Guest guest Posted January 8, 2000 Report Share Posted January 8, 2000 Does anyone have any experience with using a spinal cord stimulator? I was wondering maybe about the applicability to a chronic pain syndrome like FMS or MPS (Fibromyalgia or Myofascial Pain Syndrome). Jami Hi Jami, What exactly is this spinal cord stimulator ? I'm going to physical therapy right now and they one of the things (they also have me exercise and do massage and moist heat therapy to me) they do is connect me to this gadget (use things like EKG pads two on my upper back/neck area just below the neck, and two on my lower back just above my.... you can guess !) thing that sends a low current of electric through them. As the therapists say " feels like worms wiggling around " . It fells really tingly there. It's suppose to " relax " your muscels and tissue deep down. My experience with it has been excellent. I wish someone had hooked me up to one a long time ago ! Right now I'm being seen by CIVILIAN Physical Therapists due to an auto accident I was in back in August, but I'll probably be back with Naval Hospital Physical Therapists (could be the civilians working at the hospital or navy personell at their other clinic at the shipyard base in Bremerton WA) for my hips at a later date and I hope I can convience them to put me on that thing too. I once saw someone in the grocery store one day with a gizmo that went around her back and I guess she pushed a button or something when she needed it to do it's thing (like the gadget I get hooked up to -- only portable) and she said it was the best thing that ever happened to her. That she was in such bad pain before that she could hardly get out of bed, much less move around, and now she's able to do her shopping and other things. Still not back to " wonderful " , but MUCH better than she had been in ages. I'd say give it a whirl if you can. Does the VA offer this or would this be an expense out of your pocket ? Knowing the VA (my husband's retired Navy), out of your pocket. See if you can test it out or something before getting into it heavily financially. Also, do research on the internet and through other doctors/folks that you can. To me..... anything is worth a try, providing it's not going to hurt you physically and that it ACTUALLY HELPS YOU, instead of being another gimick that costs you big $ $ $ . I wish you luck with this and whatever else in your life. I hope your pain lessens. I KNOW how bad it is. At least you're able to have Tyneol #3. They put me on Methadone for my chronic osteioarthritis pain (I have it SEVERELY in my hips and moderatly-bad in my back, knees, hands, and jaw). My major complanits are my hips, back, and neck right now. Some due to my arthritis, and some due to the auto accident. The Methadone helps, but at times I have pain that exceeds that. I use to have a prescription for Hydrocodo, but last time I saw my pain clinic doctor, he didn't want to prescribe anymore to me for " break through pain " . He thought the dosage of Methadone was enough. Well....... it's not. I'll have to go back to the doctor I guess and see what else they have to suggest for the " break through pain " . Right now, due to injuries from the auto accident, I'm seeing a chiropractor, massage therapist, and the physical therapist. All 3 have made the injuries from the auto accident more bearable, and has also helped my other pains too, so as long as I rest and don't do too much, I'm OK and can get by. I just have to rest A LOT. More than I like to since I'm only 33 years old and have 2 kids (one 13 one 9), but I guess that's what I'll have to do. Take care. I hope everyone has a great weekend ! G. List Mom of : RecipesAndMoreonelist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2000 Report Share Posted January 8, 2000 At 02:14 AM 1/8/00 -0800, The Murray's wisely said: >What exactly is this spinal cord stimulator ? It is one or more implants into the spinal cord that hopefully block pain with electrical current. Have heard of more failed cases than successes. But that's not a balanced opinion. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2000 Report Share Posted January 9, 2000 Hi Jami, I use my stim for my FMS and MPS, and I have had some good results. My thought is... try it and see. Kathleen in Sonoma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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