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Spinal cord stimulator questions?
OK, I have been approved for the SCS and now am scared. I have degenerative joint/disk disease and can only hope this will help. My question is??
It replaces the signals your brain perceives as pain, correct?
I have looked up the medical definition of paresthesia and this is explained as a 'tingling numbing sensation'. This definition scares me because I don't need a tingling sensation to replace the pain. I understand the pain will not go away but this definition needs further explanation from a professional. I have seen the video, gone to the web site (some thoughts there were negative) and want to understand 'paresthesia' a little better. Can you please advise?
It replaces the signals your brain perceives as pain, correct?
I have looked up the medical definition of paresthesia and this is explained as a 'tingling numbing sensation'. This definition scares me because I don't need a tingling sensation to replace the pain. I understand the pain will not go away but this definition needs further explanation from a professional. I have seen the video, gone to the web site (some thoughts there were negative) and want to understand 'paresthesia' a little better. Can you please advise?
Best Answer
Well, well, well...
Now there seems to be a turn of events concerning this SCS. I did the psychological evaluation as required but return to my pm doctor only to hear her say, that she does not think I am a candidate for this SCS and think I need further psychological evaluation for pain issues? As mentioned, this is the third pm doctor from this clinic I have seen and all I wanted was some kind of shots to help with the constant hip pain. She gladly upper the morphine and back up pain medication but says that SHE thinks psychological pain evaluation would be a benefit for me. Now let me also explain, I have gone through all the evaluation I am going to go through physiologically, know the pain is real but don't trust a doctor who can't read my chart, makes me wait for over an hour to see her and has nothing more to offer.
I am done with this doctor who apparently need psychological evaluation because she claims her and I may not be a good 'fit' for one another. That should have been my first clue, but I thought I would give her a second chance.
Personally I think I intimidate her with my questions, and that she does not want to be 'married' to me for the duration of this SCS procedure. I have a history of degenerative joint/disk disease and asked her to speak to my orthopedic doctor but I think all this information was information overload for her and that she is not capable of making a sound nonjudgmental medical decision. The psychologist I had tested with said she sees no reason why we cannot move forward with this procedure but it seems this pm doctor has made her own decision on my behalf and that to me suggest lack of patient care and concern along with sound medical judgment. Glad I did not waste any further time in her clinic.
By the way, I got my shots and after three days, I am feeling some relief from this vicious pain cycle.
Now there seems to be a turn of events concerning this SCS. I did the psychological evaluation as required but return to my pm doctor only to hear her say, that she does not think I am a candidate for this SCS and think I need further psychological evaluation for pain issues? As mentioned, this is the third pm doctor from this clinic I have seen and all I wanted was some kind of shots to help with the constant hip pain. She gladly upper the morphine and back up pain medication but says that SHE thinks psychological pain evaluation would be a benefit for me. Now let me also explain, I have gone through all the evaluation I am going to go through physiologically, know the pain is real but don't trust a doctor who can't read my chart, makes me wait for over an hour to see her and has nothing more to offer.
I am done with this doctor who apparently need psychological evaluation because she claims her and I may not be a good 'fit' for one another. That should have been my first clue, but I thought I would give her a second chance.
Personally I think I intimidate her with my questions, and that she does not want to be 'married' to me for the duration of this SCS procedure. I have a history of degenerative joint/disk disease and asked her to speak to my orthopedic doctor but I think all this information was information overload for her and that she is not capable of making a sound nonjudgmental medical decision. The psychologist I had tested with said she sees no reason why we cannot move forward with this procedure but it seems this pm doctor has made her own decision on my behalf and that to me suggest lack of patient care and concern along with sound medical judgment. Glad I did not waste any further time in her clinic.
By the way, I got my shots and after three days, I am feeling some relief from this vicious pain cycle.
I spoke with the clerk at the pain management center who I know pretty well and asked that pain management doctor talk with my orthopedic surgeon about what has been done for me and my case history. I am hopeful that all this information will keep my pm doctor in perspective to understand all that I have gone through. Will find out more on the 28th.
I have been to a few web sites with horror stories but I know each person is an individual so I am not willing to 'give in' to the horror stories until that happens to me. I have no other choice at present so why not? Just because I am getting older doesn't mean I have to believe all the horror stories about getting older. (joke) Thank for the info, will keep you all updated.
