Does anyone have a SCS - Spinal Chord Stimulator

So a recent MRI showed no further problems with my discs, slight narrowing at the base but nothing to write home about. 5 years on from last surgery with chronic pain and a lot of medication. Final solution would be to fit one of the spinal chord stimulators. Does it work as well as opiods? Does it work on damaged miss-firing nerve endings, will it help or hinder my back spasms? Do I need to come off meds before they put it in permanently? How will they manage my withdrawal from the heavy meds? Will I still need to take Pregabalin?

[Ilmoran]

Hi, I have a spinal cord stimulator, I had it fitted approx 4 years ago and it was the best thing i have had done to help with the pain. My problem was scar tissue from 3 lots of back surgery. Lots of pain and pain medication limited mobility. Post stimulator I can manage my pain, I have reduced my pain medication by about 75%. It is not a cure but does allow you to do more when it is switched on. I can walk further and sit more comfortably so can go out to dinner or a show, where I could not before. You have to be a bit careful with what you do when the stimulator is on as doing too much can make you suffer once it is switched off.

i can tell you it helps with my nerve pain and I reduced my medication post fitting taking the doctor's advice to reduce the medication slowly. I also get my device checked and adjusted on a regular basis.

Hope this helps.

[IChaseDreams in reply to Ilmoran]

Hi IlmoranYou said in your post something that intrigued me. “Pain med limited mobility” can you please explain what you mean ?

[Ilmoran in reply to IChaseDreams]

Hi, sorry if I wasn't clear but my pain medication before the stimulator didn't give me as much mobility as my stimulator gives me now, basically the prescribed drugs didn't work