Stim Trial Nerves & General Bad Day - Pain Management Message Board

StMishl · 11-01-2005, 05:25 PM

Hi all.
As said, I am tentatively scheduled for the stim trial on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving (so I have plenty of time to relax before I have to return to the "real world"). But am getting worried.

NOT so much for pain, I can handle that... more because I have heard this this will possibly be worthless for my back and hip pain, which are monsterous lately compared to the leg pain (and evidently it is the LEG pain it will help, and since I am 70% back/hip pain, am I making a mistake here??)

Also, The patches/MsContin combo that was holding me at around a 6 is now failing --bad ... I am back up in area of 8 at least 4 days a week (and almost every night) I hurt LOWER than usual in my back...I think maybe something is messed up a step beneath my L3-4 mechanics?? Could it be collapsing down? Late last week it suddenly began hurting tremendously. And everything is very swollen. Why is it so hard to get a dr to listen?? I know I need some twisting Xrays, or ??? but surgeon is all about Covering his BUTT! I can feel my back screws wiggling.

ALSO- I am trying to hold my marriage together, but my hubby seems so frustrated having a broken wife...I want to be able to go out for a drink, or to a club, but on these meds, hahahahaha!! All I want is a nap! I'm tring to work 3 hrs a day (Teacher's Asst) but that is for my self-esteem - and to pay for some of the med. co-pays!!

I feel 98 years old, like a hypochondriac 98 year old!! Or a drug store. I wish I didn't take so many meds, holy cow!!!

Any ideas of the likelihood the stim will work, because I really need a glimmer of hope here (I know it isn't a 100% cure, but a 2 point knock down would be GREAT!!). Anyone have experience with it helping back and hip pain??? My DREAM goal is to minimize the narcotics some so I can go back to school PT by summer and get my teaching certificate. Yet somehow I have a feeling that I will end up back in the same spot, in a few months, just with more scar tissue, and more foreign crud inside me... I know, great attitude, But so far nothing has worked.

Thanks for listening to me... this is my therapy coach so I can go be cheerful around my kids

Michelle

StMishl · 11-02-2005, 05:43 PM

I'm sorry for the rant yesterday (and the whine!), but I really would like to know if anyone has luck with the stim helping their BACK and HIP, or if it really is just for the leg mostly? can you describe the trial process? Will I be okay for a "normal" Thanksgiving with the trial stim? Obviously I wont be skiing or anything

Thanks...

Michelle

jdlfmc · 11-02-2005, 06:47 PM

Michelle, I had the SCS implant done earlier this year and had to have it removed due to many complications.
This only works for nerve pain so my ?? is, is your hip and back pain due to nerves or something else??
Linda

StMishl · 11-02-2005, 08:00 PM

Linda,
your stim story is one I have followed (here and on the back boards) - so thanks for replying... I have a failed fusion - L3-L5 (and think something recently is up with a lower level too but can't get anyone to bother checking it out!!) My fusion is determined by my surgeon to have been "perfectly done" of course, but just not doing anything for the pain, but my Rheumatologist (I have RA too) and my pain specialist (a GREAT guy), and a 2nd opinion dr. --ALL of them have TONS more experience-- think the fusion is likely not holding, as my mri shows no fusing bone...YIPEE!!

My pain is in lower back Right hip and Right leg then pins/needles down Right leg. I scar SUPER easy and have had 2 RAC-Z catheders to remove the scar tissue in my spinal column, but it grows back way fast.

The reason we are considering this is that I get SOME relief from a TENS unit some they were hoping????? But???

-Michelle

jdlfmc · 11-02-2005, 10:28 PM

Michelle, Have you seen Fancylady(billie) post she just had her SCS implant done recently and she may be able to give you some input.
I have to say when mine worked it was the best pain management I have had, I wish I would have been able to keep it, I just think my body wasn't going to accept it.
It would be worth the try for you I believe, if I can be of any help please feel free to shout..
I wish you the best..
Linda