Question 1

could anybody have a spinal stimulator?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If you are asking on the indications for a spinal stimulator, the most common is chronic back pain. This may occur after one has had prior surgeries or injuries. The question is whether the spinal stimulator will help with the chronic pain. This is best evaluated by a pain specialist who does an evaluation and test to see if one is a good candidate.

Question 2

can you tell me what is a spinal stimulator?

Accepted Answer

Pain blockade: A stimulator can be implanted in the spine to block nerve damage pain.  It requires a complex evaluation and trial before being implanted surgically.

Question 3

can you still have a pain pump if you already have a spinal stimulator?

Accepted Answer

YES: Sometimes the spinal stimulator lead and generator will be removed first.  It depends on how you do with your intrathecal medicine trial.  If you get good relief of your pain during the intrathecal trial with the stimulator off, the stimulator may be removed.  It also depends if you have a flat/paddle stimulator lead or round.  If it is flat, it may not be worth the trouble of surgery to remove.

Question 4

no there in law is gettin spinal stimulator surgery. had a bad history with pain meds and they are planning to give them to her after procedure. any alternatives that wont leave her in too much pain? will ib 800s work?

Accepted Answer

: Consult a comprehensive pain clinic that offers non-narcotic modalities. Multiple things can help including; physical therapy, gabapentin, massage, therapy, weight, loss, exercises, topical, lidocaine, topical capsaicin and cognitive behavioral therapy

Question 5

i was told i have the decease arachnoiditis , i have a permanent spinal stimulator in an it makes my pain worse then what it was before. i never had test to see if thats what i have . its just my foot that has bothered me from the beginning ?

Accepted Answer

: Would suggest you get some additional opinions.  See a neurologist to assess what truly is the underlying cause of your complaints.  An EMG study can delineate precise nerve issues.  A physiatrist who focuses on pain management can perhaps intervene with a more successful approach.  Good luck.

Question 6

sister had spinal stimulator trial friday her belly bloat there vibration in belly the device removed today can she have permanent or no thanks?

Accepted Answer

Powerful tool: Scs is a very powerful tool to ne used in certain cases .The goal of teh trail is to make the patient see for themselves if it help thie case or not .The best person to anser is the patient herself she knows how much help she got .Recruiment of later nerve in the spine could most of the time lead to abdonimal vibration , it sound from the discrition that the patient benefit from another trial.

Question 7

has anyone got experience with ketamine infusions for crps i & chronic daily migriane? found one doc that does it and was quoted $30,000. thats a lot of $ and she said it isnt guaranteed to work. have done rfa, spinal stimulator, + many meds?

Accepted Answer

Keep calling: Since ketamine infusions are considered ‘experimental’ by insurance companies, you would be required to pay for infusions. While 30k sounds very high, I wonder if it includes multiple treatments. Get other cost estimates, but compare what you are buying. Typical,infusions are by an anesthesiologist while  you are connected to monitoring equipment for safety. We had good success for our patients.

Question 8

cronic foot pain in toes no reason even got a spinal stimulator balls under toes don't touch floor has to ware toe scocks for support all the time?

Accepted Answer

The case already : Must be somewhat complicated if you already got a spinal cord stimulator for your pain. Cases like these warrant in depth conversation with patients as well as physical exam. This forum is limited in space and my suggestion would be to follow up with your current docs or seek another opinoin.

Question 9

spinal stimulator moved yesterday still feeling vibration in belly arms  legs feel  in legs te stimulator was one for 1 day only is that normal?

Accepted Answer

No: Often if you are feeling stimulation in your belly then the stimulator is not in an optimal position.  A stimulator placed in your thoracic spine would not be expected to have any effect on your arms.  As a first step, i would recommend contacting your stimulator rep to see if reprogramming can help with your problems.

Question 10

how well does a spinal cord stimulator work?

Accepted Answer

Depends: They can work very well in the properly selected patient, who has failed most other conservative measures and doesn't have any psychosocial or secondary gain issues.  A trial is done first to make sure it helps before implanting one.

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Doctor answers about:

Spinal stimulator side effects

A member asked:

Could anybody have a spinal stimulator?

A member asked:

Can you tell me what is a spinal stimulator?

A member asked:

Can you still have a pain pump if you already have a spinal stimulator?

A member asked:

No there in law is gettin spinal stimulator surgery. had a bad history with pain meds and they are planning to give them to her after procedure. any alternatives that wont leave her in too much pain? will ib 800s work?

A member asked:

I was told i have the decease arachnoiditis , i have a permanent spinal stimulator in an it makes my pain worse then what it was before. i never had test to see if thats what i have . its just my foot that has bothered me from the beginning ?

A member asked:

Sister had spinal stimulator trial friday her belly bloat there vibration in belly the device removed today can she have permanent or no thanks?

A member asked:

Has anyone got experience with ketamine infusions for crps i & chronic daily migriane? found one doc that does it and was quoted $30,000. thats a lot of $ and she said it isnt guaranteed to work. have done rfa, spinal stimulator, + many meds?

A member asked:

Cronic foot pain in toes no reason even got a spinal stimulator balls under toes don't touch floor has to ware toe scocks for support all the time?

A member asked:

Spinal stimulator moved yesterday still feeling vibration in belly arms legs feel in legs te stimulator was one for 1 day only is that normal?

A member asked:

How well does a spinal cord stimulator work?

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