Re: Spinal Cord stimulator

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Hi. I just wanted to let you know that I have had a good
experience with an implanted neurostimulator. I crushed two
nerves in my left foot on September 5, 2005. I went from
doctor to doctor while they tried to figure out what I had.
I was diagnosed with Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome in April
of 2006 and told there was no cure, only measures to help
deal with the pain. I was also told that this disease can
spread, which it has. I went through months of horrible
sympathetic nerve blocks in my back which I was allergic to.
All through this time, I was trying to go to school to
become a Medical Assistant. I found out a week before
graduation, in May, that I was Permenantly disabled at the
ripe old age of 32! I got transfered to a wonderful pain
doctor in Wausau Wisconsin who helped me out. I had the
trial done in June with wonderful results! I had the full
implant done on July 31, 2006! It was the best thing because
it worked just as good as the trial.

In December of 2007, I had one of my two leads slip. This
was due to me moving wrong and I broke an anchor. I went
back to my doctor and just had a lead revision on February
27, 2008. Without my neurostimulator, I would be crippled
and confined to a wheelchair by the age of 42. This was not
something I want to happen! I have three kids age 16, 13,
and 9. I can't be confined to a wheelchair!

I don't know how much experience your Physicians had with
implanting these things, or how much research you did before
deciding to get one. I did a lot of research before getting
it because of all the risks involved. I have some problems
with mine. I can't fully empty my bladder with my stimulator
on, I do have some pain where the wires and battery pack
are, and I do get dizzy sometimes when I turn it off. I tell
you what though....I would rather deal with all that than be
depressed not being able to do anything because of the
severe pain I am in without it.

I am very sorry that all of you have had negative
experiences with spinal cord stimulators. It sucks to hurt,
trust me, I know! I just wanted to let you know that there
are positive experiences too. If you want to ask me any
questions, feel free. My doctor even has patients who are
thinking about getting this call me first since I was his
first patient to get this thing!