Spinal cord stimulator

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I'm not sure if anyone can respond to this post, but thought I would try. I will be having a spinal cord stimulator implanted in the near future. I have a lot of lumbar stenosis and peripheral neuropathy that is to extensive to have any injections or surgery. If the trial is successful, I qualify to have a permanent one implanted. It's a long process beginning with a psych evaluation to rule out anxiety and depression issues. I'm wondering if this procedure will make my incontinence worse. I'm not sure I want to through this even if I pass the trial. Anyone here familiar with this?

 

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I too have a lot of pain in my back due to spinal stenosis and peripheral neuropathy. My lower back from L1-L5 and S1. My back is is mostly cobalt rods and screws. I am left with total incontinence 24/7. I wear diapers all day and night. I leak urine constantly. If I had to do I it over, I’d never have the surgery. My pain specialist wants a spinal cord stimulator put in to relieve the pain, but no more surgeries for me or implants for me. Be real sure that it will work before you decide on the stimulator or surgery. My recommendation is not to have it done and find a good pain doctor. I now use pain meds to control my pain. Just be cautious and think it through carefully. I hope this helps. They want me to have a sixth surgery now to go further up my spine with hardware. Because of scar tissue they’ll have to go in from the front making that surgery much more risky. Good luck!

 

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Yes I had the trial SCS (spinal cord stimulator) surgery and best advice I can share is do your homework. My trial was 10 days and I elected to have it removed.
My opinion (keep in mind this is my opinion based on my pain and everyone is different) the SCS is like "robbing Peter to pay Paul". I mean when you're having pain they instruct you to increase the "stimulations", so either you have pain or you're being shocked.
The best way I can describe it is if you're having pain in your back and I smash one of your fingers with a hammer, the immediate pain in the smashed finger will take away your back pain. But as soon as your pain leaves your finger your back will still be hurting. I hope that makes sense?
Keep in mind I had it done over 20 years ago and I'm sure the procedure has come a long way. Also depending where they place the leads you might be awake for the surgery, I was and I kept asking the doctors to please move the lights because they were burning my back.
You wont be able to turn, twist, bend over or do anything that moves your back in a twisting motion. I had to wear one of those stupid cone looking things you put on dogs after surgery, so you feel bad and you'll look stupid.
Again, this was only my experience so keep that in mind.
No, the SCS does nothing for your incontinence except make it absolutely impossible to change yourself!