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SCS Experiences please. Placement / Dermatomes?
I recently sent Dr. Whitworth a question about Spinal Cord Stimulators. It's clear that there is a ton that I don't understand about them. I'll post my question and his answer here in the hopes that someone can benefit.
If you have any experience with SCS's, can you post here? Thanks in advance for the help, Mark Quote:
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Thanks, Mark I posted this over on Braintalk and with so much more traffic there, I expect there to be more replies. (Braintalk Thread) |
I bumping this thread to the top in hopes that someone out there can contribute their SCS experience. I know there are a couple of very bad SCS experiences here at the ispine forum.
My PM doctor wants me to think about SCS. I see him again in early November. At that time I'll decide whether or not to try the trial SCS. I'm kind of pessimistic about this technology. I think a major pain source is my L4-5 disc. I've found nothing to indicate SCS works on discogenic pain. I have many other pain generators in the lumbar and SI region so maybe it would help with those. Thanks in advance. |
please excuse
the rather stupid question I'm about to ask Jim... but why a spinal cord stimulator vs. a pain pump? I guess when it was explained to me the pain pump is implanted when the amount of pain meds is too much and not quite reaching the pain levels needed or one cannot function on oral pain meds and still needs medicating.
I guess I don't really get if SCS is more of a distraction type of deal than actually dealing with what a pain pump would do or maybe the pain pump is the absolute last resort? I probably should go back and google all this because obviously I'm rather out of the loop here re SCS. Good luck whatever anybody tries! Please post experiences for the benefit and edification of others! thanks, Maria |
Maria,
I don't know the answer to your question, I'm just learning about SCS myself. I take 300 mg of Tramadol/day and 4 g Gabapentin. I also get the impression that SCS causes a distraction from the pain. I have a Boston Scientific DVD which is a sales job. The one animated example they show is for radicular pain in the legs. That is not my situation. I was thinking a TENS machine just presents a distraction so I dug out my TENS unit from ten years ago and wore it 3 or 4 hours yesterday. I think it helped although I had it cranked up very high; my back muscles were contracting and pulling me back with each pulse. It gets pretty uncomfortable. |
Bumping back to the top.
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TENs..
Hey Jim,
I remember I tried a TENS but had to crank it up so high and it didn't really do enough for me. Later somewhere down the road I was given another machine which is a bit stronger to use that actually did help but I can't remember the name of it. When I'm not thinking about it probably I'll be able to remember what it's called and I'll try to get back here and let you know. Now you can order them on the net for a fairly reasonable price I believe. |
Hi Maria,
Mine is a "1st Choice Plus" available online at Bodyclock (UK website) or Amazon UK. It is strong enough for me. It is plenty strong enough to feel more like a straightforward electrocution between levels 4 and 5. I had a thread from the electro pad loose and stuck between the pad and my skin one day and it felt like is was burning the surface of the skin. |
Jim, I'd be interested in seeing the DVD you have... can you mail me a copy or put an ISO file where I can get it?
Thanks, Mark |
Hi Mark,
I'd be glad to mail it to you. I'll mail it on Wednesday. Jim |
re what I have
It actually doesn't feel stronger than a TENS but it goes deeper re the stimulating than the TENS so it's more effective. I still can't think of the what it's called~ not the name but the type of product as it is a step up from a TENS.
Electrocution :D yeah that's what the TENS felt like when I had it cranked up all the way trying to walk thru Target when I used it. It was a waste for me. I gave mine to a friend who found it useful. It works for some and not for others .. like most things spiney related:rolleyes: |
Wowsa, that's definitely worth a try. Even if it's hundreds of dollars it's a small price to pay compared to the disruption and risk of major surgery.
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Mark,
My wife dropped the DVD into the mail yesterday. |
Got it! I'll post when I've had a chance to look at it. If anyone is interested in seeing it, let me know.
Mark |
The contractor restoring my condo has a SCS. He has a triple lumbar fusion, the hardware has been removed. He has failed back syndrone. Yet he is hanging drywall, installing cabinets, painting, etc. He makes me feel like a wimp. He is a retired marine. I get the impression the VA showers him with pain pills. If I get the chance I'll ask him more about the SCS and put the result in this thread.
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name of type of unit
Interferential I believe. I'll have to google it and see if I got it right.
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Yes 'Interferential' produes many results in google. Thanks, Maria, I'll check it out.
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