| Kathleen: Lumbar radiculopathy & failed back syndrome (2 months post implant SCS) |
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Fifteen years of pain and a failed discectomy left Kathleen unable to do simple things, like picking up her grandson or doing dishes. After the implant, her pain relief was almost 100% and is able to manage her pain with only minimal medication.
Kathleen says if you're not sure whether to go ahead with the procedure, "Try it. It's four days out of your life -- it's either going to work for you or it's not. I got off the table from the trial and had no pain, so I knew it was going to work for me." Read about Implantable Technologies.
Dr. Greenspan: How long ago did you first start having pain? Kathleen: About 15-20 years. Dr. Greenspan: Did anything cause the pain in particular? Kathleen: No. Dr. Greenspan: And where do you have pain? Kathleen: The lower right side of my spine, down my buttocks, down my legs. Dr. Greenspan: What kind of things have you tried for the pain? Kathleen: I had a discectomy in March. I did pain meds, therapy, chiropractic. Dr. Greenspan: You had a discectomy done in March 2008, correct? Did that change things at all for you? Kathleen: No. Dr. Greenspan: When I first talked to you about spinal cord stimulation, what did you think? Kathleen: I thought it was pretty exciting. Dr. Greenspan: So you had the education, we did the trial. How did the trial itself go? any problems? Kathleen: Fabulous. None whatsoever. Dr. Greenspan: At this point, what percent pain relief did you get from the device? Kathleen: Anywhere between 95-98%. Dr. Greenspan: What about pain medication usage... have you seen any difference in that? Kathleen: I don't take any break-through meds at all. I just do the once a day time-release [med]. Dr. Greenspan: Before you had this procedure, what was the pain doing to your life? Kathleen: Couldn't do dishes, couldn't stand for a long time. Just everyday things - I couldn't do it without being in pain. Dr. Greenspan: Did you find your pain was impacting your ability to work and take care of your family? Kathleen: Pretty much. Couldn't pick up my grandson. I didn't have the freedom to do things with them because I didn't want to turn around and go home early because my back hurt and I couldn't sit for very long. Dr. Greenspan: Were there milestones in your life that you missed out on because of your pain? Kathleen: No, I didn't miss out on any milestones, but they definitely were shortened. If I went to a graduation I couldn't stay for the whole thing; I tried to go. Dr. Greenspan: How has your life changed now because of this procedure? Kathleen: I pretty much do everything. Only takes me 5 minutes to do dishes because I don't have to keep sitting down, laundry's not an issue, I can walk without hurting, so it's good. Dr. Greenspan: A lot of people say when they have chronic pain that they never expected to feel they way they feel at that point in their lives. Did you have the same kind of feeling? Kathleen: Absolutely. Dr. Greenspan: Would you say now that you feel the way that you were meant to feel? Kathleen: Yes... Dr. Greenspan: Any advice to someone who's not sure whether to try the device? Kathleen: "Try it. Do the trial. It's four days out of your life -- it's either going to work for you or it's not." I got off the table from the trial and had no pain, so I knew it was going to work for me.
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