cattys

Hello!

I read one of your posts and you said your dr. is considering a spinal cord stimulator.

What the scs does is delivers low voltage electrical stimuation to the spinal cord or targeted peripheral nerve to block the sensation of pain.

The leads are implanted in the epidural space and stimulates these pain inhibiting nerve fibers, masking the sensation of pain. A extension wire which is weeded under the skin to the battery pack, conducts the electrical stimulation from the battery to the leads. The battery pack is implanted in the side of the stomach or wherever you and your dr. decide. Mine is under my arm

The trial screening involves implantation of the lead in the epidural space and the wires will be external connected to a remote.

The one good thing about the trial is if you do not like the scs and it does not work for you they just take the wire out. It's kinda like taking a new car for a test ride ,if you like it you get it, if not you don't.

I have had a scs for going on 5 months now. It stopped working for my arm but still covers my legs pretty well. but I do get alot of headaches now which I never did before the stimulator.

I have recently read that it helps some people for a while then it will become a new source of pain by stimulating the neuropathic pain sensory fibers in the spinal canal. I also read that it causes disturbances of plasticity and causes rapid deterioration of RSD to later stages. I truly believe the stimulator is what caused the spresd to my legs. I had one done a year ago that had to be removed due to infection and I was Deathly ill. But it worked so well then that when I was healed I went ahead and did it again. This time to also cover my leg pain.

This is a personal decision that only you can decide. Do not let any one push you into it. My dr, kept telling me the blocks don't work for you anymore and this is are last option.

Do alot of educating yourself on the stimulator you will hear good stories and bad. Some people it has totally changed there life and continues to work for them. I guess it all depends on the individual.

Best of luck on whatever you deceide and no decision can be a bad one because when it comes to RSD we need to find a way to have more tolerable pain levels if possible. I definetly do not regret getting the scs. I just pray that I continue to get good relief in my legs. I guess time will tell.

cattys




[This message has been edited by cattys (edited 08-05-2003).]