Implants For Pain
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- malbertson
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- Culture, VC2 Top Contenders US
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- Culture, Current TV, VC2 Top Contenders US
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capilot1
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I am scheduled to have one of these Spinal Cord Stimulators implanted for C-7 nerve damage by a Cedars Sinai Los Angeles doctor.
I broke my neck in 2001 in San Diego. It was fused by La Jolla surgeons working the ER Trauma unit when I was brought in. I was BOLTED into a HALO. Four bolts in my skull attached to a ring. I had a polycarbonate shell strapped onto me with two poles in front and two in back that were locked in place in holes on the ring. It was adjusted to keep my neck from moving.
Two months later I had the first spinal fusion. That was Dec. 2001. The following spring I discovered that the metal plate over the fusion had been put in at the wrong angle and did not allow the graft for the fusion to mate. In July 2002 I had to have another fusion. In 2005 the C-7 nerve was re-injured. In 2008 I was first advised by a UCLA doctor to consider having this implanted.
I researched a lot and of course sought a second opinion and others. I have faith that it will help get rid of some of the pain that persists even with Oxycontin (which I hate - many problems from use, including MAJOR GI difficulties), and 25 mcg/hr Fentanyl Transdermal System. The Fentanyl has some GI problems with slowing the gut and stool, but not as bad, for me, as the Oxycontin.
Watching two of the manufacturers videos that doctors had me view, gives me the belief, encouragement, and hope that I will be able to function more and start to be able to engage in life outside my house more fully again.
- 1 year ago
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capilot1
