For the past year, I’ve been dealing with pericarditis, which is inflammation of the pericardium—the sac that lines the heart. It’s been a rough ride with shortness of breath and sporadic chest pain throughout the day. I’ve had to go to the emergency room multiple times because of it. The doctors could see the fluid around my heart but couldn’t do anything until it reached a certain level, so I was left to deal with the pain on my own. On top of that, I’ve got lupus and fibromyalgia, which add their own layers of pain and fatigue to the mix.
After a bunch of hospital visits, I was finally referred to a pain management doctor. At my first appointment, I explained everything—my lupus, fibromyalgia, and the pericarditis. I told him how hard it was for me to sleep at night and how I couldn’t even lay flat because of the chest pain. He prescribed me a 30-day supply of hydrocodone-acetaminophen, one pill a day. I was confused because the pill only lasts about eight hours, and I was in pain 24/7. So, I decided to only take it at night to help me sleep. During the day, I just pushed through because I had to work and needed the energy.
At that same appointment, the doctor mentioned the Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) trial as an option for my pain. He said it was a surgical procedure, and I was immediately like, “Nope, not for me.” He gave me 30 days to think about it, and after doing my own research, I decided it wasn’t something I wanted to do. But at my follow-up appointment, when I told him I didn’t want to do the trial, he said if I didn’t do it, they wouldn’t be able to treat me with pain medication. I felt pressured, so I agreed to the trial.
What is a Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulator?
The Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) is a device that sends electrical pulses to your spinal cord to block pain signals before they reach your brain. It’s usually used for chronic pain conditions like back pain, neuropathy, or CRPS. The trial is a way to test it out before committing to a permanent implant.
The Trial Process
Before the trial, I had to get a psychological evaluation to make sure I was a good candidate. Four days before the procedure, I started antibiotics, and the day before, I took a Valium to help with my nerves. Spoiler: the Valium didn’t do much for my anxiety. The procedure itself wasn’t too bad—just some tight pinches and discomfort. Afterward, they gave me a remote to control the stimulation and sent me home. I Ubered because I couldn’t drive after taking the Valium, and I slept the whole day. They didn’t prescribe me any pain meds, so I just took the hydrocodone I had left.
The First Few Days
The first two days were uncomfortable. Getting in and out of bed was hard, and I could feel the wires in my spine. They said I could go about my daily activities, but that was easier said than done. My back was so tight and stiff that I mostly stayed in bed, only getting up to eat or use the bathroom. The Medtronic technician called to check in, and I told her the device helped a little with my fibromyalgia pain but didn’t do anything for my chest pain or joint inflammation. She explained that because the leads were placed in my lower back, it wouldn’t help with upper body pain or inflammation. Great.
Back to Work
By day three, I had to go back to work. My back was still stiff, and the stimulation didn’t really do much for me. Most of the time, I didn’t even notice it was there. Sleeping with the external transmitter was annoying because I’m a back sleeper, and every time I turned over, I’d wake up from the device poking me in the side.
The Removal
The trial lasted seven days, and the day before removal, I called the doctor’s office to ask about pain management. They said the removal would feel like a pinch, but I could take pain meds if I wanted to. On removal day, I was so nervous I felt nauseous. But honestly, the worst part was removing the bandages. The actual wire removal was quick, and I only felt one strong zap before it was over. I got two Band-Aids and was told not to swim or take a bath for three days.
Was It Worth It?
For me, the Medtronic SCS trial wasn’t a good fit. It helped a little with the neuropathy in my feet and ankles, but it didn’t do anything for my chest pain, joint inflammation, or the widespread pain from lupus and fibromyalgia. I felt like the whole thing was unnecessary, especially since every time I went to the pain management facility, I had to explain my conditions to a different doctor. It was frustrating having to repeat myself over and over again.
But now that I’ve tried it, my doctor says we can explore other options. I’m hopeful that we’ll find something that works for me. If your doctor recommends the trial, it might be worth a shot—just make sure to ask questions and advocate for yourself. And if it doesn’t work, don’t give up. There’s always another option.
Final Thoughts
Living with chronic pain is hard, and finding the right treatment can feel like an endless journey. The Medtronic SCS trial wasn’t the solution for me, but it might work for someone else. If you’re considering it, do your research, ask questions, and trust your gut. And if it doesn’t work, don’t lose hope. We’re all just trying to find what works for us.
