Message to Hower: Spinal Stimulator: & anyone else who is interested

[Guest guest]

Dear , Thank you for your very detailed description of your

experience with your spinal stimulator. First let me tell you I am

very familiar with Medtronics because I have a Baclofen Infusion pump

to treat my spasticity that is made by Medtronics. My neurosurgeon

described the stimulator I would be getting as different then yours.

The wire will be placed under my skin while attached to a nickle size

battery, all which will be under my skin. My infusion pump is

implanted in my abdomen with a cathater running under my skin into my

spinal canal. A Medtronics associate was also present durning my

surgery. The spinal stimulator I will be getting is adjusted by

placing a magnetic device over the battery. He said there would be no

external wires. Possibly this could be that it will be in my neck and

not my back. They are scheduling the test procedure and said I would

be hospitalized for 2 days while we see if it helps with the pain. He

made no mention of psycological testing however when we spoke one of

the comments I made that convinced him I would be a canadate was, " My

pain is more disabling then my other disabilites that I have as a

result of my spinal cord and brain injury. I have no surgery on my

neck. My neck was stabalized with a closed reduction with a halo. I

also have tremendous pain in my shoulders and arms which he said the

stimulator could possibly help. I also have the option of having

morphine put into my pump but I would really like to stop using

narcotics which I take orally now. I'm interested to know where your

surgery was done. Mine will be done at MCV in Richmond Virginia. On

another note I just received a copy of the consultation note my

neurologist sent to my surgeon. He told him the pain was in my head

and to just reassure me that one day I would feel better. My

neurosurgeon told me he couldn't reassure me because the pain I'm in

is typical and the norm for people with imcomplete spinal cord

injuries. I am furios with my neurologist about this and am now

searching for a new one. If only he could be in the pain I'm in for

one hour. As I've told doctors in the past, Until you walk in my shoes

don't tell me how I feel. Why do doctors treat patients like this, I

wonder. Once again thank you and I'll keep you posted on my surgery

date....... Pati