Dorsal Column Spinal Cord Stimulator

[maw19531]

I saw my surgeon last friday after being released in Dec, 07 and put at MMI on that date. I have been in constant burning pain throughout my back , legs and feet and having stabbing pains in my lower back with numbness off and on in my legs and feet. My work comp insurance company wanted to try and settle the case and I have been working with a vocational rehab person for the past several months. I went back to my old employer for 12 hours per week and I am in severe pain doing that and taking my heavy dose of drugs. My surgeon wants an evaluation for this spinal cord stimulator. He feels that with the nerve damange I have it may be the only thing left that may give me at least 50% relief from pain and help me to get off a good portion of my drugs if it works right. The pain clinic he is sending me to is in Wisconsin. I live in Illinois. He personally knows the doctor at this clinic and feels very confident in him dealing with these stimulators. It's about 85 miles from my home. I am going to go for the evaluation but I really must give a lot of thought before I do any more surgery to my body. After 2 surgeries and 9 epidurals and nerve blocks , I am in worse shape today than I was at the time of my accident in 2004. I am really afraid to do any more cutting into my spine with more scar tissue. The only good thing is that if it does work I may be able to get off some of these drugs.

[sparkey]

I am in the same boat as you Maw. I have been offered a stimulator and a ganglion block. I have had the facet joint injections/procedure with no luck. I am going to my doctors on friday and have a feeling she is going to set up my ganglion block that day. My husband is very upset with me doing this as he thinks that maybe the facet joint procedure made me worse. He thinks that I should not have anyone poking and proding around anymore.

I told him that is my last hope to be pain free. Although my doctor states that I will never be pain free, just less pain, and more functional. It is a big decision on what to do and only YOU can make this choice. Get as much info as you can before you go and weigh the consequences. You will know what is best for you.

Good luck.

[scc1988]

Don't do it, I have a spinal cord stimulator and its nothing but a 100% of pain that you don't want. Its a quick fix to a never ending problems. the insurance company will settle for less than what you want and need. Tell your Dr, you want a operation to fix and repair your back. Again, don't do it.
I saw my surgeon last friday after being released in Dec, 07 and put at MMI on that date. I have been in constant burning pain throughout my back , legs and feet and having stabbing pains in my lower back with numbness off and on in my legs and feet. My work comp insurance company wanted to try and settle the case and I have been working with a vocational rehab person for the past several months. I went back to my old employer for 12 hours per week and I am in severe pain doing that and taking my heavy dose of drugs. My surgeon wants an evaluation for this spinal cord stimulator. He feels that with the nerve damange I have it may be the only thing left that may give me at least 50% relief from pain and help me to get off a good portion of my drugs if it works right. The pain clinic he is sending me to is in Wisconsin. I live in Illinois. He personally knows the doctor at this clinic and feels very confident in him dealing with these stimulators. It's about 85 miles from my home. I am going to go for the evaluation but I really must give a lot of thought before I do any more surgery to my body. After 2 surgeries and 9 epidurals and nerve blocks , I am in worse shape today than I was at the time of my accident in 2004. I am really afraid to do any more cutting into my spine with more scar tissue. The only good thing is that if it does work I may be able to get off some of these drugs.
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