Chronic pain ? (part 2) Any thoughts about morphine and/or spinal cord stimulator (for Brachial Neuropathy)?

Question

First I want to express my heartfelt thanks for all who are involved in this website (including members). It's been a lonely 3 years dealing with an illness that no one can see (other than the atrophy) andI've finally found your site. It's nice to know that I'mnot alone. nuff said:)

After three years of fighting the obvious I have finally come around to accept that I will likely have chronic pain in my left shoulder for the rest of my life. Boy, it's difficult for me to admit that. Anyhow, my pain specialist just switched me from Percocet 130 mg / day, to Methadone 5 mg 3x's a day. I've been hearing horror stories about Methadone, but I think I'm starting out very low. I've also been advised to consider the Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) implant as a means of pain control. Has anyone had success with the SCS used specifically for shoulder nerve damage (brachial neuropathy)?
My doctor said it's not usually used for this so he doesn;t have much historical data

Answer 1

I just had my full implant of the spinal cord stimulator done yesterday. I had the trial done about a month and a half ago and was very anxious to get the full implant done.
I have Regional Sympathetic Dystrophy which is a disruption of the sympathetic nervous system. It involves constant unrelenting pain, swelling and atrophy. I've been on high doses of medication and undergone multiple nerve blocks that proved fruitless.
The SCS is a blessing and it doesn't have to be replaced for eight to ten years. I can set it for as strong or weak as I see fit and can direct it to whichever site is most troublesome.
It gives me hope for a more normal life with much less pain.
I may not be able to correct the atrophy but so I walk with a limp, at least I "walk". I am today (one day later) much more comfortable and now look forward to tomorrow:-)
My pain management doctor has had good luck with the area your talking about. If I were you I would call Advanced
Bionics (www.advancedbionics.com) and ask a specialist there about results for shoulder nerve damage.
The best of luck to you ! Hope this is of some help as I surely know how it is to live in constant pain.

Juniee

Answer 2

A spinal cord stimulator is generally used for chronic leg pain like sciatica. After 13 years of uncontrolled pain, many meds, surgery and pain management, I learned about the SCS. I was interviewed by 2 surgeons before I had the trial done. I responded sooooo well to it and it helped my pain immensely! After the one week trial, I had the permanent stimulator implanted. That is when all hell broke loose. There was something in the stimulator that my body would not tolerate and despite all the good it did me, I had to have emergency surgery to have it removed. I had a terrible allergic reaction that no one could understand or counteract. It was very disappointing for me, but life goes on... The good news (for everyone else!) is that my surgeon said he has NEVER seen such a reaction and I was certainly a one of a kind case for him, so please do not think this is normal. If you can find a surgeon who will try this implant for you and your type of pain, I highly recommend it. I loved it for the short time I had it.

Best wishes, and I hope you find some relief soon. :-)

Answer 3

Alternative historical data can be found in The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies.
The information is from medical text books written in plain English for the average person to understand.

*******************
It is an alternative means of treatment based on muscles being too tight causing the pain referred to as neuropothy

Have HIM read and apply as well as you informing yourself.
The most you will be losing is $20. and tax
You may regain your life.