Safety and success rate concerns
An_245407 posted:
I went to a pain mgmt dr. yesterday. Last year I had an almost deadly car accident. I lost my right leg below the knee shattered the left leg
which underwent MAJOR reconstructive reconstructive surgery.
I also farctured the c2 vertabrae in my neck crushed my sternum
and broke all the ribs on my right side.
Prior to this accident I was diagnosed with stenosis and
along with 2 herniated and bulging discs in 2006
spondelitis. I now also have degenaritive disc disorder..
the Dr. Immediately reccomended a neuro stimulation implant.
I have found all the negative things that can result from this,
to me the risks seem to out weigh the benefits. Before the accident
my pain was managed with morphine. I currently am taking percocet
which helps very little. I would love some feedback both negative and positive from anyone who has had this procedure. Is a paim pump any more effective with less risk or shoud I just push for my old meds back? Thanks in advance
which underwent MAJOR reconstructive reconstructive surgery.
I also farctured the c2 vertabrae in my neck crushed my sternum
and broke all the ribs on my right side.
Prior to this accident I was diagnosed with stenosis and
along with 2 herniated and bulging discs in 2006
spondelitis. I now also have degenaritive disc disorder..
the Dr. Immediately reccomended a neuro stimulation implant.
I have found all the negative things that can result from this,
to me the risks seem to out weigh the benefits. Before the accident
my pain was managed with morphine. I currently am taking percocet
which helps very little. I would love some feedback both negative and positive from anyone who has had this procedure. Is a paim pump any more effective with less risk or shoud I just push for my old meds back? Thanks in advance
5 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Safety and success rate concernsI went to a pain mgmt dr. yesterday. Last year I had an almost deadly car accident. I lost my right leg below the knee shattered the left leg<br />which underwent MAJOR reconstructive reconstructive surgery.<br /> <br />I also farctured the c2 vertabrae in my neck crushed my sternum<br />and broke all the ribs on my right side.<br /> Prior to this accident I was diagnosed with stenosis and<br />along with 2 herniated and bulging discs in 2006 <br />spondelitis. I now also have degenaritive disc disorder..<br /> <br />the Dr. Immediately reccomended a neuro stimulation implant.<br /> <br />I have found all the negative things that can result from this,<br />to me the risks seem to out weigh the benefits. Before the accident<br />my pain was managed with morphine. I currently am taking percocet<br />which helps very little. I would love some feedback both negative and positive from anyone who has had this procedure. Is a paim pump any more effective with less risk or shoud I just push for my old meds back? Thanks in advance
annette030 responded:
I personally believe that any surgical procedure used to manage chronic pain should only be used when all other non-invasive treatments fail. I find this to be true about most medical situations.
They also all require some followup, and who knows what ones medical insurance will be in the future.
I personally have not had either, and continue to use opiates and other non-opiate therapies for my chronic pain over the last 15 years or so.
Take care, Annette
They also all require some followup, and who knows what ones medical insurance will be in the future.
I personally have not had either, and continue to use opiates and other non-opiate therapies for my chronic pain over the last 15 years or so.
Take care, Annette
Report This| Share this:Safety and success rate concernsI personally believe that any surgical procedure used to manage chronic pain should only be used when all other non-invasive treatments fail. I find this to be true about most medical situations.<br /><br />They also all require some followup, and who knows what ones medical insurance will be in the future.<br /><br />I personally have not had either, and continue to use opiates and other non-opiate therapies for my chronic pain over the last 15 years or so.<br /><br />Take care, Annette
askmejp responded:
Thank you Ammeette,
When the neoro implant was 1st suggested I thought WOW!
I thought maybe this was a big part of a solution. I ahve done more reseaqrch.
Medtronics has only implanted approximately 250,000
since the early 90's. when I called and asked about
the success rate the said, "they did not have that data available and I should ask the Dr, who in this case seems to be a glorified salesman.
I tend to agree with you. Thanks for your response.
