Guest guest Posted December 22, 2008 Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 I thought I would be able to get off the meds after the stimulator and I did initially but started back on them after about 6 months. I justify it by telling myself how much worse I would feel without the stimulator. Because if I let it run down and shut off, I do feel worse even though I'm still taking meds. So I guess my pain or what's causing my pain has continued to get worse. This is my reasoning. I don't know if there really is an answer as to whether you're taking too much meds.....if you're in pain, you're in pain. And I don't buy in to the " we're drug addicts " thing. I tell people to walk in my shoes for one day and then tell me I'm an addict. Take Care, B. in TEXAS ________________________________ From: cobranine <cobranine@...> Stimulator Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2008 7:13:03 PM Subject: How do you decide ? There is alot of people with the stimulator or the Pump, I would like to know what made you decide to get eather. Was it the oral meds dose getting to high or not working, but there is some with the stim. @ pump and still take oral meds. I don't know what to do, is takeing 240 mg of morphine @ 40 mg of oxy alot in one day ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2008 Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 For me the reason to look for something else to give me more stable relief for my pain was not getting any kind of consistent relief from the pain meds. I also got really tired of only getting temporary relief from the injections that the doctor was doing. It was like riding a roller coaster up one day and down the next. It seemed that I would be feeling decent for a few weeks after some of the procedures only to have the pain return. To me emotionally it was more devestating each time that happened. It was worse when I had had any kind of relief or peaceful exsistence then to have the pain return with a vengance. So I was happy to look at the SCS when the doctor mentioned it. I was NOT convinced that this was for me however. I had to do a LOT of looking asking around and researching before I decided that this was what would help me or had the best chance of helping me have a modicum of consistent pain relief. HTH How do you decide ? There is alot of people with the stimulator or the Pump, I would like to know what made you decide to get eather. Was it the oral meds dose getting to high or not working, but there is some with the stim. @ pump and still take oral meds. I don't know what to do, is takeing 240 mg of morphine @ 40 mg of oxy alot in one day ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2008 Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 I would have to say my Dr made the decision,, He never talked about the pump, My Dr doesnt like giving out high powered stuff... I have the scs.. I love it !! He has now taken me off of Lyrica.. The pain is comming back.. I see him again on Jan 5 so we will see... Merry Christmas !!! Good luck with ever you choose.. soft hugs T lisa From: cobranine <cobranine@...> Subject: How do you decide ? Stimulator Date: Sunday, December 21, 2008, 8:13 PM There is alot of people with the stimulator or the Pump, I would like to know what made you decide to get eather. Was it the oral meds dose getting to high or not working, but there is some with the stim. @ pump and still take oral meds. I don't know what to do, is takeing 240 mg of morphine @ 40 mg of oxy alot in one day ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2008 Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 I didn't like the fact that I felt like I was a yoyo. I would take a pain med and gradually feel alright only to have the med wear off in a couple of hours and then have to wait until it was time to take another pill. On and on. With the pump my meds are delivered 24/7 and therefore I don't go up and down all of the time. I average approx. 2 pain pills per month. Dorothy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2008 Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 That must be so nice. I hate taking pills and I wear the Duragesic patch. I wish I could stop all of it. Take Care, B. in TEXAS ________________________________ From: Dorothy Ratz <dotratz@...> Stimulator Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 3:40:32 PM Subject: Re: How do you decide ? I didn't like the fact that I felt like I was a yoyo. I would take a pain med and gradually feel alright only to have the med wear off in a couple of hours and then have to wait until it was time to take another pill. On and on. With the pump my meds are delivered 24/7 and therefore I don't go up and down all of the time. I average approx. 2 pain pills per month. Dorothy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2008 Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 I also wear duregesic patch and take oxy ir 5 3 day and have stimulator and still suffer with pain. mike group owner > > That must be so nice. I hate taking pills and I wear the Duragesic patch. I wish I could stop all of it. > > > Take Care, > B. in TEXAS > > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Dorothy Ratz <dotratz@...> > Stimulator > Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 3:40:32 PM > Subject: Re: How do you decide ? > > I didn't like the fact that I felt like I was a yoyo. I would take a pain med and gradually feel alright only to have the med wear off in a couple of hours and then have to wait until it was time to take another pill. On and on. With the pump my meds are delivered 24/7 and therefore I don't go up and down all of the time. I average approx. 2 pain pills per month. > > Dorothy > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2008 Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 I started out with 1 stimulator. About 2 years later I got my 2nd stimulator. The RSD was spreading! As of Dec. 9, 2008, I have the pump. If I had known what I know now I would have just gotten the pump to start with. I do run both of the simulators along with my internal pump. It is really between you and your doctor determining what the best you are a candidate for.. Just my 2 cents. ===================== Posted through Grouply, the better way to access your like this one. http://www.grouply.com/?code=post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2008 Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 I guess we just need to keep telling ourselves how much worse it would be without the SCS. Because if we're still having pain and having to use the extras, we'd probably be going out of our mind with pain!! Take Care, B. in TEXAS ________________________________ From: Mike <mike2boys@...