Hi Animus: I'm so sorry to hear that you're having a rough time. May I ask..are you a chronic pain patient too? Are you being followed by a doctor for your addiction? If not, I'd suggest trying to...
Hi Tony: As I said..I don't have a Boston Scientific but all units are fairly similar so I may be able to answer a few questions too..as I am 4 months post-op and had 2 trials. What part of the...
Hi fatherjohn: what kind of scs system are you having put in? are you having the paddle (surgical leads) or the percutaneous leads implanted? I had my system (Medtronic RestoreUltra) put in on...
Hi Jen: I'm answering you on this board rather than the other! I've had a very good experience w/methadone. Like tony, I also take MSIR for break-thru. Right now, I take 90 mgs of methadone (30 mgs,...
PS- are your pups labs or lab mixes? They are adorable!! I have a black lab, Mr. B (his real name is Brodie). He is my therapy!!!...
Hi Tony: I don't have a Boston Scientific...I have a Medtronic RestoreUltra. So far, I'm happy I went forward with the procedure. It's definitely helping and, since my second adjustment, I'm noticing...
Hi guys (or rather guy and gal!): Thanks for your input. My pain doc uses either effexor or cymbalta. We put the question to my maternal/fetal specialist and he chose effexor of the two..I'm not sure...
Hi BorderCollie2 (I like your name!): I just wanted to welcome you as well and to let you know that you aren't alone. I am 29 and have had back and leg pain since I was 16. I had 2 failed back...
Hi all: I am considering trying Effexor over the next few weeks. My husband and I are hoping to get pregnant this summer and I discussed with my maternal/fetal specialist the possibility of trying...
Hi mad1mal: Just wanted to wish you good luck with the lead removal. I was told that sometimes they can't get the leads out because of scar tissue but they can remove the tunneling cable and battery....
Hi scarred: I'm really sorry to hear that you're having to wait so long. Have they told you what the hold-up is? Do you have a worker's comp. lawyer? Is it possible for them to at least approve the...
Hi Modelmaker: I'm so sorry about your fish. I know how difficult it is, when one lives with chronic pain, to deal with any additional disappointment and/or sadness. It's like..don't we deal with...
Someone had posted about this on another board and I was just wondering if anyone here has had experience with this? She had a fusion, I believe, and had to take 4-days of antibiotics before having a...
Oh Suzy...I'm so, so sorry that you had such a horrible experience. Are the oral meds helping at all? I don't have any words of wisdom but I just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking about you...
Hi FutureCentury: I can't comment on how good that pain management center is because I've never been but I did want to comment on the fact that you are so young and in pain. I started having back...
Hi Alan: This is a great story! First..I think it is adorable that you say your daughter had "female surgery." That is such a dad way of putting it. Second, I'm thrilled for you that you have a...
Alan: My doctor DID indicate that a patient can get better coverage with the surgical leads, simply because the paddle is positioned directly over the nerves. With the percutaneous system, the leads...
I'm pretty sure all surgical leads have a paddle attached to the end of them. That's where the electrodes are. Sometimes they are called paddle leads. Sometimes they are called surgical leads but I...
Hi Modelmaker: I think you probably want to know the difference between surgical leads and percutaneous leads?? All systems use leads. The only system that uses paddles are the surgical LEADS. I have...
Thanks, PaLady! I also believe the part about being a "real" mother with a child even if it isn't one's biological child. This may sound bizarre but I have a black labrador retriever and I love that...
Sandi: I wanted to say before that you sound like an amazing mom. I know it's really hard for you to let go of your feelings of guilt and I can empathize ( I mean...I already feel guilty and I don't...
hey modelmaker: I also feel the weather changes. I write about this on my blog...how I get very cranky when it rains because I end up being so sore. You know what actually helps me? Alleve! I know...
Hi everyone: Thanks for your responses. PALady...I'm not offended at all that you mentioned adoption because your comment was made with sensitivity and caring intent. I am touched that you reached...
Hi there: I just read your post about being on methadone while pregnant. I am 29 and want to get pregnant in the not-too-distant future. I'm also on methadone, morphine and I have a spinal cord...
Hi Busymom- I am a 29 year old woman and I had a neurostimulator implanted for leg and back pain on January 16th of this year. I am in the recovery period but things are going fairly well. I am glad...
