Hello Cattys, and thank you for replying to my post.
Can I ask some questions???
I had another sympathetic block today, after having gone through two different epiderals(in for a week each). I talked to the doctor about what happens if this does'nt work, as I have had them before with little results. You mentioned that you have had the spinal stimulator put in. The doctor said that could be the next step for me(a temporary one to see if it will work), and then a possible permanant spinal stimulator. What can you tell me about the stimulator you have had out in? Does it help you with your pain?I basically know nothing about them, and any heads up, help, advice, would be great. I'm scared.I've never felt this much pain in al of my life.I need a miracle. I don't want to live this way. Thanks for listening Catty. Blessings!
Curly

Curly;
hi! I have also had the blocks I had about 12 of them then they got to the point where thet didn't work anymore. The stimulator was my last resort. I to was absolutely terrified to have this done. it took alot of thinking and learning about the stimulator to make my decision.

I had the trial put in, which is done in the or. I was kept awake for this because the dr. needs to know when and where you feel the stimulation. I was given a epidural to numb my back and I felt no pain. There were wires coming out of my back and connected to the stimulator remote. This is how the trial is done. You can control your settings with the remote. The stimulator gave me great relief so 1 week later I had the permanent one implanted, this time I was asleep it took about 3 hours. I had 3 incisions one in my back one in my side where they pulled the wire through and one in my lower stomach for the battery pack.
Four days later I got a bad bacterial infection through the whole system and had to have it all removed. I was and still am absolutely devastated I finally found somthing that worked and had to have it removed. so now I am back to square one. I will be seeing a neurosurgeon next month to see if I can have the system implanted again ,it is my only chance for pain relief it dosn't take away all the pain but it does make the pain more tolerable. The good thing about the trial is if it dosn't work then you just have the trial removed but is is worth the try. I hoped this helped some.
Cattys