Hi I'm thinking of having spinal cord stimulation can anyone who has had it tell me your experience?

[Jade22]

Hi I've been suffering with lower back problems & sever pain for years and it's making my life a misery.

All the painkillers I'm on are not helping anymore. I've had 2 set of spinal injections and epdurals, the last lot was last year November since then my pain is even worst. I'm in absolute agony everyday. I'm waiting on another MIR on the 4 of may.

I've been reading about spinal cord stimulation and would like to see if I can get referred, I was just wondering if anyone has had it and could please tell me there expernce & if it's helped with your pain?

Thank you jade

[VELoce21]

Hi Jade22 I have a spinal chord stimulater. I took a lot of time to decide to have it. Like you I had chronic pain that medication didn't touch,oramorph, gabapentin and methadone. The methadone lasts a lot longer in your body. I have a Boston science stimulater because it is one you can have an MRI with. I have reduced the oramorph and methadone by two thirds. I live in Yorkshire UK so I went to the Leeds centre under the care of my pain specialist. Other than post operation infection I have been fine. Before surgery I attended a meeting where I met the nurses and other patients who had the stimulaters. I suggest you do your own research before making the decision. Good luck.

[Jade22 in reply to VELoce21]

Hi VELoce22 thanks for replying I live in London so think it will be in guy & st Tomas if I do have it. I will do some more research it's good to know you can have ones fitted that still allows you to have MIRs. I'm currently taking 600mg of gabaptin 3x a day, butec 20 patch, codine 30mg 4x a day, clonazpam 4mg 2x a day, baclfen 20mg 3x a day & amattriplin 40mg at night, & as I said none of these are helping. I sometimes used to get brake through oramorph but my GP don't like to give it to me that's why im so desperate for something to help. If you don't mind Can I ask you if you was on the waiting list for very long? & how long did it take to recover and get some relief from it?

Thank you jade

[VELoce21 in reply to Jade22]

Hi Jade I take 600mg neurontin (gabapentin) 4 times a day10mg methadone 3 times a day

Otamorph when required for break through pain.

I waited 6 months for the spinal chord stimulator. Unfortunately I developed a post op infection so my recovery was slower. I keep a record of my progress which I’ve found handy.

I do hope you manage to get the help you require.

All the best Jill xx

[Jade22 in reply to VELoce21]

Thanks Jill would you say that your pain has gotten better after you infection cleared up? I wish my doctor would give me something stronger but his adamant that I don't go up on any of my painkillers. When I speak to the pain team on the 24th I'm going to really plead with them to give something stronger or do something to help. I hope your feeling better and the SCS starts to ease your pain. Take care & if you don't mind keep me updated & let me if things goes, hopefully your feel better each day 🤞good luck jade

[Mitch48]

Hi there,I can’t give you any information of spinal cord stimulation, as I haven’t had it.

Have you had the full range of treatments via your pain clinic. You mention epidurals & spinal injections but there are more options than that. There are medial branch blocks which involve injecting a steroid/local anaesthesia around the nerves in your spine to see if that helps with your pain. Those are usually repeated twice if you have some resolution to your pain and are the test treatments before having Radiofrequency Ablation whereby the nerves are heated to try to stop them sending pain signals.

I have cervical and lumbar spinal injuries and have had everything the pain clinic can offer. Radiofrequency has helped the most after surgery (ACDF x 2) and( tomorrow I’m having 2 discs removed from my lumbar spine, 3 vertebrae fused together and 2 slipped vertebrae affected by the condition Spondylolisthesis, made stable with rods, screws, etc).

Have as many treatments as possible, you never know what might work, stay positive and see if you can find a therapist who knows how to deal with chronic pain, having strong mental health helps no end in dealing with severe pain.

I understand spinal cord stimulation is for uncontrolled pain & presume that that type of implant maybe a last resort.

I’ve just seen your meds list, you could ask your GP to increase your Gabapentin. I take 2700 mgs , Fentanyl patch 75mcgs, Naproxen 1000 mgs, Baclofen 40 mgs, Amitriptyline 35 mgs, Duloxetine 60 mgs and Oramorph for breakthrough pain.

I have been injured for 17 years from a road traffic collision (I’m 51) and cannot work due to severe pain from cervical radiculopathy at C5/6 & C6/7,affecting me along the nerve paths to my hands, as well as my lumbar symptoms.

I hope you find some resolution to your pain.

[Jade22 in reply to Mitch48]

Hi Mitch48 thanks for your replie I didn't realise there was so many other options. my GP doesn't want to up any of my pain killers Ive asked him many times. Also the injection I had twice first time worked 2nd time made the pain worst. I've got another MIR on Tuesday and a telephone appointment with the pain team on the 24th of may I'll ask what other treatment they have and mention what treatments you said thank you and good luck with your surgery I hope it all goes well and eases you pain. Please if you don't mind let me know how it goes take care jade.

[Kneesup]

Hi Jade, I have had my Boston scientific stimulator for 9 years now and have found it a great help , you will still have to take all thee medicationbut it gives a lot of relief, if you still need information please contact