Electrical Stimulation anyone? - Pain Management Message Board

Scott19 · 04-14-2008, 10:42 AM

I have chronic lower back, failed back surgery syndrome stuff - been on pain meds for 3 years now, pre and post surgery. I trialed the Medtronic electrical stimulation device a couple weeks ago - leads are inserted into the spine and a controller is attached to the leads, allowing one to increase/decrease electrical stimulation. It can even be directed to one or both legs. It has a reputation for managing leg pain better than back pain.

It really worked well for me so I am scheduled to have it implanted "permanently" later this week. Does anyone have any knowledge or feedback on this device?

Thanks, Scott

AnnD · 04-14-2008, 10:50 AM

Thank you so much for knowing and posting the brand name of your stimulator. Apparently no one knows what they have implanted or tried and that information is so important. Please keep us posted on how it works after permanent implanting and another piece of information what medications were you on before and then after the implant? that is also very important information. Does it allow you to function normally or do you still have some pain that restricts you in some way? Thank you for sharing your story.

edsie1137 · 04-14-2008, 11:31 AM

I was considering the medtronic unit as well. A friend of mines daughter has one for the last 8 months and is thrilled. She had failed back surgery,She has been on Methadone, duragesic patches, Percoset, ad infinitum. She said she would reccommend it in a hert beat.She is almost off all of her meds, and is virtually pain free. Her doctor is in NY as well as the Medtronic representative. She was very successful with the trial and so then had the implant done. I am seriously considering it, even if it means going to NY. I understand that the doctor who does the procedure in Memphis is very ill, and not working at this time.

Scott19 · 04-15-2008, 08:34 AM

To answer both sets of questions:
- I am on Fentanyl patches, percocet and have tried many other non-narcotic approaches with little success. My pain is lower back and right leg for the most part.

- There are a number of physicians in Memphis who perform this procedure, probably because Medtronic's business unit who makes the electronic stimulator is made here.I would be happy to give you a referral to either a doctor or the Medtronic representative. I know we cannot list names here so if you are interested in making contact, please let me know and I think we can connect outside of the forum.

I will follow up with results, the trial period had excellent results.

Scott

shawley · 04-15-2008, 09:04 AM

There are already 4 post about the stimulators on this board .. I had the Medtronic stim implanted since last year. It does work great for hip /leg pain.

Cheers