> Stimulator Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 5:36:54 PM Subject: Re: How do you decide ? I also wear duregesic patch and take oxy ir 5 3 day and have stimulator and still suffer with pain. mike group owner > > That must be so nice. I hate taking pills and I wear the Duragesic patch. I wish I could stop all of it. > > > Take Care, > B. in TEXAS > > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Dorothy Ratz <dotratz@...> > Stimulator > Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 3:40:32 PM > Subject: Re: How do you decide ? > > I didn't like the fact that I felt like I was a yoyo. I would take a pain med and gradually feel alright only to have the med wear off in a couple of hours and then have to wait until it was time to take another pill. On and on. With the pump my meds are delivered 24/7 and therefore I don't go up and down all of the time. I average approx. 2 pain pills per month. > > Dorothy > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 I have a SCS because nothing else worked for my RSD pain. My pm doctor tried blocks, meds, etc. and nothing helped. The meds made me a zombie in pain and I hated it. I started having chronic pain when 15, was diagnosed with RSD at 16, and at 24 got a SCS because I needed pain relief so I could get my life back. Now, I'm 28 and don't know how I lived without my SCS from age 15-24. > > There is alot of people with the stimulator or the Pump, I would > like to know what made you decide to get eather. Was it the oral meds > dose getting to high or not working, but there is some with the stim. @ > pump and still take oral meds. I don't know what to do, is takeing 240 > mg of morphine @ 40 mg of oxy alot in one day ? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 I hated being on the strong meds. I basically stayed in bed all day or was in " zombie mode " as we call it around here. I felt I am too young (32) to miss out on everything and I was missing my kids growing up (they are 15 and 12). My doctors had me do the stimulator trial and I loved it. No it didnt take everything away but enough that I could tough it out and go to lower doses or strength medication. I now take Lyrica (when needed), Darvocet and Requip. I wanted to be able to get out and drive, exercise and make my daughter's softball, marching band and track events. I can do that now even though I still have bad days I feel much better not being a " zombie " everyday. Cherese > > There is alot of people with the stimulator or the Pump, I would > like to know what made you decide to get eather. Was it the oral meds > dose getting to high or not working, but there is some with the stim. @ > pump and still take oral meds. I don't know what to do, is takeing 240 > mg of morphine @ 40 mg of oxy alot in one day ? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 That sounds Great and good luck. I have heard that term feeling like a > > > > There is alot of people with the stimulator or the Pump, I would > > like to know what made you decide to get eather. Was it the oral meds > > dose getting to high or not working, but there is some with the stim. > @ > > pump and still take oral meds. I don't know what to do, is takeing 240 > > mg of morphine @ 40 mg of oxy alot in one day ? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 I have 2 SCS's my pain has spread all over. They are really the best thing to start with. (if your doctor ays your a candidate) My SCS's got to where they were not working as well as in the begining. I just got the pump on Dec 9. It got me completly off the oral pain meds. I feel so much better. My pain was right at a 10 and now it is a 4. We are still bumping the meds up but some of the side effects from the oral meds have gone away. I wish now I had done the pump instead of another SCS. If my recovery continues we are going to remove both of them. Read, investigate and ask tons of questions. Do you know which manufacturer your doctor uses. My SCS's are and my pump is Medtronics. I wish you luck in whatever you decide. If I can help, let me know. Gentle Hugs, Jen ===================== Posted through Grouply, the better way to access your like this one. http://www.grouply.com/?code=post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Hi Cherese, My name is Kathy Sweet I use to have am SCS but I had mine removed because it know longer worked for me, it was ok for the first year but after that I had to start taking more and more pain medication just to function so I opt for mine to be removed. Now I am on so many medications that I am like a zombie like you said I am on a Fentenyl patch 100mcg every 48 hours Morphine quick release every 6 hours, Topamax 4 x aday, Cymbalta 2 x aday, Baclofen 4 x a day and I am still in pain always. I spent most my time in bed or laying on the couch, I feel like my life is passing me by. But soon I will have the Pain Pump put in and I will be off the heavy pain pills, I had my trial and it was wonderful you don't get all fuzzy headed like you do on the pills and you get some pain releif with none of that buzzing going on in your body like the SCS does. My PM doctor is going to put 3 medacations in my pump I will have Bupicaine,Morphine and Baclofen so that will take away from 3 of the strongest meds I take. Well that is my opinion on the whole SCS vs Pump I hope I help you if you have any question feel free to e-mail me anytime. Keep On Smiling Kathy Sweet > > > > There is alot of people with the stimulator or the Pump, I would > > like to know what made you decide to get eather. Was it the oral meds > > dose getting to high or not working, but there is some with the stim. > @ > > pump and still take oral meds. I don't know what to do, is takeing 240 > > mg of morphine @ 40 mg of oxy alot in one day ? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Cherese: I called it being a " zombie " to. That's all pain meds did for me. They turned me into a painful zombie that slept 16-18 hours a day and I felt awful the remaining part of the day. Like you I was young (24 then, 28 now). I felt like I was missing out on life until my SCS was implanted. I loved the trial and couldn't wait for the permanent SCS. > > > > There is alot of people with the stimulator or the Pump, I would > > like to know what made you decide to get eather. Was it the oral meds > > dose getting to high or not working, but there is some with the stim. > @ > > pump and still take oral meds. I don't know what to do, is takeing 240 > > mg of morphine @ 40 mg of oxy alot in one day ? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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