JP
When the neoro implant was 1st suggested I thought WOW!
I thought maybe this was a big part of a solution. I ahve done more reseaqrch.
Medtronics has only implanted approximately 250,000
since the early 90's. when I called and asked about
the success rate the said, "they did not have that data available and I should ask the Dr, who in this case seems to be a glorified salesman.
I tend to agree with you. Thanks for your response.
JP
Report This| Share this:Safety and success rate concernsThank you Ammeette,<br /> <br />When the neoro implant was 1st suggested I thought WOW!<br />I thought maybe this was a big part of a solution. I ahve done more reseaqrch.<br /> <br />Medtronics has only implanted approximately 250,000<br />since the early 90's. when I called and asked about<br />the success rate the said, "they did not have that data available and I should ask the Dr, who in this case seems to be a glorified salesman. <br /> <br />I tend to agree with you. Thanks for your response.<br /> <br />JP
Sorry about mispelling your name Annette!
annette030 replied to askmejp's response:
Don't worry about spelling my name right, I knew you were talking to me.
I think the implanted devices may work well for select patients, but I am not convinced we know how to select the patients. Sometimes we just get lucky.
Take care, Annette
I think the implanted devices may work well for select patients, but I am not convinced we know how to select the patients. Sometimes we just get lucky.
Take care, Annette
Report This| Share this:Safety and success rate concernsDon't worry about spelling my name right, I knew you were talking to me.<br /><br />I think the implanted devices may work well for select patients, but I am not convinced we know how to select the patients. Sometimes we just get lucky.<br /><br />Take care, Annette
TDXSP08 responded:
am in agreement with Annette long term follow up is required and down the road when this one dies and you need it replaced you don't know what your medical insurance, social, work, Life is going to be like,you will also be limited to only CT scans, NO X-rays or MRI's depending upon your age and where the device is and where it is connected in your spine you may be required to go on Contraception because a pregnancy would endanger your device there are lot s of reasons to be cautious. And when a company like Medtronic/Minimed will not tell you the ratio of success to failure there is something wrong, i for awhile used one of there external insulin pumps and in 5 years i had it, it was replaced due to it becoming defective 11 times and i know that they keep records of patients that failed on stims and pumps and what not,but you had it right when you said the doctor was there sales man thats exactly what they are they are taught enough about these things to be able to "comfort"patients into buying them and the doctor then id trained to install it and medtronic gets 70% of the price the doctor gets his normal surgery and hospital charges and what not that he bills youu or insurance for and for being a good salesman they usually get 30% back on the price of the pump or stimulator. as they say to Carpenters measure twice cut once, you have by far not reached the bitter end of non surgical pain intervention nobody should be measuring at all.
Peace
Peace
i have no small step for man, but i have 6 tires for mankind,Watch your Toes!
Report This| Share this:Safety and success rate concerns<i>am in agreement with Annette long term follow up is required and down the road when this one dies and you need it replaced you don't know what your medical insurance, social, work, Life is going to be like,you will also be limited to only CT scans, NO X-rays or MRI's depending upon your age and where the device is and where it is connected in your spine you may be required to go on Contraception because a pregnancy would endanger your device there are lot s of reasons to be cautious. And when a company like Medtronic/Minimed will not tell you the ratio of success to failure there is something wrong, i for awhile used one of there external insulin pumps and in 5 years i had it, it was replaced due to it becoming defective 11 times and i know that they keep records of patients that failed on stims and pumps and what not,but you had it right when you said the doctor was there sales man thats exactly what they are they are taught enough about these things to be able to "comfort"patients into buying them and the doctor then id trained to install it and medtronic gets 70% of the price the doctor gets his normal surgery and hospital charges and what not that he bills youu or insurance for and for being a good salesman they usually get 30% back on the price of the pump or stimulator. as they say to Carpenters measure twice cut once, you have by far not reached the bitter end of non surgical pain intervention nobody should be measuring at all.<br /><br />Peace</i>
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