Spinal Stimulator, internal placement for lower back pain relief

Ben Jefferson

Ben Jefferson

Well-Known Member
Benefactor
Life Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2019
Messages
5,942
Location
Sophia, NC
Rating - 100%
8   0   0
Has anyone had a spinal stimulator implanted for pain relief?

I have run the gamut of pain relief methods over the last 10 years. Pain medications went from Ibuprofen to Tramadol to several different types an strengths of Oxy to about 5 years of Fentnyl in graduating upward strengths. I've had therapy, a 5 layer laminectomy and about 5 sessions of steroid injections in L5-L1 joints. Recently a 5 place nerve ablation on each side of the spine.

Anyway, this is getting very old and they are offering me to try an implanted stimulator to apply electrical pulses to cancel out the pain signals from the arthritis build up and stenosis. I would like to be able to walk any distance again.

I'm asking if anyone has had this procedure and what the outcome was for them or a family member. The process of implantation doesn't look like a bunch of fun.
 
I have not. Do they go in from the front?
 
See if they can do a trial implant
the trial didn't do anything for my wife even though they adjusted it a few times trying different protocols and locations. they wound up just taking it back out and giving her a pain killer pump.
 
DrScaryGuy said:
See if they can do a trial implant
the trial didn't do anything for my wife even though they adjusted it a few times trying different protocols and locations. they wound up just taking it back out and giving her a pain killer pump.
Click to expand...

Yessir, will do a week long trial.

I may be overly optomistic, but tired of hurting!!!!!
 
You story sound somewhat like mine. I recently had 2 surgical consults and they both recommended this. After doing my own research I said NO WAY. Way too many down sides. Infections, repeat procedures because the wires "migrate", electrical shocks causing more damage, people winding up worse than before. And not isolated incidents. There is a lot of info especially about how much doctors make from the manufacturers for pushing the procedure. This is not to say some aren't helped with successful procedures, but for me, not worth the risk. Do the research. Don't take the doctors word for it.
 
Last edited:
Neighbor had to have his removed. In other news, my MIL's pain management doc is trying to force her into it by threatening to cut off her pain meds (she's a wreck- broken neck, shoulder & knee replacements, the works) if she doesn't. Lovely how .gov meddling in health care is working out.
 
Met with the doc today! I've got a few days to consider this thing

Have a bunch of reading to do but if I got 50% improvement I would probably be a happy camper.I

I'm tired of drugs and gotta do something!
 
My son has had one for about a year now.
Made a rel difference in him.
 
I met a woman on the elevator as I was leaving that pulled her remote control out of her purse and started pushing buttons.

I asked if she had one and she smiled. Said it was the best thing that's ever happened to her.

I know you csn always talk about bad outcomes, but WTF can't get screwed up. Shit, I was in the Marine Corps for almost 24 years. I could've been a whole lot more comfortable if I joined the Air Force too!








But, at least I knew who both my parents were!
 
Get ahold of the boston Scientific dvd about the stimulator. the gal on there is actually my go to girl about having it done. The dvd is some really good Info and boston has the best reviews of any available.
 
LeeMajors said:
Get ahold of the boston Scientific dvd about the stimulator. the gal on there is actually my go to girl about having it done. The dvd is some really good Info and boston has the best reviews of any available.
Click to expand...

thanks will do!

I have 2 or 3 dvds of different manufacturers to think about.
 
My friend in Winston-Salem is having one put in Tuesday. He was injured in the Middle East. I’ll let you know how it goes for him next week.
 
I looked at the hf10. The Boston Scientific had better stellar ratings. and the rep from there actually has one as wel .
 
My very good friend and band mate had this done last year. He went from about a 19 on the 1-10 pain scale to about a 6. He was back playing drums in around 4 to 5 months. Still wears a brace when he needs to, but it’s made a big difference for him. Best of luck to you!
 
LeeMajors said:
I looked at the hf10. The Boston Scientific had better stellar ratings. and the rep from there actually has one as wel .
Click to expand...

The doc gave me a choice of which one to use.

The BS was one of 4 that were the possible candidates. Tricare of Medicare didn't matter.

He seems to believe that the HF10 will most likely do the best job for my pain and since I fixed airplanes for a living, and he fixes people for a living, I will trust him. I have the option to try another if this does not do the job. That would still be better than the way things are now!
 
Did you do this? Results? I'm again being pushed in this direction.
 
Ive never had one but i did have severe back pain and used the oxy and fentanyl methods. The addiction/withdraws that comes from those made the pain seem like the least of my worries. Got off that crap and am managing with physical therapy/stretching and ib profin. Back problems will cripple you in day to day life and there can be very poor quality of life. Im sorry to hear your suffering and i hope you find something that works for you. My heart goes out to those with back pain...Really awful stuff. Good luck to you sir, you're in my prayers tonight.
 
Dad had one. Complete waste of time, energy, and money. The apparently released some spinal fluid when taking it out and he was completely miserable for several days with blindingly bad head aches... skip it
 
Thanks for the reply's. I'm going to pass on it right now. Research tells me the odds of success are not good enough, even when they declare it a success it doesn't give enough relief, and way too many stories of all kinds of problems. If it gets worse, I'll reevaluate.
 
DrDover said:
Dad had one. Complete waste of time, energy, and money. The apparently released some spinal fluid when taking it out and he was completely miserable for several days with blindingly bad head aches... skip it
Click to expand...


Just had number 8 or 9 of spinal injections. Have had headaches before but nothing that lasted more than a day until this last one. Three days after this one and Ibuprofen had not touched it. Doc called in Butalbital W/APAP & CAFF (don't ask me that is what is written on the bottle). First pill I took knocked the headache out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom