Re: nerve stimulator trial

[Guest guest]

Mine was very expensive. Does he wake you up to try and get your help to

position the leads? That's what they did with me.

Total Bill first time 7K, second time 44K. But that was at s Hopkins so I'm

sure it's cheaper other places. Just a couple of points I don't like:

You can tell this is a first generation device. The leads should be smart enough

to adjust the settings automatically when you are moving your spine.

Also the fact that you must hold the thing up to your back to change settings is

ridiculous. Wireless should just work. I know they have that extension you can

put against your back to see your settings, but that's not good enough.

Keep me in touch. I will keep you in prayer.

> Becky wrote:

> Just finished my week long stimulator trial and just was not happy with

results. The doctor is still hopeful that it may work for me

> and wants to wait a month and try again placing the lead In different place in

my head. I probably will agree to it as I'm like that horse being shown the

carrot and will almost try anything that promises pain relief.

[Guest guest]

Hi Becky,

I'm sorry you weren't happy with the results of your week long stimulator

trial!  I hope that it does start to work for you throughout the next month!  I

think we all can relate to pretty much trying almost anything for pain relief

since chronic pain is definitly a difficult and challenging thing to live with. 

Gentle distant hugs!

Love,

Becky in NM

Becky H wrote:

Just finished my week long stimulator trial and just was not happy with

results.  The doctor is still hopeful that it may work for me

and wants to wait a month and try again placing the lead In different place in

my head.  I probably will agree to it as I'm like that horse being shown the

carrot and will almost try anything that promises pain relief.

[Guest guest]

I start my week long trial on July 6th. Is the procedure painful? I heard of

people needing Fentanyl in addition to their regular meds for a day or two. Is

this true? Will I be able to go upstairs? Any advice you all can give me will

be GREATLY appreciated!

S

> Becky H wrote:

> Just finished my week long stimulator trial and just was not happy with

results. The doctor is still hopeful that it may work for me

and wants to wait a month and try again placing the lead In different place in

my head. I probably will agree to it as I'm like that horse being shown the

carrot and will almost try anything that promises pain relief.

[Guest guest]

Not everyone has discomfort on top of existing pain with the stimulator, at

least not past the first couple of days, and once the stim is implanted, as I

understand it, and you heal, that discomfort will be gone and all you'll have is

whatever relief you'll get. I got a lot of relief from my trial, at least on

the herniated disk, not so much on the RSD, so they want to go ahead with my

stim implantation. Before I do that, I'm going to get a second opinion from a

Pain clinic (I have an appointment Monday) to see what they say. I think it's

important for everyone to take every option into

consideration and make an informed decision.

I'm sorry the stim didn't help you

Marta

> Becky wrote:

> Just finished my week long stimulator trial and just was not happy with

results.

[Guest guest]

The implantation itself is not that bad, but they did have me bring in Fent in

addition to the relaxing meds they give you in the office. The first 24 hours

are painful, I won’t lie.

It was difficult sleeping, because I’m a back sleeper, but I also couldn’t

sleep on the side that the leads were on; and I’m too big busted to sleep on

my stomach. The pain the first 24 hours did have me taking more muscle relaxers

and my IR pain meds. The second day I took some extra, but after the first 48

hours, I was on my normal meds. The second day was better at the implantation

site. The third day and on, it was irritating, but not that bad.

The stim did help my herniated disk, and helped a little with the RSD in my

right foot/leg/hip. I climbed stairs as I always do, though I admit that I

don’t have a lot of stairs. You just have to be careful not to twist much,

because you could move the lead a bit and the stim might not work as well.

Let me know if I can help at all. My stim trial was just last month, so it’s

pretty fresh in my mind, LOL.

Marta

> S wrote:

> I start my week long trial on July 6th. Is the procedure painful? I heard of

people needing Fentanyl in addition to their regular meds for a day or two. Is

this true? Will I be able to go upstairs? Any advice you all can give me will be

GREATLY appreciated!

[Guest guest]

,

The procedure was not painful to me except when the doctor hit the area where he

placed the lead. Then it only hurt for a short time.

When I got home, I got the worse migraine I've had in awhile but if you don't

have those normally you probably won't now. The doctor did not give me any extra

pain meds during the week and I did not need them. I already am on fentanyl

patches and percocet.

Mostly, I was just uncomfortable as it didn't work right and also, because the

lead ran the entire back of my head so I could not sleep. Because of where mine

was, I could not wash my hair or shower for the week.

I was allowed to do stairs but no bending over, raising my arms up high, or

lifting anything heavier than 5 pounds. The doctor should go over all the

restrictions with you. You will probably do fine. My advice is try it if you

can. If it works, the week of discomfort is very much worth it.

Please let us know how you do.

Becky

[Guest guest]

I wanted to try this to help with my pain. I am realist and understand the

spinal cord stimulator doesn't eliminate the pain but can help mask it. Anything

like you said promising relief sounds like a miracle to anyone in severe pain

daily.

I was willing to try this and it seamed promising especially after you watch the

dvd they give you and how people are medication free and able to control their

pain and most of all get their life back.

What any of us wouldn't give to do what we used to or want to be able to with

our lives. I miss the physical activities. I was told however by the pain

management specialist that this device wouldn't work well for me unfortunately.

I was upset I had insurance that wouldn't pay but 80% of the procedure but when

I found out I wasn't a good candidate actually pleased me a little know I wasn't

missing out because I couldn't afford it.

Additionally my primary care doctor said his patients only receive some benefit

from the device and it does have its ups and downs. I hope that this works for

you and can be the miracle and /or pipe dream we're all hoping for.

Best of wishes

W

> Becky wrote:

> Just finished my week long stimulator trial and just was not happy with

results.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Marta! That helps a lot. I will keep you in mind. I knew someone on this

group just had the trial, but could not remember

who. LOL

I'm only on Oxycodone. Do you think I should ask for muscle relaxers also? My

doc is very good about giving me what I ask for.

Are you going to get the permanent implant?

S

>Marta wrote:

>The stimulator did help my herniated disk, and helped a little with the RSD in

my right foot/leg/hip. I climbed stairs as I always do, though I admit that I

don't have a lot of stairs. You just have to be careful not to twist much,

because you could move the lead a bit and the stimulator might not work as well.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Becky. I will keep everyone updated. I am so afraid to even have any hope

after all the other failed procedures.

I am praying to get a little sleep! I wake up about every 2 hours for as long as

I remember. I am a side sleeper, so I hope for at least a good night or two!

Thanks for the input.

S*************

>Becky wrote:

>,

>The procedure was not painful to me except when the doctor hit the area where

he placed the lead. Then it only hurt for a short time.

When I got home, I got the worse migraine I've had in awhile but if you don't

have those normally you probably won't now. The doctor did not give me any extra

pain meds during the week and I did not need them. I already am on fentanyl

patches and percocet.

Mostly, I was just uncomfortable as it didn't work right and also, because the

lead ran the entire back of my head so I could not sleep. Because of where mine

was, I could not wash my hair or shower for the week.