Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Surgery Neurostimulation Devices

Hi, i am new at this so please bare with me! I was diagnosed three years ago and have yet to find something to control my pain (so many allergies, so little time). I was wondering if anyone of you wonderful people have heard of neurostimulation devices or had any success with an implant?
Looking forward to hearing from anyone,
slacker1

I certainly have.. I ruptured a disc in my lower back in October and neurosurgeons have basically refused to touch it due to its location and my AS. I am going Tuesday to have the trial stimulator placed so we can be sure it works before getting the permenent one. Below are links to some very informative sites. The Medtronic page is an interview with Jerry Lewis who has one of their implants. It is a very eye opening interview. you would never think that this funny man had been so low. The Advanced Bionics site is the stimulator that I am shooting for.

http://www.medtronic.com/neuro/ttp/ps_jerry.html
http://www.advancedbionics.com/

I hope that these are helpful I will keep everyone aprised of my continuing adventure in the Alternatives Forum.

Keep Kickin'AS
Chris

Hey there newbie, I'm glad Chris found this and answered your post, he's the one to go to for info on the stim. I just wanted to add some positive reinforcement. I worked for many years in physical therapy and have had a few patients with these stimulators and they have all been pleased with the outcome. I does come down to each individual, where the area is that is causing the problems, and what is causing it so as usual sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't but it's always worth a try.
Cindy

Hi Chris,

Glad it worked so well for you! I tried something similar - TENS machine (?), but it did nothing at all for me, so I ended up having the surgery instead
It never ceases to amaze me how well some things work for some ppl but not for others, but I s'pose it shouldn't.....

Good luck,

Sue

Hi Sue,
Yeah, I go tomorrow to start the trial run ro see if this is the fix I am looking for. I am familiar with the TENS units. In comparison the TENS is like a shotgun effect, spreading the stimulation across the back. The SCS is more of a rifle shot, the leads go right the the nerve giving the pain signal to the brain. And with the number of leads used I can customize programs so that I can just have it stimulate the nerve from my right SI, beings that where it hurts at the moment. And this is all implanted, and operated via a remote control. I just hope the grand dughter doesn't get ahold of it..lol It wouldn't be a pretty picture to see an old, stiff ASer break dancing..lol

Keep Kickin'AS

Chris

Oh Chris! What a picture!!

It sounds as tho this type of treatment has come a very long way since the TENS machine? I've never heard of it b4.....something else to add to my list of ???? for my rheumy on Thursday! Thanks for the info
Anything that doesn't involve drugs and/or surgery has got to be an important alternative. Do hope it works for you. Please do keep us updated.


Good luck with the trial run!

Sue

Yep, it sure wouldn't be belly dancing..lol Well there would be alot of belly..lol

6 hours and counting for the trial run..

Keep KickinAS
Chris

How are you getting on Chris? Any improvement yet?

Sue

Hey Sue,
I survived the trial run of the stimulator and all I can say is it was fantastic !!! Instead of pain there was just a tingling like when your hand goes to sleep of course with the remote you could take that sensation from that nice soft tigling al the way up to a train wreck that felt lke it was going to rattle the teeth out of your head. The weird part was while you would feel a very strong vibration at the higher ranges, there was no outward sign, you didn't shake, or your voice didn't break, it just felt like it should. After a few days of getting used to it and playing with the different settings on the remote I found that you could turn it down farther than you might think and still get relief. I am now waiting for the insurance approval for the permanent implant. They took the trial out on Tuesday and Wednesday was a major let down. It was like crashing after a major adrenaline rush. I hurt in places that I didn't know I had. But as the week has progressed that is leveling off to my "normal" level.

Thanks
Keep Kickin'AS
Chris

Hi Chris,

That's great! I hope your Insurance co. doesn't keep you waiting too long - I can imagine the "let-down" feeling after the success of the trial must have sucked!
Still, at least you know how good the results can be now

Did I tell you my Rheumy has applied for me to start on Enbrel? Yay!!
Just waiting for the script to arrive, assuming I get the approval, so I can get started
Then I have to keep my fingers crossed that it'll work for me!

Good luck, and take care,

Sue