Spinal Cord Stimulator for Thoracic
 

Has anyone had an SCS done for the upper thoracic area? My PM made the suggestion last time I saw her. I know they are the doctors but my concern is there isn't much room in that area to thread the leads. I'm concerned with creating more damage. I can't find anyone who has had this done in this area.

I think a neurosurgeon will thread the leads wherever he wants them with little difficulty. That is one of the reasons that SCS is so well reimbursed by insurance companies… because it is a ‘neurosurgery’.

IMHO, they are a symptom masker and don’t address the root issue. I have seen them work for people and be like magic. However, I don’t know anyone who’s gotten more than 18 months of use out of one before it’s ignored or turned off all the time. I have seen people with pain from the implant. The leads will impair future MRI’s. They are not something that they can pop in and pop out easily.

Those are all of my concerns as well. The Pain Management doctor would do this surgery. She's done 2 injections (which haven't helped). I think the SCS and injections are just covering up the real issue. When I asked the PM if my situation would deteriote by masking the pain with the SCS, she told me she didn't have a crystal ball. She also said that she was happy I was being "reasonable" and considering other options. She has no other options and wants me off the meds.

What did you mean by this statement? "However, I don’t know anyone who’s gotten more than 18 months of use out of one before it’s ignored or turned off all the time."

Thanks for your thoughts.

Why does the PM doctor want you off meds in your condition? And the surgeon who would do the op, u mean is someone associated with the clinic?

Sorry just sounds a bit iffy.

sounds more like
 

An ultimatum from your PM re "considering options".. like consider this because I want to take you off all meds. That wouldn't sit well w/me.

Then again I don't know if you get any relief w/meds so perhaps it's not right of me to say the above either. However if there's one thing I feel I've learned with all my spine stuff is to get more than one opinion whenever anyone suggests something invasive or of a surgical nature of any kind.

If you get any benefit from meds such as it addresses some pain issues and/or you're not maxing out doses (such as maxing out on doses and getting no benefit) and/or experiencing any toxicity, side effects or probs to end organs then why stop taking them. Then again if they don't help at all and/or any of the other issues are a concern I can understand the prescribing physician wanting to discontinue prescribing or perhaps looking into prescribing something different maybe long acting to see if that could help with your pain (again I don't know what you've tried or your PM has already tried re prescribing so take what I say re ultimatum and such with a grain of salt).

Can you see someone else or get a few more opinions?