Newbie

Hi all. I found this board while searching for reviews on SCS. My new PM is suggesting I do the trial over the next few months with possible implantation Sept-Oct. Being that I am careful and research-oriented, I've been surfing the net looking for information and any personal experiences that would help me make an informed decision. My PM gave me lots of info to read through, but I found that the patient profiles were all quite positive...and we all know that when dealing with CP there are negative consequences to just about everything.

I had 1st fusion in 1999 after L4 gave way and blazed its own path. That hurt. Surgery was good, great ortho, and other than constant low-grade pain all was well til 2005 when I started losing feeling in my feet. L3 was dislocated. Back to the surgery suite to pull out the hardware and fuse L3-4-5 (same ortho). That went well too except I lost all feeling in my left knee *sigh*. Since then pain in legs and feet has ramped up to a constant 6-7 on 1-10 pain scale, worse at night or when bad weather hits. First PM did shots in 2012 which helped for a while. He also started me on Fentanyl patches, with Oxycodone for BT pain, which so improved my life...I almost felt normal! I take the lowest possible amount of painkillers although he also offered a stronger Fentanyl patch to have on hand if pain gets out of control. The 50 mcg patches work better, but side effects were too much.

Spine is stabilized but pain persists, and although I can deal with it during the day quite well by staying busy (3 y/o granddaughter), nights are a nightmare. Sleep is evidently not part of the new CP paradigm.

So, first PM retired and now seeing new guy, he's quite good and knows his stuff and seems satisfied I am knowledgeable and proactive on the pain problem. He has suggested the SCS trial to see if it will work for me so I can stabilize at a permanent lower med program. I am currently reading through all the back posts on this board to get an idea of what others have gone through with this, you all are an inspiration to me.

So if anyone would like to share their experiences, please do so. I am in no rush to get ithe implant done until I fully understand the entire program. And the recovery period issue is distressing, and I will add that the thought of a battery pack in my stomach rather scares me.

Aelwynn I to want to Wellcome You to Healing Well Chronic Pain Forum! I really am glad you found us! I am sorry though that you have reason to have to come here, but I feel this is a great place to be if your suffering from Chronic Pain! I think we have some of the kindest and most caring and compassionate people you will ever want to meet, and they are all right here on this forum! We might not be able to cure you or give you any real medical advice, but we can and will give you our ears and listen to you, and give you our support, and what advice and information that we may have! When you come here you are no longer alone with your pain! We are like family here and we all share in your pain and we all help one another! We not only sympathize with you but we go further, and we can empathize with you as well! We all know what it is like to live with Chronic Pain so we know what what it is like, and can understand what your going through!

I don't have a SCS as I am not a good candidate for one, as I have to many place in my spine that cause me pain. But there are quite a few of our members that do have them, and I know they will be more than happy to share their experiences with you, and help you in any way they can!

Anyway I do want to Welcome You, and hope that you will become an active member of our Chronic Pain Family! I wish you all the best!

White Beard

welcome aboard, thanks for sharing your story with us. glad you found us.

david

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome, it really helps lessen that little anxiety that goes along with being new.

RetiredMom, we thank you so much for the great advice on having the neurosurgeon do the trial. I didn't even think about that, but it will absolutely be a requirement. I have so much to learn about this, you all are priceless.

Very best regards,

Tricia