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Spinal cord stimulator

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Mark Redman

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Type 1
has anybody had one of these fitted for chronic neuropathy pain.
Doctor has referred me to see if it is suitable for me so wondering what people think of them and whether they have been worthwhile or not.
Thank you for reading and take care
 
I’ve not heard of them either, wonder if it’s similar to a Tens machine.
 
I wondered that too Lin - then thought that they stimulate muscle nerves. I dunno how well TENS can work with damaged nerves though.

Think I'm waiting for @mikeyB to enlighten us!
 
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Don't know if this is relevant but after my spine op I have foot drop due to nerve damage. I already had some diabetic neuropathy and now it is not possible to tell how much is due to op and what due to diabetes. I was sent to a FES clinic in London (Functional Electronic Stimulation) where an electric current stimulates the nerves to the muscle which lifts my ankle. Unfortunately for me the nerve is too damaged as I only had a response on maximum safe power and then my foot was shot out to the side rather than up!!
I am numb from below knee to top of foot and toes but back of leg and underside of foot has feeling and I cannot tell where my foot is without looking at it - but I now have a carbon fibre orthotic like an elongated shoe horn to go under my foot and up the back of the leg inside my shoes which are now a size larger!! At least it stops my toes dragging and catching on any pavement irregularities causing falls.
 
Sounds familiar, many thanks for your reply.
I hope everything goes alright for you and take care.
x
 
It is similar to a tens but you have a tube placed in your spinal cord, and then the electrodes hopefully placed in the correct positions.
It is done under general anasectic. The rechargeable battery in it lasts between 2 to 8 years look under the nhs and explained better there, it is designed for chronic pain which I am suffering with badly.
 
Well indeed that makes perfect sense - just that none of us so far has ever known anyone that's had one. Constant pain is awful - and the medics must agree yours is, otherwise they'd never have suggested such a solution - I assume anyway. Not the sort of operation they'd do at the drop of a hat I shouldn't think!

Good luck with it - it has to be worth trying. (with all the attendant caveats about GAs, spinal cords etc etc)
 
I know a couple of people that have these & they swear by them. Works really well.
 
Agree with Mark. They wouldn’t do this if they didn’t think it would work. Go for it.
 
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