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Suggest Treatment For Severe Central Neuropathic Pain After Installing Spinal Cord Stimulator

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Posted on Mon, 7 Sep 2015
Question: Hi, I had spinal cord stimulator installed 3 weeks ago at t7-8 reason I didn't bounce out of me an ascetic and had bad central neuropathic pain that was settled slightly with a ketamine infusion . How ever I am still struggling with quiet sever back pain that I can't seam to tame.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Read below.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the pain you are in.

Your question has been up for some time but I am answering it only now because to be honest there were some points which were hard to understand. Since no one else answered in the meanwhile I suppose that applied to my colleagues felt the same way too.

It is hard to understand the cause of your pain, I am finding it hard to understand what you mean by "I didn't bounce out of me an ascetic".
Also it might be useful to know what medications you have tried, you mention only normal meds, but different people may mean different things by that, some names would be useful so that I can avoid suggesting something you have already tried and failed.

Coming to the answer, spinal cord stimulator doesn't work for everyone and even in those in whom it works it doesn't mean elimination of pain. Speaking in percentages, only 50-60% of people do have significant pain relief which leaves 40-50% where there is no relief. Also in that 50-60% it is a partial relief, quantified as at least 50%, so some degree of pain remains in most, you should have realistic expectations and be prepared for the fact it might just not be effective for your case.

In terms of medication, the usual first step medication for pain are NSAID drugs like Ibuprofen, Naproxen etc which is perhaps what you mean by normal meds.

If those do not work, medication for central neurogenic pain includes anticonvulsants like Gabapentin, Pregabalin or antidepressants like Amitriptyline, Duloxetine.
Next step if those are not enough are opioid like drugs like Tramadol.

Last resort that you can try in case those do not work either, are opioids which carry some potential for dependence and addiction.

So those are the steps you could try now, spinal cord stimulation doesn't mean necessarily elimination of drugs, often success is called also the reduction of the dosage needed to control the pain.

I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Central Neuropathic Pain After Installing Spinal Cord Stimulator

Brief Answer: Read below. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the pain you are in. Your question has been up for some time but I am answering it only now because to be honest there were some points which were hard to understand. Since no one else answered in the meanwhile I suppose that applied to my colleagues felt the same way too. It is hard to understand the cause of your pain, I am finding it hard to understand what you mean by "I didn't bounce out of me an ascetic". Also it might be useful to know what medications you have tried, you mention only normal meds, but different people may mean different things by that, some names would be useful so that I can avoid suggesting something you have already tried and failed. Coming to the answer, spinal cord stimulator doesn't work for everyone and even in those in whom it works it doesn't mean elimination of pain. Speaking in percentages, only 50-60% of people do have significant pain relief which leaves 40-50% where there is no relief. Also in that 50-60% it is a partial relief, quantified as at least 50%, so some degree of pain remains in most, you should have realistic expectations and be prepared for the fact it might just not be effective for your case. In terms of medication, the usual first step medication for pain are NSAID drugs like Ibuprofen, Naproxen etc which is perhaps what you mean by normal meds. If those do not work, medication for central neurogenic pain includes anticonvulsants like Gabapentin, Pregabalin or antidepressants like Amitriptyline, Duloxetine. Next step if those are not enough are opioid like drugs like Tramadol. Last resort that you can try in case those do not work either, are opioids which carry some potential for dependence and addiction. So those are the steps you could try now, spinal cord stimulation doesn't mean necessarily elimination of drugs, often success is called also the reduction of the dosage needed to control the pain. I remain at your disposal for further questions.