He had nine surgeries, and it’s still not fixed. She was waiting to get her stimulator battery replacement. In this video, Derrick talks about his progress after Epidural Stimulation treatment. Every person differs in how effective SCS therapy is for them. More often than not, chronic pain affects not only the patient but also the patient’s family and inner circle. CAUTION: The law restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician. Electrical signals stimulate the spinal cord and relieve pain. This is a … I feel great,” Dennis said with a big smile. PATIENT STORIES SPINAL CORD STIMULATION. Related: Opioid Stewardship: Our Proactive Approach to Addressing the Opioid Epidemic, Dennis’s case clearly defines the pitfalls of utilizing chronic high-dose opiates. I turn on my stimulator, hop in the plane, and go. This article is a great place to start as you explore this treatment: ( Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain: What You Need to Know). They’re on top of everything, and I’m sure I’m never going to have pain problems again.”. On top of that, they’re still looking out for me. Hear stories from people who have been in your shoes, have chronic pain, and use a Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) system to help manage their pain.*. This provides low-level electrical impulses to interrupt transmission of pain at the level of the spinal cord … Spinal cord stimulators require two procedures to test and implant the device: the trial and the implantation. For others, Spinal Cord Stimulators are not helpful and can possibly make someone’s situation worse. is a […] Dennis recommends, “If you’re looking for a pain management specialist, go to Advanced Pain Care. “My doctors didn’t have a solution for my pain except for pills. It’s a reminder to connect with those that need support and continue to offer solutions that can give you the pain relief you deserve. I’m back to playing golf and exercising. At high-levels and chronic use, opioids can have a wide range of behavior changes, such as increased irritability and anger, decreased immune function, and lowered sex hormone levels. Your Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) system is designed to help you get long-term pain relief in different parts of your body, so you can get back to your daily activities and feel like yourself again. I’m 70 and active. I could get up in the morning and I could put my feet on the floor without fear...", "I am really happy because I have gone back to doing what I could not do before. The girls got Mum back. Thank you all for sharing your stories about spinal cord stimulation! After getting so much helpful information from this website over the past several years, I decided it would be good to offer my own story for those who are considering having a spinal cord stimulator implant. My wife and kids were extremely frustrated with the lack of help, and my mood changes. Lydia Michaux was training a fellow employee in September of 1994. Jamie was reluctant at first, but the side effects of the medication he was taking to reduce his constant pain and allow him to function prompted him to revisit the stimulator option. In Sandy's case, even her pet parrot had to adapt. I’m back to playing golf and exercising. Dennis says if patients are the right candidate for a spinal cord stimulator, they should, “Do it. Since spinal cord stimulators utilize electric impulses as well as magnets, there are a few precautions users must keep in mind, including: Do not drive or use heavy equipment while the stimulator is activated. Call or Text to Schedule Your Appointment. This is the full video interview with one of our patients who had life-changing success with the Nevro HF10 Spinal Cord Stimulator. Derrick came across Unique Access Medical through a comprehensive research on the internet. He suggested I see Dr. Dennis, so I decided to check it out,” Dennis explained. The pain didn’t go away, “It only intensified. I could tell they were extremely concerned about me.”, That was when Dennis met Dr. Dennis. What Is the Success Rate for Spinal Cord Stimulation in NJ? According to Dennis, “The drugs were devastating my family. The procedure involves implanting small electrodes on a wire near the spinal cord. It was a horrible time for my family.”, Dennis sums up the experience as, “I almost went off the deep end.”. I’m 70 and active. With this technology, suffering is inexcusable.”. Spinal cord stimulation is a minimally invasive surgery that uses small electrodes (leads) to deliver electrical current to the nerves in your spine to treat your pain. ", "I really do hope in the future people are offered SCS therapy much sooner. “Do It. It’s important to take some time to review the basics and learn important safety information. Spinal cord stimulation is a valuable and worthy option that deserves consideration. ", "What matters to me is the day-to-day and that I don't have any pain. The other employee was unhurt. On-Site Services; Primary Care; Cardiology; Specialty Care; Our Providers; Patient Information. I thought it was great, so I knew I wanted the full implant.”