Up to this point I have tried everything including the TENS unit, 12 physical therapy treatments including aqua therapy and currently going for acupuncture treatments. Mostly the shots and nerve blocks have helped in the past but the pain always comes back and fierce when it does. I've done the fentanyl, morphine, Norco and other medication and tired of the side effects these meds have caused. Willing to give this a shot, since all the doctors I have seen to date recommend this. Next step might be the pain pump but I am not so willing to go there. Hope I won't have to. Have advised my pain management doctor to check with my orthopedic surgeon about all the procedures I have had along with reading my chart. Hope her education (pain management) pays off as we are starting off with a rocky relationship.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
Yes, it is true that rotation and turnover of doctors makes it difficult for a patient to develop trust as this often leads to a break in treatment and communication. I would suggest you prepare a chart history yourself. Make a date-wise chart of your symptoms, tests (and results if possible), treatments. You could take it with you on every visit and keep updating it yourself. This way you have the complete medical history thread with you. Also, you will be put on a trial for spinal cord stimulator. If you do not respond to it, the temporary attachment will be removed and some other treatment tried. So, even if you are put on a trial period, you can be weaned off it if it and some other treatment tried. Take care!
Yes, it is true that rotation and turnover of doctors makes it difficult for a patient to develop trust as this often leads to a break in treatment and communication. I would suggest you prepare a chart history yourself. Make a date-wise chart of your symptoms, tests (and results if possible), treatments. You could take it with you on every visit and keep updating it yourself. This way you have the complete medical history thread with you. Also, you will be put on a trial for spinal cord stimulator. If you do not respond to it, the temporary attachment will be removed and some other treatment tried. So, even if you are put on a trial period, you can be weaned off it if it and some other treatment tried. Take care!
I would have hoped they would make sure you understand everything regarding a stimulator BEFORE approving it for you. your in a good place to find answers, Good Luck........
Happy Turkey Day. Hope you and your family are making the best out of this day and make it count for something. It is only the two of us here and we have not done turkey in years so why not? Something different. Some turkey, some drugs (legal) and then sleepiness. Sounds like a good day to me so hope you all enjoy.
Lets see if I can explain a little further. This is my third doctor on the pain management team recommended by my orthopedic surgeon (who I really trust and his work has been very successful). It seems there has been a turn over in the PM team and they 'move on to private practice' according to what I have been told. My second pm doctor mentioned that I might be having issues with the piriformis muscle and that is what he was treating until 'he moved on' and I can no longer get in touch with him. Now my new pm doctor says I have had my limit of steroid injections for the year and we are both having a difficult time on focusing on the areas of concern. Apparently she has not read my chart history because she asks me if I had a particular MRI but she is the one who ordered it. Anyway, she recommended morphine until my next visit on the 28th and also evaluation for the spinal cord stimulator. My concern is will this help me with my hip problem? This new doctor (after a telephone conference) has agreed on trigger point injections but I am getting concerned that she is missing my case history.
I have stayed with this pm team because they are in the same building and recommended by my surgeon but the team keeps rotating and I feel like I am being lost in the cracks (no it is not the paranoia of the morphine just yet). Can you offer any advise?
I have stayed with this pm team because they are in the same building and recommended by my surgeon but the team keeps rotating and I feel like I am being lost in the cracks (no it is not the paranoia of the morphine just yet). Can you offer any advise?
Thank you for your helpful information and dedication. I am really impressed by your comments (hence its been mandatory for me to keep up to date with all developments as my patients often need a sounding board to discuss their concerns.)
I have some other concerns that I would like to discuss but I am having a problem posting my answer so let me see if this takes. Will write back. Thank you once again for your dedication.
I have some other concerns that I would like to discuss but I am having a problem posting my answer so let me see if this takes. Will write back. Thank you once again for your dedication.
I have a TENS unit and I use it daily Perian I have to replace the batteries often but it does stop my pain while it is on it feels like a massage depending on the intensity that you control. Pain control last for about a half hour to 45 minutes once I take it off. I hope this little bit information helps and I'm not sure if you have already tried the TENS unit. Hopefully I'm not telling you something that you already know. So when is your procedure scheduled for?
Hello madman,
Glad to see a posting from you. Quiche glad to hear you got approved for the stimulator! That is wonderful news. I am wondering have you ever used a TENS unit it's kind of the same process the same feeling the tingling. At least that's how it was explained to me. I do not have the stimulator I was in line to get that procedure done when we moved from Arizona to California. And then I lost my insurance for a year. Very long story and not to steal your post but saw your question and maybe you could try out a TENS unit so that you know what the feeling is.
Glad to see a posting from you. Quiche glad to hear you got approved for the stimulator! That is wonderful news. I am wondering have you ever used a TENS unit it's kind of the same process the same feeling the tingling. At least that's how it was explained to me. I do not have the stimulator I was in line to get that procedure done when we moved from Arizona to California. And then I lost my insurance for a year. Very long story and not to steal your post but saw your question and maybe you could try out a TENS unit so that you know what the feeling is.