Hi Brent: As far as I know, corrosion of the battery and a leak of toxins is not listed in any of the negative product side-effects. If you'd like, however, I can email my medtronic representative...
Hi Brent: My Medtronic rep. told me that my battery has an average life-span of about 9 years (the RestoreUltra). BionicWoman was told 10 years so it seems it is somewhere around there! The leads can...
oh..I meant to ask..how old is your son now? Is he 18 or are you still his legal guardian? If he isn't, and you're his legal guardian, then you may be able to petition. Family law is not my area of...
Hi Angel: I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this. I know you must be really worried about your grandson. I did want to tell you though that I'm on methadone for pain and I want to get...
Hi Model- Let's see..as for driving..it's a safety issue. You can get a surge in stimulation when you turn your head quickly so they like you to have it off so as not to surprise you and cause an...
Hi K9lov3r: I had a neurostim implanted on 1/16 for chronic back and leg pain (I am 29 and have had the pain since I was 16). I have a blog about my experience with pictures of my incisions and all...
Miralax is great too!!! 2x a day (1 cap full) really really helps! Danimal Author of Chronic Stimulation- a blog about chronic pain and living with a neurostimulator Please visit me at:...
Hi Anice: What type of surgery did you have? I am also recovering from surgery but am now 3 months post-op (spinal cord stimulator with surgical leads and paddle in T9-T10 region with battery in my...
Hi Hello-Kitty: Thank you so, so much for all of this information. After reading it, the whole idea makes me a little nervous when there is no guarantee that the subutex would be a better pain...
Hi Alan: I'm not sure if my posting will help you because I have a stimulator but it isn't a Boston Scientific model. I have a Medtronic RestoreUltra. I have a blog about my experience, if you are...
My husband and I are interested in having children in the not too distant future. I met with a maternal/fetal specialist and he mentioned that studies seem to indicate that subutex has less of...
Hi everyone: I am having a terrible muscle spasm today. I'm about 3 months post-op (Medtronic neurostimulator for back and leg pain). I had to run after my naughty dog yesterday who stole a sandwich...
Gosh...no, I can't remember what it was like to not be in pain. I was 16...and very carefree!! Hmm....I would go for a run outside, try downhill skiing, go horseback riding on the beach and work a...
Hi Ms. Kitty: I just got a Medtronic Restore Ultra stimulator implanted on 1/16. So far, I am happy with it and do not regret my decision to have it implanted...although, it does NOT get rid of all...
Hi Anice: I'm sorry to hear that you're gonna have to have surgery. Just know..you aren't alone. Will you have help after the surgery? A laminectomy is a pretty straight-forward procedure. That's not...
We have a black lab with a fine Irish name...Brodie. However, he often goes by "Mr. B"....pronounced "Mr. Beeeeeeeeeeee!" (in a really high-pitched voice). He's currently at my feet (I'm in bed)...
hmmm...I think: 1. caring/sensitive 2. funny 3. silly Danimal Author of Chronic Stimulation- a blog about chronic pain and living with a neurostimulator http://chronicstimulation.blogspot.com/...
Hi Miss Suzie: I can't write much now cuz I'm reaching my end point for the day in terms of pain but I saw your post and did want to respond. I'm really sorry for everything you've been through and...
Hi Momcares: I'm so sorry for everything your daughter is dealing with. I can relate in some ways, I think. I am 29 and have had chronic pain since I was 16. A bunch of surgeries and nothing helped...
PS- I realized I didn't respond to your post, Lucy. I'm really sorry for what you're going through...people can be so, so insensitive. Danimal :eyes:...
Ugh...not good at all. Every time I try to garner the energy to do something (I work from home), I just can't concentrate. I feel like I have no energy these days..the pain just sucks it all out of...
Hi White Beard: Thank you so much for the compliment on my blog! I had a hard time deciding about the neurostimulator and had wished there was something like that out there to help me decide..so I...
Oh..just saw your update after I posted. I'm so, so glad that you were able to experience intimacy with your wife..that's so important to a marriage and also to a patient in chronic pain. I find...
Oh gosh..Been Butchered...my heart simply breaks for you..and I feel like I want to cry, given how little support you've been getting from your wife. The fact that she's gone as far as to say that...
Hi there: I saw your post about the handicap placard and I can totally relate. Isn't that so frustrating? Like we want to even have to use the placards in the first place! ugh!! I wrote a post about...