. They contact me and ask how I’m doing. Spinal cord stimulator story. A trial is first performed for patients to assess whether or not spinal cord stimulation may help your pain. This is because, for many patients, that’s all the help their physicians give them. In other words, opioids have substantial negative mental, emotional, and physical impact for patients who feel like there are no alternatives. I turn on my stimulator, hop in the plane, and go. Real Success Stories. Read more > “During the trial, I found at least a 60% pain relief on the first day. DRG stimulation works in a similar way, but instead of targeting the spinal cord itself, the neurostimulator delivers electrical impulses to the dorsal root ganglion, a bundle of nerve cells located just outside the spinal cord. Eventually, I had so much of an excess, that as the pain got worse, I was taking anywhere from five to fifteen Vicodin a day,” said Dennis. Lydia Michaux was training a fellow employee in September of 1994. Pain relief made personal. I was an entirely different person under the influence of opioids,” he continues. For some people, Spinal Cord Stimulators are very helpful. “My golf buddy, who was in a similar situation as I, got an implant and raved about it. In Dennis’s case, with the amount of surgery required, a spinal cord stimulator was a more effective and less risky option. When someone is suffering from significant and chronic pain, anything that helps them is a good treatment. Dennis felt as if his prescription was permanent, and though he didn’t want to be on the medication, he felt as if he couldn’t function without the medication. “In several weeks, my implant was healed, and I completely let go of the opioids that were destroying me. Spouses, siblings, and even children can be called upon to help with meals, laundry, and other aspects of daily living. In the meantime, our Patient Education Specialists can help you take the next step toward finding your relief. About. Like Dennis and many other patients (including our founder Dr. Malone), a spinal cord stimulator could be the treatment that frees you from being trapped by debilitating chronic pain and opiates. Sandy's story. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an innovative technology that addresses some of the most difficult pain problems experienced. Recovery from complex spinal surgery is frequently a family affair. Real Stories From People Who Use Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) Every person differs in how effective SCS therapy is for them. The degeneration and pain were so severe that if injections didn’t work and he went the surgical route, he would have needed a four-level fusion that would require at least a two year recovery period.”, To Dennis, surgery was never an option, “I have a friend that had spinal surgery and fusions for his back pain. Dr. Dennis recalls their meeting: “During his initial evaluation, I saw that Dennis had multiple spine levels that had significant issues such as spinal stenosis and bulging discs that were causing radicular nerve pain in his legs. Even though he disclosed this information to his doctor, his physician would continue to prescribe the pain medication since there were no “apparent” alternatives. Indications for Use: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Spinal Cord Stimulator Systems are indicated as an aid in the management of chronic intractable pain. If you disregard this notice, Boston Scientific disclaims any liability in respect of your access to or use of information contained in the site. DRG stimulators can block pain in parts of the body where spinal cord … Success Stories Spinal Cord Stimulation Helps Relieve Debilitating Back Pain. If you are attempting to access the site from outside the UK then please exit the site. Dennis was a full-time systems engineer, taking care of over 300 large servers for The Home Depot Corporation. Of course with any option, there are success stories and then there are horror stories. ... Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) You should consult your pain management specialist to make a final determination. Success Stories. The system is trialed by placing the leads temporarily to assess the response to the therapy. in Northwest Indiana is a leader in neuromodulation or spinal cord stimulator trials as well as other leading-edge treatments for pain. Home; Specialties & Services. Dennis adds that the moment he walked into APC, “All the attention was on me. Some days my pain was a nine out of ten. While this is an older post, we wanted to chime in with a new spinal cord stimulation resource we recently released on SpineUniverse. But Lydia felt that she herself may have pulled a muscle in her back. Don’t waste any time, because the more time passes the more pain you have to suffer.