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Looking for help with spinal cord stimulator

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Posted 1/28/2013 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, i am new here and would like to explain my problem a little, i am a 57 (almost 58) female i have had 3 back surgerys approx. 25 years ago. Always in pain but thats a given with the back. I have been going for the last 4 years for injection of steroids facets work great for me, i have had epiderals also, my pain mgt. dr. won't give me anymore since he said it will start to destroy the bones. So i went to see a specialist and after reviewing the MRI he looks and said "even i can't fix this" my back is beyond repair, he said fusions wouldn't even help and i have what he called cluster of nerves at the base of my spine which he said is not fixable. So long stoy short he suggested a spinal cord stimulator, so i went to see the pain mgt. dr. for that and before they can do it you have to get a phys. evaulation.........WHAT i can't even find anyone that does it, they gave me a list of 4 and each one is either not available or not taking new patients.....CRAZY Does anyone know of a dr. that does this in the New York area, i am in upstate NY near the Newburgh area.? Thanks for any help you may have.

Post Edited By Moderator (Blessedx8) : 1/28/2013 9:12:51 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/28/2013 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
if you know the manufacturer of the scs device that might be used call them as they have many drs they work with and i'm sure they will give you a few names. its in their interest to get things moving......pal p
Posted 1/29/2013 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks i finally got a dr. today i pulled up names and started on top and called everyone of them, i finally got a dr. that will do it on Feb. 6th. It is so crazy that the insurance company puts all this crap on us. Just let the dr. do his job he doesn't need a shrink to tell him it's ok, it's my back. I know there are so many people out there worse off then me but that really doesn't make me hurt less. God bless all of you and hope you get help with your pain.
Posted 1/29/2013 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Alma I hope you will let us know how your trial goes. I have a pump & the maker of the pump recommends the psych evaluation, insurance has nothing to do with it.

Take care.......Susie
Posted 1/29/2013 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
I will let you know how it goes but it is the insurance company here that demands that the psych. evaluation, i am in NY state if that has anything to do with it. Just hope it works and gives some relief. Thanks
Posted 1/31/2013 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Well they just threw a new problem in with the last MRI i got, i told the dr. that a couple months ago i got a sharp pain the the middle of my back and it hurts real bad all the time.  After getting the MRI he called yesterday and said that i have very severe scoliosis and that he wasn't sure if the permanent one would work, he could do the trial because the leads are bendable but the permanant one are flat and might not be able to get in between the spine due to the scoliosis.  I am getting so depressed and just want some pain releif, so now i wait to hear from the other dr. that would do the permant one.  I did get a phys. to do the evaluation on the 6th of Feb.  might not need him if they can't do it.   I will keep you posted and thank you for your help.
Posted 1/31/2013 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Oh Alma, I am so sorry to hear this. But, lets not throw the towel in yet, lets see what the surgeon has to say. I know you were not expecting this, but it seems like sometimes we get get these extra bumps in the road thrown at us. Let us know......Susie
Posted 1/31/2013 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I'm a recent SCS patient and I am thrilled with mine. I highly suggest that you have a board certified neurosurgeon do your implant, if possible....and a very good one at that.

I also wanted to tell you that I see a psych on a regular basis for anxiety and pain issues. I just asked them to do the letter saying I understood that this may or may not give me relief and that I fully understood that there were always surgical risks. That's really all they needed in my case.

I hope you will be able to try this and that you will have the success I have had. My surgery itself was a difficult one due to allergy issues with steroids. Steroids help to reduce the inflammation in the spinal column after the procedure. They are often given before, during, and/or after the procedure. They made all the difference in the world for me in the pain and healing process.

I had mine done Dec 18th and it is a St Jude's model. I'm getting better every day. My NS waits at least two weeks before allowing them to be turned on to make certain the swelling has had a chance to subside, and I had mine turned on In the first few days of January. I have had two or three adjustments to the programming now and have finally found some AMAZING settings for pain relief.

I hope ou will have the same success, without the postop pain that I did. Good luck!
Posted 2/1/2013 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,
I'm new to the site and have not even posted anything yet. I wanted to let you know that I too have two different spinal cord stimulators implanted. It's one of the best things I have ever done. I do still have to take a lot of meds but I can't imagine what quality of life I would have without the combination working together. The psych evaluation is just to prove you are in your right state mind and that you have full knowledge of what you are doing. I was told all insurance company's require it. The machine itself is so expensive. Also, any elective surgery I've ever had they have made me a psych evaluation. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that myself having two stimulators I understand the excitement you have to get things going. I check the website several times A day and will be glad to answer any questions you may have or just chat in general.
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