neurostimulator trial

I'm new here. I am 5 days into my neurostimulator trial for back pain (degenerative discs 4 levels). I seem to be getting some pain relief from the stimulator, but... will the implant also cause stimulation in my legs like the trial unit does? I understand the reasons why the legs receive stimulation in order to get to the lower back, but... My back is bad, but it's not bad enough to deal with the stimulation in my legs. At least, not yet.

Thoughts? Help? Advice?

Thanks! I'll do some digging!

Wekcome Beth, I am sorry to hear that you are in such pain.  I have a neurostimulator and YES your legs are definately going to be a major area of stimulation.  At first, I felt the stimulator was helpful in modifying my pain sensations, but now I  regret that my old PM talked my in to it.  Once I achieved adaquate pain control, I found myself using the stimulator less and less.  I did not find that the stimulator changed my need for medication.  To me it was just a change is sensations.  I found that my basic pain was now overlaid with the tingling sensation of the stimulator. There were times when my pain was so severe and when the stimulator sensations were added, I was in sensory over load.  It was like too many things happening to you at once.   Another reason I regret the implant is that I can no longer have MRI's.  With a disease like mine, plus a recent foot injury, diagnostic MrI's would have been helpful.  You also have a major decision about the type of leads you plan to have implanted. The percutaneous leads (untethered to your spine) tend to float a bit.  Movement of the leads when you lay down or sit up can cause hugh surges in the electrical sensation.  There were times that the settings were perfect for reclining, but I felt like I was beening electrocuted when I sat up or rearranged me position.  The other option is paddle leads.  If you opt to go this way, the surgery is major and a neurosurgeon must be present.  It is considered a mini-laminectory (spelling ?).  Recovery is much longer because pieces of bone are removed.  If you are in doubt at all, wait.  Do not let the PM talk you in to a stimulator. The is always time later to do a retrial if this trial in not considered a success.   Also, do not forget this is big big $$$ for PM's and one or only two real surgeries they are able to perform.  If you do decide to have the implant, check and make sure how many stimulator's your PM has implanted.  Most PM's are anesthesiologists and are not trained as surgeons.  For many, stimulators and pumps are their first experience with hands on surgery.  Some are very good at it, some just basically stink.  My stimulator did not cover may pain and I ended up getting a pain pump.  I love the pump.  I has allowed my to acheive adequate pain control with a wide variety of options.  The pump gave me my life back. You have a bid decision to make.  I recommend that you get out the old legal pad and draw two columns - pro and against.  List all of your issues and then added them up. Good luck and keep us posted.  

It's not that I've had problems. I have had relief during the trial. I just don't like the leg stimulation. To get to the level where I feel the relief, I have to crank it up to a level where my legs and feet feel really bizarre. Not exactly painful, but uncomfortable. I'm not sure I'm quite at the "must do this" point if the leg stimulation is going to happen. Does that make sense?

I discussed this with my neurosurgeon (who has never done surgery on me), and he has agreed to do a stimulator surgery if the trial goes well. He has done a bunch of these surgeries, and he instructs other surgeons on the procedure. I'm going to talk to my PM doctor tomorrow and see what the plan will be. The PM practice isn't happy about doing "routine" ESIs, especially since a couple of them have been less than effective. We'll see.

Tomorrow I'm scheduled to have the leads removed. Should prove interesting.

Thanks for the advice and information, everyone. I know which way my gut is leaning, but I'm going to wait until after I talk to my PM dr tomorrow before I decide, if that soon.

All of this started about a year ago. I went in for ESI, and not long after that, I did something dumb, and I had another flare up. (By something "dumb", I think I bent over to pick up a shower sponge or something. I went back in for another ESI (I think it was 6 weeks after the first one). The PM practice I use has 4 or 5 doctors, and you can call and request a particular dr, but I didn't really care at that point, ya know? The dr looked over my chart and commented that I should probably do a stim trial if the ESIs aren't working. At the 2 week follow-up, I mention it to the PA who is my usual point of contact, and she said that the ESIs usually work, this was a fluke, but it was worth looking into. Fast forward to Nov/Dec, and I had another ESI that didn't work as well followed ASAP by one that did, and I decided to at least try the trial. It's not like it's a commitment, right? That brings me to today- T-16 hours until the wires get yanked from the trial, and I think I'm ready for them to continue the ESIs until they stop working all together OR they refuse to do anymore. Does that make sense?

Sorry for the ramble...

I saw someone else mention it on another thread, but I have to echo her sentiments. I feel like such a wimp sometimes. I "only" have DDD, and it's not constant severe pain. It's not even constant moderate pain. There's always some kind of ache there, but it varies from "eh, it ain't all that bad" to "OMG! Knock me out now!", but it's usually somewhere around, "Gah! Why won't this leave me alone?" to "Where did I put those pain pills again?" I see everything that all of you have gone through and continue to go through, and I'm humbled and in awe of your strength.

Does anyone here have RSD/CRPS? I have had this for 394 days from a dislocated R wrist fracture. It needed surgery & a carpel tunnel release. Unstead I got a long cast. Later the carpel tunnel was done but it was too late, and now the CRPS has moved beyond the right wrist, hand and fingers up my arm across the neck and down the left arm. I just had my C4 SCS trial and it was good. The sensations were much better than the pain and I could move my finger and hand better than before. I am hoping that someday my hand will close. The leads were removed yesterday and the pain is back with full force. What has your experience been with the permanent surgery with paddel leads. Was it as good as the trail? I am dreading the next 8weeks before the surgery and the time the SCS can be turned on.

Hello Chinodesigns and welcome to the chronic pain forum. Since you have posted on an old thread few people will see your post and most likely no one will answer your question. Please start a new post with your questions so all members can see this and have some response.

Thanks and we look forward to getting to know you.