1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Spinal Problems

Dorsal collum stimulator[Boston brand]

Posted , 3 users are following.

rodney02388
rodney02388

Hi to all long time back neck and shoulder problems plus i have fibromyagia bursitis repaired in both shoulders and now have it in my hips.Im 55yrs old had chronic pain all over body for more than 20yrs,i had a dorsal collum stimulater fitted last yr.Its taken a few more months than most people as ive had alot of surgery on my top and bottom of my back over many years which has caused alot of scar tissue and made it harder for surgeon to get wires to the top of my neck.I would recomend getting a DCS Boston brand as it is for multiple body areas and i felt alot less pain than some surgeries from the past.It works by blocking the pain signals to your brain from your legs back arms etc as it started in my lower back and legs but i tried to keep working as long as i could which was a mistake as now i have problems all over but can feel better even tho its taken along time i would still do it again.I am now dropping more and more morphine because DR Mathew Green is who did the opp and wants me to cut as much out as i can because the the pain killers can interupt DCS.Its not always going to mean no more pain killers but when i stopped all medication before the surgery i felt much clearer in the head,i have been thru hell and back and couldnt sit stand but now i can but need to be aware not to stand or sit too much other wise you increse the pain.I live in Adleaide Australia and it has been used here since the seventies but no Dr ever told me about it.My GP has made it possible to see the right people once i showed him the information.I still have bad days and nights but feel when all the swelling and scar tissue calm down i will got more relief as it seems to get further down my back and legs since 4August 2016.Im on Skype if anyone wants a chat rodney.brown50.I wish you all the very best and hope it helps,i wish i had know about this site when i had lots of questions i wanted to ask.bye

2 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • kathy07828
    kathy07828 rodney02388

    Posted

    Hi Rodney,

    I' m thrilled that the DCS is working for you! I've been suffering from a bout of fibro over the past 2 weeks and didn't really know until you posted this that it helps with fibromyalgia pain as well. I want to jump out of the window when my chiro applied a TEMS unit on me because my hypersensitivity couldn't tolerate the feeling of low frequency electrical stimulation. I would need one like the Nevro, which uses high frequency electrical impulses that can't be felt, but with a battery the size of yours. The Nevro's is as big as a remote control and tends to get warm as it's working. I'm hoping that there's more research put into spinal cord stimulation to relieve chronic pain, because scientific advances in this area have been very slow. I think the pharmaceutical companies make a much bigger profit by keeping us on the meds for many years, rather than developing devices that are merely implanted once. So, you had his surgery last August? I too have loads of scar tissue from a reckless Dr., that was further impacted by a complicated fusion. I had great concern about whether a SCS would complicate things further. Did it take you a while to become accustomed to the electrical stimulation? It sounds like things are calming down. Can you please explain this a bit more? The dr's I've spoken with don't really get involved much after the surgery with fine tuning the unit for the patient, but turn you over to the company rep to speak with. Thank you! ~kathy

    • rodney02388
      rodney02388 kathy07828

      Posted

      Hi Kathy the boston DCS also has HF and a Burst function that you dont feel anything but i like and need the feeling i get as it helps over ride the pain the more i turn it up.I have had a tenz machine for 20yrs and they work on muscle,DCS works on cutting the pain message to your brain.It takes time for some nerves to recover form surgery,again i didnt think the pain was a problem from the surgery and the only time implant gets hot is if you are charging it while sitting or laying down,i charge while walking and there is no problem at all.I still see my surgeon each time i see technician.I would be concered if surgeon dropped me after opp,i have seen him many times.I had a test surgery over a yr ago to see it=f it is good for u and was told u need to tell Dr that u get atleast 50% pain relief or u dont get to have opp.Then u have to wait for up to 6months before permanant opp to stop any chance of infection.I was over the moon during the fisrt wk of temperary DCS i got relief,i was amaized as i had stopped taking 30mg Kapanol morhine slow release and many other pain killers,when it comes out its painless just a few stitches out and away u go dreaming about having it done permanantly.Talk to your specialist about the right machine as mine is a bit bigger but u dont see it,i have it working up to my neck down my arms legs fingers etc,its for fibromyalgia but has taken years of serching to find out information.Even my GP didnt think it would be for me but bam im on my way.I still have bad days but after tea at night can be rough,we have to pace ourself stop the preasure of ever expecting to be able to climb mountains,its a must to do everything surgeon says to do.All the best bye
    • kathy07828
      kathy07828 rodney02388

      Posted

      Thanks for explaining everything to me Rodney. Both pain dr's I have seen told me that only the Nevro unit can't be felt. It's ridiculous that I can't get a straight answer from anyone. I don't have typeo pain that you do. My fibro shoots all around the front and back of my chest, but I would imagine that any SCS would be addressing my lower back pain. I think I need to begin to investigate more info on your machine. Thank you!

      Take Care,

      ~kathy

  • Enna1
    Enna1 rodney02388

    Posted

    Hi Rodney is the stimulator like an internal tens machine? I am in Spain where the health system is better than uk.

    My doc thought many moons ago that I had bursitis, she needs to go back to school as I wasted so many years caused by her.

    Mind the Dr here is no better cos she she speaks the local dialect but she is as good Dr I have heard that she has liver cancer...shed is very thorough and spends a lot of time with you but I have gone past her now..

    I am sorry I can't help you - its not a bad site its not been thought out very well though.

    Anne

    • rodney02388
      rodney02388 Enna1

      Posted

      A tenz machine works on muscle with a little nerve,DCS works on nerves only but if u dont like the feeling you can change it on remote control any time u like to HF or Burst where you dont feel a thing.I find that i need to feel machine so i can adjust,much easier than a tens machine because if u go the wrong way it wants to take your arm of,my son thought it was funny to do to his Dad.I have a Boston dorsal collum stimulator,it takes time for nerves to come back after permanant surgery but do the right thing,no lifting bending hands above the head etc and you could feel brand new in a second hand body.All the best worth having a go for sure.
    • Enna1
      Enna1 rodney02388

      Posted

      Yes I think it does work like a tens because I had times when I had it on high and didn't know and yes it just about makes you jump doesn't it. The last time I used it I lost the lead down a filthy toilet - leave you with that thought !!!!
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.