Living With a Spinal Cord Stimulator: One Year Later 

Great video, I'm sorry you had to go through 3 years before they did it. In my case they sent me to a specialist that stuck needles into my muscles and nerves to check where the problems were, that was painful, after that they told my dr and according to him they told him I needed it right away but first I had to go through a psychological evaluation to make sure I would be able to handle having it in my body. I am so glad I went through with it cause it has helped alot. I have to recharge mine every 6 days. Thank you for doing the video

Thank you for the SCS videos, I have my trial coming up on the 20th of this month for my lower back .. I'm so nervous. Your video's helped a lot. Thanks again.

I have the nevro scs permanent one. If it wasnt for it i would not be able to walk upright. Ive had three failed back surgeries and if it wasnt for the scs i thought about suicide just to end the pain.

Hi Leo.. Great to listen to your straight-talking video. I am having my permanent implementation on the 24 of October. For me, the trial just got better each day. As you mentioned about the lack of sleep when I told the doctor I had the first full uninterrupted night's sleep in six years, I don't mind admitting I broke down in tears. 100% respec sir. No sugar coating just the truth, what everyone needs.❤

Thanks for this Leo. My consultants are now going to explore the nerve stuff in my brain, but who knows when. Unfortunately pain meds do next to nothing for me, even the morphine based stuff. To be honest, I’m really struggling at the moment and my mental health is in the toilet. Nobody can do anything though, and talking isn’t going to fix it so I’m hoping to squish those emotions into a box and bury them somewhere like normal. Especially if you’re on RU-vid, people see the best of you, which is often a small percentage of your existence. Keep on keeping on fella, I hope it continues to improve. Oh BTW you have a ghost moving the blind behind you now and then LOL

Thank you for this series of videos and your honest approach. My husband also lost functional use of his right arm due to an SCI caused by a car accident almost 18 years ago. He has lived with chronic neuropathic pain ever since. It’s recently escalated to the point of him getting on the path to an implant. Listening to your experience has eased our worries about the procedure. Much appreciated. Cheers.

Hi Leo , I just wanted to say a massive heart felt thank you for the 3 videos you have put out on re the Nevro SCS . I only found and watched all 3 yesterday as I have been searching for a UK patient experience for ages and there's nothing out there that goes into as much depth as you have done. You have helped me understand so much more about the process of the SCS and the emotions I have been struggling with associated with living with chronic pain. I too am a patient at Walton Neuro hospital and have been on the SCS pathway for 3.5 years and today finally had the Nevro SCS Trial fitted, I mentioned to Hannah the specialist nurse that it was watching your videos that provided me with the reassurance that I needed. Like you say the medical and all hospital staff are outstanding and supportive but being able to identify with another patient has been invaluable to me. So from the bottom of my heart thank you for what you've done you are an inspiration. Take care and wishing you continued good luck with your SCS journey.

Thanks Leo, your videos on your quest for a spinal stimulator and about having a spinal stimulator have been very informative. The trial worked very well for me. The permanent was put in 3 weeks ago. I’m still sore from the incisions, but the stimulator has probably cut the pain 50 to 60 percent already. I have the latest version of a Medtronic spinal cord stimulator. It has a contentious closed loop technology and it automatically senses my movements. We are still in the adjustment phase, but so far I’m pleased. Having chronic takes a real toll. The last few nights I have been able to sleep through the night. This is a major improvement. Leo do you need anything for breakthrough pain?

Thank you! Question are there certain ways you cannot twist or crunch with the implant? Mines for pain in my left flank which ive had my gallbladder removed which wasnt the reason for the pain. The doctors said it nerve pain stemming from the thorasic region. Thank you again for your video.

My stimulator never worked and the 2nd battery had been dead since at least 2016 or 2017i want the damned thing out. Its probably making my pain worse.

Great video open and honest Is the device forever or will it in xx years time need to be replaced?

Hi, just a quick question, how long did it take after the trial device to get the permanent one? Thank you

What is your average pain for 1 out of 10 ?

Hi Leo, hope your well, Not me personally but my son, Cameron I know what you mean by tunnelling , when Cameron had his surgery as a child in Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool the surgeons had to tunnel a tube from a shunt which is valve with a spike in to the brain and a tube the other end that is tunnelled down through his neck to his chest and in to his stomach so that his CF fluid from his brain can travel down to his stomach. Cameron was born with Spina Bifida and Hydro Cepholis which is water on the brain that is why he had a tube from his head to his stomach. I am happy for you and it been a year and now you can control your pain I know its not a cure but you can manage it . They are good specialists in Walton Hospital in Liverpool and now Cameron is under Walton now. It's good to see you are doing fine and treatment is working well, It's good to talk about this and to hear your experience on this. Always good to watch Take care mate

Hi Leo, Thanks for sharing and congrats on how your disability woodworking channel is going. Still in the process of making my mind up so it's great to hear real experiences. 38 years of pain for me this year and cope by staying busy. Take care my friend. James One Handed Maker

You can learn to work with physical disabilities, but to be in constant pain is a totally different ball game. I totally understand why it would affect your mental health, even something simple like toothache for a few days can be debilitating, never mind having pain for years. It's great to hear that this has made a huge difference to your life 👍 I'm a cyborg as well, having a Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (pace maker) fitted after heart attacks and dropping dead ... I can't charge mine, so it needs to be replaced every so many years (probably around seven years for me) 😁

Hi Leo I wish I'd spoke to you more at makers Central. Although we have different abilities I took live with chronic pain and the depression and anxiety. Keep up the good work buddy 👍👍 Phil

I’m sure glad it’s helping, you should be so proud of yourself in what you have accomplished

Thanks for the update Leo, it's great to hear that things are improving for you.

👍👍👍 An honest and inspiring video. Thank you Leo