 9:20pm

I have had a nerve stimulator implanted in my back, had tried everything like u have tried, my advice DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!! It's uncofortable, never worked, u can get the same results with a Tens unit, that's all it is but inplanted in ur bacc, And the people that sell them, will promise u the world, mine cost over 60,000.00, and it wasn't even surgery, I am going to have mine removed, because after it was installed my legs started swelling up, and I devolped Lymphderma in my legs (where ur legs swell so bad ur skin splits, and was hospitalized 4 times from my legs)!! We are not 100% sure this is the cause, but I truely believe it is!! And I will sue the company for a lot of money for the pain it's caused) My Doctor has 3 other patients with the same problems!!!! Please think about it, because once it's in, it's really hard to find a docter to take it out, It pinches ur skin, and I lost 100 pounds, so now the extra skin around it gets caught on the round disc that is Implanted!!!! I beg u not to have it done without researching it!!! And the company that installs them, will bug u tell ur blue in the face, If I was smart I would of reseached it, but like u, I was in so much pain, I would do anything, taking all the weight off has helped, but now I have a hip that needs replaced, right around the sight of the stimulator, The charger was just recalled, they sent me a new one, but I have not even tried to use it!!!! I stick with Painmanagement, and it helps me fine for now!!!!! Please don't take ur life, U just need a good doctor that will get u on a painmangement with low doses of moraphine time released meds!!! If u need anymore info my E-mail address is debleck@hotmail.com!!!! Best wishes!!!! I came to this site looking for people that are having problems, and I saw ur blog, and just wanted to help!!!

DA Bleck

4/20/10 9:31pm

Don't do the stimulator, costs a fortune, doesn't work, and the people that manufacuture them, will hound u like a dog, promising u the world, Mine has already been recalled with the charger, don't do it!!! Mine cost 60,000.00 to put in!!! NO doctor should of ever taken u off medicine, U could of died!!! I'd sue that doctor for everything he had, u have to wean a patient off, I'm sure the withdrawls were a nighmire!!! If u want more info, just write me, GL

Gloria

7/13/10 10:36am

I have had the back stimulator done. It works now I am pain free. And I also know others that have had it and it works.

Go for it.

Hugs and Blessings to you.

m. benton

10/24/10 12:32am

i would also like to know if anyone has had success with the stimulator. my dr. is trying to talk me into it and i just may because of the intensity of my pain...

lets hope someone will reply.

thanks much

kelly

10/25/10 9:24pm

bill my name is kelly and i knowyour pain i am getting the pain stimulator not a pain pump and if i were you thats one rout i would take also not the morf. i hate that stuff my pain level is always a 789 and this stimulator should cut it back by at least half i have done research on it i do suggest you do the same before you take more drugs i also am on the drugs trust me im in very serious pain every day of my life and im only 44 i was42 when it happened to me but research pain stimulator there are doctors that place them in your back and its a stimulation to trick your brain im getting mine in this november i wish you best of luck god be with you bill

11/ 4/10 7:45pm

Hi Bill,

I feel sorry for you pain, but you're not alone on this world, i was suffer for this chronic pain over 2 years now and still getting more and more each day. I have had 2 surgeries done on my neck, about 6 steriods injection and tried so many different medications was not help me much.The only temp. relief is PT, accupunture, exercise and work harder to overcome the pain plus using TEN unit and hot pads but that the only solution for me over a year but i am 51ys old now and i don't know how much longer i could hang on to do this ...So i was see Drs last week and they talked about stimulation implant and may be my next treatment is going to be that make me little scare to bring me to this search. I feel little delight for my pain now because your pain was the horrible one, but please don't give up on it.

I am going to do more search and talk to more friends to see anyone has experience, anyways good luck to all !!!

kate

12/ 7/10 9:05pm

Yes I have the stimulator. My back is simular to yours. I also was on the patch and all the other meds. I first had the "test" to make sure it worked for me. It did. Now after a year I still have it and use it. My mind wants all the pain to go-but my body still goes into spasms and pain. I also have neuropathy and ms

Kate

Kendyl

2/16/11 7:49pm

Hi. Ive had 5 low back surgeries over the past year and a half, including 2 fusions with rods, pins, screws. I was beginning to think that I was up for a lifetime of chronic pain and depression, even with the pain meds (which didnt work anymore) and the many injections. So we tried the trial of the neurostimulator (one week) and it went well. I had the permanent implant put in two weeks ago. I can honestly say (after you give it about 5 days for the new incisions to stop burning) that my pain has decreased by about 80%, maybe more. Im down to only one pain pill a day for breakthrough pain. Its an individual choice with pros and cons..so discuss it with your neurosurgeon (not just a pain doctor) and see. But I highly recommend it. Im only 37 and I look forward to getting back to playing with my kids and teaching dance again. Good luck.

jaime

3/31/12 8:47am

I had the triel stimulator done on this tuesday and on friday morning i started to get sap from the unit.I call the rep and com. and they told me some one will call me soon because the leads could have moved or the unit mite need to be ajusted.

I am not happy it's the only thing I can have done, no surgery can help me so I'm in pain until monday that I'm going to my DR's office to let him now.It seems like it didn't work for me but it could work for you won't now until you try it. You have nothing to lose.

rodgersBswaggin

6/28/12 5:04pm

I am 1 week off my 5th spinal cord stim. I highly suggest it, I would not of needed so many but I broke iron thedoor. This one is different, they did a triple laminotomy to get it to sit aright on the spinal cord. The other kind is less invasive and outpatient. Did you see dr. Lisak by chance? I feel for you, I haves ouch post surgery pain that the meds won't touch it. Send me your contact info and I will write more when I can.

rodgersBswaggin

6/28/12 5:12pm

Whatever you do, interview docs and get the best, ask for the chief of neuro surgery and meet with him or her. A couple docs wanTed to do a fusion and CSS implanted version at the same time,,,, I think indeed to start a site for pain, just don't know how. I havE had rad for over 10 years and my stim was implanted last week after bone was removed, muscle was cut as well as fat,etc everything between the skin and the spinal cord itself. It hurts to type so I will have to help you guys a little at a time.

Marvin

1/12/13 6:58pm

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Q: HAS ANYONE EVER HAD THE "STIMULATOR IMPLANT OF THE SPINE? OR THE MORPHINE PUMP IMPLANT? DID IT WORK?

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