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Neurostimulator trial test

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Posted 2/8/2011 5:15 PM (GMT -5)
Hi everyone! This is my first post. In reading others posts, I am confident I will learn the "ins and outs" of procedures, meds, and "shop talk".  Brief history of me: I was a healthy women who was active with her two sons and barely sat still..always on the move. Then in 8/09 I was a passenger of a rollover single car accident. I fractured my L1. Was in brace for 3 months before Dr decided on fusion. Fusion of T12-L2.  I returned to work the next month. Shortly after that, I started getting bulging discs...1-2 at a time. I now have 5 bulging discs thru out my back, some with burrs. I have been in pain pretty since the accident. I'm currently on Norco 10mg 4-6 times daily as needed, Lyrica 150mg twice a day, Skelain (sp) 800mg three times a day as needed, and Cymbalta and Lunesta.  The Dr did prescribe Perocet which didn't work either.  This regimen is not effective in controlling my pain. I have had Cortizone shots, and epidural nerve block injections and none work. I am now scheduled to start the trial of Neurostimulator tomorrow. I am not oppimistic that this will work. I'm confused..I don't know if I should be looking for different Dr to "fix" the problem or focus on pain management.

Thanks in advance for any info and support

 

Posted 2/8/2011 7:20 PM (GMT -5)
It's worth doing the trial.
I'd be a bit confused, too, though. 5 levels of issues is usually too many for the SCS to manage. Maybe though if you get relief at 2-3 of them, that will be enough for you to manage on fewer pain meds -- or get better relief from the same quantity of meds you're on now.
I really don't get why if none of the injections gave you any relief whatsoever, why they would go through with a trial. Usually people get a few days relief from the shots & then go to the SCS for longer relief.

If the trial helps, great! Go for it! If not, I'd personally be looking for another doc. Pain management takes a lot of time -- years, usually, to get the pain well controlled. So I wouldn't be so concerned about nothing working so far. But based on what you wrote (& I realize we don't know everything & everything there is to know about you and your medical situation), I have to wonder whether maybe your doc is putting too much hope in the SCS.

Sadly, there's often no "fix" for back probs. As you saw with your fusion, the fusion put more stress on the surrounding joints (i'm guessing) and that caused the additional bulges. So, less aggressive approaches, including an SCS, do have their advantages. My personal slant is to try to find the least aggressive thing that works. Once I get insurance, I'm thinking about trying this fancy new therapy that focuses on vertical traction in combination with PT (simultaneously). I guess we never really stop looking for that "magic cure". Really, though, if it were me, I'd forget about what the MRI says & just focus on getting the pain down to a manageable level. But everyone needs to make their own decisions. ;)

let us know how the trial goes!
frances
Posted 2/8/2011 8:11 PM (GMT -5)
I agree with Frances on this. There is no "magic pill" or "fix" that is going to help with your pain. You should concentrate on managing the pain rather then hoping for a complete recovery. I tried to get the stim and was turned down by the psychologist. He felt that I was not a good candidate at this time and felt that I had not "dealt" with my pain at all. Don't know what else I can tell you, but I do hope you find what you are looking for soon.

Horrible to be in pain all day. Welcome to the CP forum.

Scarred
Posted 2/8/2011 8:46 PM (GMT -5)
Hello and welcome.

I'm sorry I have no information about stimulators. I've never tried that route and can't speak about any of the positives or negatives. I did want to welcome you aboard and to wish you well on your search for help!
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