Hi,
I'm new here. As a quick intro, I am 39 and have chronic severe back/leg pain, as a result of a previous injury L4/5 or a tarlov cyst- they don't know which. I have been through a lot of different procedures, and am still in significant pain. I've had a laminectomy, 3 epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, local anaesthetics, and a spinal cord stimulator put in. I also take a host of meds to control all the symptoms. My bladder is adversely affected (along with my bowel and gynae probs), and I have to do self caths at least once a day. The urogynae dr suggested I have another spinal cord stimulator implanted, to help with the urinary issues,rather than continuing doing the self caths. I have heard that they aren't too successful, and wondered if there was anyone on this board who had one, or knew anything about them???

Glenda

Hi my name is Sandy, I just had a trial spinal cord stimulator put in on Thursday August 7th 2002. It is helping with some of the pain, but the pain in my back from the surgery itself is pretty bad. I am still debating as to whether or not I will have the permanent one put in. My pain is quite a bit different from what you are going through though. I have and still am taking quite a few medications myself. I have been told by my docotors that the stimulator won't cure my problems, but will provide me hopefully with a "better quality of life". It is definitely different, and is taking some getting use to.