Read your background and curious how you know so much about the SCS when no one else had responded. Don't get me wrong, your advise was good but reading your background about women issues and your related field, I come to wonder how you know about the SCS field? Thank you for your information and I appreciate your response.
I am just curious why no one who specializes in this field gave a response. Am I wrong for thinking that way?
I am just curious why no one who specializes in this field gave a response. Am I wrong for thinking that way?
Thank you for the information. I have done some research into this, have the video and read some posts on line. The battery life is another concern I will discuss with my doctor but I understand that. I was more concerned with this 'sensation' the SCS creates. I know it is supposed to re-direct the pain in the nerve centers of the mind. (at least my understanding) I also take gabapentin for neuropathy. Will this help this 'sensation'? I understand about adjusting this SCS. I will know more when I go in for the trial period. I just wish I had more faith in my doctor. I have been through 3 pain management doctors already and they keep handing my case off to the next doctor who does not know my case history or 'read my file' like they are supposed to. My recent PM doctor does not know my case history, has not read my file completely and then called me to ask if her and I would be the best fit for one another. She is the one who prescribed morphine for a month before I get the shots I requested. (she says I am maxed out on steroid shots for the year) (she managed to read that but missed a lot more of my medical history) I am hoping to establish a working relationship with her but I need to get her focused on reading the patients history before she asks the questions that the 3 other doctors have done before her. I will admit, I got a little angry when she asked the questions she did and then prescribed morphine when I requested a shot to hep, now she is talking about giving me trigger points injections...anything to help but I have had to wait over three months for these shots! IN CONSTANT PAIN!
I think she is requesting this SCS because she has no other answers but hopefully we can establish a working relationship REAL SOON! She is not the one in pain, I am and I am just asking for some type of relief. The shots helped!
I think she is requesting this SCS because she has no other answers but hopefully we can establish a working relationship REAL SOON! She is not the one in pain, I am and I am just asking for some type of relief. The shots helped!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
I can understand your apprehensions. To allay your fears let me explain the whole thing to you. Spinal cord stimulator is a device inserted into epidural space or over the spinal cord with an Implantable power generator (IPG) under the skin of the lower abdomen or gluteal region. It is a method of giving controlled analgesia on demand. It is helpful in patients with inoperable back pain or limb pain. Normally the battery lasts 6-8 years. If you opt for re-chargeable battery (which is costlier), this will last 12-14 years. Usually IPG is effective for 5-8 years after which it needs to be replaced. During the trial period, the lead is placed on the spinal cord but the IPG is kept outside the body. If pain relief is 50% or more then the permanent procedure is carried out. Patients can keep the stimulator in off mode for varying periods of time and can lead a normal life. Since it is an invasive procedure, there is risk of bleeding, infection, and puncture of dura. The leads can get disconnected and would need another procedure to fix them. If you are on SCS, you will have to avoid procedures like pacemakers, MRI, diathermy, and repeated ultrasounds. It can cause tingling sensation or a feeling of numbness, but this can be controlled by putting it in off mode when not required. Do discuss this with your doctor. Take care!
I can understand your apprehensions. To allay your fears let me explain the whole thing to you. Spinal cord stimulator is a device inserted into epidural space or over the spinal cord with an Implantable power generator (IPG) under the skin of the lower abdomen or gluteal region. It is a method of giving controlled analgesia on demand. It is helpful in patients with inoperable back pain or limb pain. Normally the battery lasts 6-8 years. If you opt for re-chargeable battery (which is costlier), this will last 12-14 years. Usually IPG is effective for 5-8 years after which it needs to be replaced. During the trial period, the lead is placed on the spinal cord but the IPG is kept outside the body. If pain relief is 50% or more then the permanent procedure is carried out. Patients can keep the stimulator in off mode for varying periods of time and can lead a normal life. Since it is an invasive procedure, there is risk of bleeding, infection, and puncture of dura. The leads can get disconnected and would need another procedure to fix them. If you are on SCS, you will have to avoid procedures like pacemakers, MRI, diathermy, and repeated ultrasounds. It can cause tingling sensation or a feeling of numbness, but this can be controlled by putting it in off mode when not required. Do discuss this with your doctor. Take care!
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Regarding the 'sensation' you are talking about, as I mentioned earlier, if it is due to the stimulator, or a nerve compression then keeping the stimulator in off mode will reduce the sensation in most cases (noting can be said for sure until you take the trial). However, if you have neuropathy secondary to diabetes, hypothyroidism, auto-immune disorders, Lyme's or lupus, then drugs like gabapantene and treating the cause of neuropathy may help.
Hope this helps you! Take care! Hope to see you 'pain free' soon!