August 24th, 2004
3 weeks ago on this blog I documented the trial of the stimulator (look under medical). Today was the day to have the surgery. All went well with the procedure and I’m home already.
The surgery took longer than expected and I had to be awake for everything except the battery implant. Not going to keep anything from anyone, it was a very painful, uncomfortable morning but I was prepared for that.
Why talk about this on the dhadm blog? It’s as much part of me as my spinal stimulator and it’s really cool technology. The use of electrical stimuli is becoming very common.
I will keep posting in regards to my implant. So far, so good.
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12 Responses to “Spinal Cord Stimulator is installed”
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Where is your pain? What was the result? From what I read, It seems to work for lower back pain, mine is in the neck area.
I had a Medtronic Stimulator implant in 1997 for severe occipital head and cervical neck pain. It did create a distraction from the pounding headaches and neck pain .However I began to have discomfort under my arm where the battery was and requested to have the device removed .I was told that my insurance company would have a fit if they removed it since it cost so much to put in.In any event I suffered with lymph nodes swelling and breast pain/chest pain for another 3 years.This year I developed a severe infection under my arm that ran the track of the wires going to my head.I was hospitalized with a high fever and the next day my NEW pain Dr.removed the entire device.According to him the wires in my neck and head had broken in many pieces and apparently the tissue irritation caused the ending infection.
My final thoughts~ take your meds,injections but I would never have this done to me again if given the chance to do over.The benefits were not that great if at all.
I had a Boston Scientific stimulator implanted on 12-21-07. It’s now March 08′ and I have the worst pain at the battery site. My incisions are identical to the above pictures. The battery has fallen and is no longer in the “pocket” they dug out for it. It was sutured in, but obviously they didn’t work. The doctor caught a nerve when he sutured my spinal incision, now I have permanent nerve pain in my back across my shoulder blade to my ribs that the stimulator won’t be able to cover. The battery is causing major irritation, and I’m still swollen 3 months later. My doctor dropped me, and Boston Scientific won’t step up and help me find someone to go in and fix the fallen battery. It is rubbing against my pelvic bone. It hurts so damn BAD!! I can’t lay on my back, or lean back in a chair. I never got any PT after my collar came off. I was in it for 9 weeks. My stimulator was implanted in my c-spine for arm, shoulder, neck and face pain.
Ginger, sorry to hear you are having issues also. I hope it gets better for you soon, pain is a very hard thing to deal with and even harder to manage. It’s too bad that the solution can cause even more of it.
You might want to also read this post: http://www.dhadm.com/content/my-life-under-the-knife-dealing-with-chronic-pain/
Lots of comments so you don’t feel alone.
Thank you for posting commnets, very few places out there to talk about this specific issue.
i had spinal cord stim implanted in march of 08 at first it was wonderful. about three weeks into it i started to get stimulation in my stomach. it was annoying at first then it started to cause problems with eating and making me feel sea sick most of the time. i met with the reps from boston sci and they said that all 16 trigger points were getting my stomach they advised me to keep it off until dr gets x-ray then after having off for about a week the battery site became very sensative to the point that i couldn’t sit in a chair or lie on my back. About the second week the pain was so bad i was hospitalized for a week because my blood pressure was sky high from the pain. i would not recomend one of these stimulators to anyone so many doctors told me when i was hospitalized that they are over rated and they cause more problems in the long run. well i get this god forsaken torchor device out of me this week but now i’ll be back to step one with chronic lower lumbar pain
I had an ONS implanted in Nov 07. A few weeks in the wires popped through the scar in my neck…the doctor closed it back
up only to have it pop out again a few weeks later. The leads were removed in my neck while I was on heavy antibiotics to save
the battery/stimulator pack. In April of 08 new paddle leads were put back in my neck….only to have them migrate out within a few months. As of now, July 08, everything has been removed.
I feel like it was helping with my neck pain although it seemed
to magnify my forehead headaches. After 7 surgeries I now feel like it was all a waste of time and the insurance companys money.
All I have to show is multiple scars on my head, neck, back and butt. Pain sucks the life out of you and I was willing to try anything to find relief…the ONS was not my answer. I hope this helps others who are thinking of having an ONS. Good Luck
Hi, I am due to have the Spinal cord stimulator, soon, i have checked into it with many sites and they seem to have great review’s on it until i came here, i have to admit i am scared of such device, i have dealt with chronic pain for five years now, in lumbar spine would love nothing more then to have something to get my life back however not sure if i want to take chance, any advice??
Hello, I am due to have the Spinal Cord Stimulator put in next month. I am using Boston Scientific as per the doctor. After much research, I am scared to death. I had a cervical fusion in 2006 with no relief. Can anyone tell me how long the recovery is? I have only my husband here to help me and he works full time. Is this procedure something that will require fulltime help? Any advice you can give me would be very helpful.
Thank you in advance.
Boston Scientific seems to have a better rep. So the device should be fine (based on what I have been told).
I was moving around the house the day I got out. It was not without discomfort but I didn’t need assistance. I’m still not without discomfort.
Depending on placement (and me not being a doc) it might be very diff.
http://www.dhadm.com/content/my-life-under-the-knife-dealing-with-chronic-pain/
My husband is to have the temporary put in next week, then if that goes well, the permanent one. He has had 2 back surgeries including a fusion, he is in constant pain and takes many pain pills. We are paying for the surgery, any idea how much it is.
The temp one was not fun at all. The surgery and equipment are expensive. I have had to go on a payment plan for the last 2 implants.
Unless you are loaded, I would suggest getting all the paperwork done before hand. It takes time to get everything in order. I wish I could give you a $$ range but I can’t. Too many diff cost involved in each implant.
I would ask your hospital for a range. They should be able to give you one and it’s your money and your husbands body.