Living with Neurostimulation
| Q. How do I know if neurostimulation will work for me? |
| A. Your doctor will perform a
screening test, which will help to predict whether neurostimulation will
relieve your pain. Testing for neurostimulation can be done as an outpatient
procedure, or you may be admitted for a short hospital stay. You will receive
local anaesthesia, and then your doctor will carefully insert a lead through
a needle into your mid-back. This lead will be connected to an external
screener that allows your doctor to adjust stimulation. During the screening
test, your doctor will ask you questions about the location and intensity
of the stimulation. This process will continue until the best area for reducing
your pain is found. People who do not experience adequate pain relief during
the screening test will not receive a complete system as part of their pain
therapy. Your doctor will also perform a psychological assessment. As chronic
pain involves both your mind and body, it is very important to determine
if there are any psychological aspects of the pain that need to be treated. |
| Q. Will neurostimulation completely eliminate my pain? |
| A. Neurostimulation does not eliminate the source of pain, so the amount of pain reduction will vary from person to person. The screening test (as described above) will help your doctor determine if neurostimulation will work effectively for you. Neurostimulation requires commitment to control pain. Learning to operate the neurostimulation equipment and participating in other therapies such as physiotherapy will help to ensure success. |
|
Q. What does neurostimulation feel like? |
| A. The sensation felt from neurostimulation varies from person to person, but most report a pleasant tingling sensation in the area of their pain. Your doctor may refer to this tingling sensation as parasthesia. |
| Q. Is neurostimulation safe? |
| A. Clinical research has shown that the tiny electrical pulses from the neurostimulation system are safe and do not damage the nervous system. Likewise, research has shown that the materials in the implanted components are also safe. |
|
Q. Are there any side-effects or complications with neurostimulation? |
| A. Side-effects and
complications with neurostimulation are rare, and are only seen in a very
small number of patients. However, neurostimulation does require surgery
and as with any surgery some risks exist. These include infection, bleeding,
hemorrhage and pain at the site of implantation. Unlike some drugs used
to control pain, neurostimulation does not cause drowsiness, disorientation
or nausea. The most common adverse events that may be experienced with the
Neurostimulation system itself include: no stimulation, resulting in loss
of pain relief owing to lead migration or other causes; intermittent stimulation;
stimulation in the wrong location; uncomfortable stimulation, described by some patients as shocking or jolting; an allergic response to the system; programmer problems; or threshold rise (having to increase neurostimulation settings to achieve the same pain relief). Talk to your doctor about the possible side-effects of neurostimulation. |
| Q. Is the system comfortable and will people notice it? |
| A. The system does not make any noise. Most people report that is not uncomfortable or restrictive, and does not interfere with their movements. The battery is unlikely to be visible through your clothes. |
| Q. Will I experience any changes in sensation? |
| A. As neurostimulation
is positional, some patients may feel more changes than others. However, in general the sensation of stimulation remains constant. Some people may feel changes in sensation with sudden abrupt movements or shifts in posture. Changes in stimulationare more common during the first few weeks after surgery. |
| Q. How will I know when the battery on my system needs to be replaced? |
| A. Your doctor will be able to tell the state of the battery during regularly scheduled follow-up visits. When it is time to have your battery replaced, your doctor will remove the device using a minor surgical procedure and replace it with a new one. |
|
Q. What safety precautions should I follow? |
| A. you can safely
use most common household appliances, including microwave ovens, televisions,
radio, remote controls and video games. However, the system can be affected
by magnets. As a result you should avoid extended exposure to theft detectors, airport or security screening devices, large stereo speakers with magnets, high voltage power lines and electric substations and power generators. In addition, various medical procedures and equipment may affect the function of the system. These include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cardiac pacemakers, X-rays, ultrasound, defibrillators, diathermy and radiation therapy. For this reason, always tell any medical personnel that you have an implanted device. |
| Q. Are there any special instructions for patients receiving neurostimulation? |
| A. Strictly follow
your doctor's instructions about proper body positioning, lifting, twisting,
bending, stretching and activity levels to minimize problems. It is recommended
that you avoid extreme stretching or twisting in the first 6-8 weeks following implantation. This allows time for the lead to become anchored in place. It is essential that you keep all follow-up appointments as scheduled. |
| Q. When should I call my doctor about my neurostimulation system? |
| A. Consult your doctor if any of the following arise: you experience additional or unusual pain; you notice unusual changes in the quality of your stimulation; you experience no sensation; you are increasing stimulation more often than normal; or the stimulation pattern changes. |
