UPDATE ON MY BACK PAIN PROBLEM

Well friends I am feeling that I may have some hope in getting rid of this chronic back pain in the near future. I met with the Doctor in Indianapolis, who does neurostimulation. He feels that I am a good candidate to have this procedure. Spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation use an implanted device--a spinal cord stimulator (sometimes called a pacemaker for pain)--to deliver low levels of electrical energy directly to nerve fibers. This direct approach to treating pain at its source can be very effective. He will do what they call a trial period first. This means they run the leads thru a needle injected in the area where the pain the worst. The leads are then run up the spine. They then connect the leads to an external device that sends an electrictial impulse into the spine that block the pain messages from getting to the brain. After a week or so we then evaluate how it is working and if it relieving the pain, they then surgically implant the device inside my body. There are also some options to keep the device on the outside and you wear it on a belt. This keeps from having to go in and have the internal device recharged about once a year. I believe I posted the website from the company that makes this device, but in case I have not, here it is https://www.ans-medical.com/patient/basicsofscs/index.cfm I feel like I really have some hope now but this procedure is like having WLS. I have to have a phsyc evaluation next week (required by the insurance company... of course) and then it is submitted to the insurance company for their consideration. My prayer is that I do not have to jump thru a bunch of hoops to get them to cough up the money. The procedure runs about $50,000.00 which means a big out of pocket expense for my portion, but if I can get rid of most of this pain it will be worth making some financial sacrifices. So it is set back and wait now. In the meantime I will have to deal with taking the pain meds. Dan

Dan, I'm so glad to hear this a possibility for you. I can only imagine how it is to live with a chronic pain like that. I can't imagine the insurance would deny you and any money you have to pay will so worth it if this works. What good is having the money if you hurt to bad to enjoy it, right? I'll be saying some prayers for you and keep saying them for your friend Jeannie. Hopefully she is on the road to recovery finally. I thank God daily that I was fortunate enough to have this surgery with no complications. It is a risk we all take. Have a good Sunday.

PLEASE tell me how it goes.. it has been presented to Ron but he gets spinal adjustments fromt he chiropractor and I think that would be out if he got the stimulator.. PLEASE keep me informed.. we have to find something better than what he is on!! Linda

Linda I will keep you updated on how this works out for me. This why I post about my back on the boards since several other people or family or friends have been dealing with back pain and might benefit from this technology. By the way I hit the 200 lbs. lost today. Dan

Dan this gives me some hope. I have DJD my back is so bad and I stay in pain at all times. So tired of takeing pain pills. I am going to ask my dr. about this. They tell me I will in up in a wheelchair most likely. Hope this works for you keep you in my prayers.