My Spinal Cord Stimulator Surgery Journey: From Chronic Pain to Hope 

I have had my scs 2 years now for lower back and leg nerve pain, it did take some time to get the setting right for me. Been a life changer.

I am 75 years old and had my first neurostimulator implant over 25 years ago. The battery in the implant lasts 10 years or so and I had the second unit implanted approx 13 years ago. It helped me reduce (not eliminate) the amount of opiates I take every day. I have Failed Back Syndrome and severe Scoliosis. My pain level on a good day is still about a 6 out of 10. To turn my implant on I use a BIG magnet. The implant is on my right side about where your wallet would be in your back pocket. I recharge the battery with a transdermal charging unit every 2 weeks or so. My stimulator changed my life. I still take a heavy dose of Gabapentin and Hydromorphone 3 times a day but I can still get around. I booked a 4-night and 5-day train trip across Canada for this November and I am bound and determined to make the most of that trip. This trip would not be possible without my implant. I know firsthand what you are going through and wish you the very best.

I have had type 1 Diabetes for 54 years. About 10 years ago I started to suffer from Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in both my feet. It has progressively gotten worse until I am never without excruciating neuropathic pain. This week I got my Nevro Spinal Cord Stimulator implanted surgically and although I’m still in recovery from the surgery and the anesthesia, even just having the stimulator set at the default setting and not even having it customized to my pain, my foot pain hasn’t woken me up once and I would say already I have a good 40% to 50% relief from pain. I’m constantly crying tears of disbelief and gratitude for this chance I’m getting to live with less pain in every step that I take. Unbelievable.

Hi Leo. Glad to see you up and about my friend. I for one think that this should be part of this channel. This channel is about you, your woodworking and what caused you to get into this world of RU-vid. As such I think that those of us who have been with you for this journey want to know if and how the surgery is helping you. Keep going matey.

This is the type of video that could potentially help people for years to come so i think it absolutely should be included on your channel Keep up the great work 👌🏽

I've had sjogrens syndrome rare auto immune disease , I've done the trial and got the permanent implant today. The amount of pain relief is astronomical, the trial only gives pain because it's external. Great idea to get this procedure , relieve pain at the waist , pins and needles bottom of feet , stomach & leg cramps virtually eliminated. You get small twitches where cramps would start and somehow it resolves before the discomfort starts.

Hey Leo, this sounds like it could be a real life-changer. Others here have said it far more eloquently, but I think that something as important as this is in your life, should be shared. I'm crossing everything for it to make a real difference. You've always inspired me to carry on, and you continue to do so. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Since you ask, my feedback... and maybe a feeling I am sure a lot of others will echo, we admire you massively as you overcome you challenges from the accident. It isn't a gawkish thing, you are a decent guy and I just really want to see you doing well. So yes, feel free to tell us what you want to share and I for one will continue to be inspired and amazed by your grit to improve your health and your life going forward... plus of course the amazing skills you demonstrate on your projects. I wish you the absolute best - who knows, medical science moves on and there may be things to add in the future to help you in ways we cannot imagine. All power to you Leo, be yourself, share what you want and you certainly have my support for anything you choose to put out.

Welcome to the world of the cyborg, I joined last year when I had an ICD (pacemaker) fitted ... love the fact that you need to charge yourself ... I need to have surgery every 7-10 years to put a new device in. The fact you are able to feel the lump is a little disconcerting at first, and you'll always feel it (as I do with my ICD) but you soon get to a point where you almost forget it is there. Doesn't really matter what type of pain you are in, pain is pain and the longer it goes on the more detrimental it is to your physical and mental health. I've had nerve pain after having a toe amputated and severe pain from cellulitis in my legs, but this was for say a week in total for each ... the thought of having any type of pain for such a long period of time is for me unimaginable. With regards what you show on your channel, that's your choice and not anyone else ... not interested then don't watch ... to me and others by the looks of it, we are invested not only in your channel but in you as well, you are like a distant friend. Looking forward to hearing that the stimulator works out well for you, it'll be another life changing point in your life 👍

This video helped me be less stressed about my stim trial tomorrow plus I love wood working win win thank you

I've got CRPS just got the phone call on Thursday, I get my op on the 3rd Oct. I'm praying it changes my life.

Having my spinal stimulator installed this morning 🌄

Fine sir I hope thou gets well better soon.

Stay healthy. All my best wishes goes towards you.

Leo, please keep us all updated on your journey. I will be getting my final mri to make sure there is enough room in my back to insert the leads. I have been suffering with this chronic pain for the last ten years. I had microdiscectomy surgery that failed and have moved on to finally getting my spinal chord stimulator transplanted. I can’t wait for it. I so enjoyed your honest video and look forward to frequent updates. Thanks so much. Candace in the USA

For me, absolutely should be here. The community you're part of is genuinely interested and if anyone isn't they can skip to the next video. As a retired teacher I also think you judge the balance of what you share just right.

Thank you. Am anxious😷 Am about to do trial. Thinking Fentynal patch is starting to sound good !

Dear Leo...thank you thank you for posting this info. My sister is about to undergo the trial and she's a little anxious about the whole process. However, it was great hearing about your on the ground experience.

Hi Leo, I suffer with fibromyalgia and ostioarthritis so I know what you mean about nerve and permenant pain. It's a bloody nusance and i'm glad you have found a solution to reduce your pain. All the best, Stuart.

I had this surgery performed about 2 1/2 years ago here in the US. It completely changed my life. I had to consult with a psychiatrist beforehand. The reason for this is because they want you to understand that the procedure is not going to completely alleviate the pain and if you don’t understand this mentally it can tear you up. You were right, the first week is extremely painful but it only lasts a week and it pretty much goes away. The benefits are worth the early problems. I found one program that works for me and there are days I never touch the controller. On really bad days I crank it up for a little while. You’re right, it’s not for everyone but for me it was a miracle cure.

A fantastic insight into pain management and the new technology , Leo. All the best with the implant programme. Truly inspirational.

Thanks. I have been on this journey since 2012

Definitely interested in how you're progressing. You achieve so much despite the chronic pain and the loss of use of your hand. I hope you get significant relief soon.

Hi Leo. You’re an absolute inspiration mate. Hope you get the relief you’re looking for. And please keep this content coming on here 👍 Rob

Hi Leo, very pleased to hear the immediate post op pain is abating and you are starting to move on to the 'trial phase' of using the stimulator. I hope you find the optimum balance of frequency and strength of the stimulation soon and that it is at least as good as your trial system. Onwards and upwards. Mike

Good to see you back Leo. Hope the recovery goes well. Cheers mate

Leo, so glad, the surgery went well. I think it's great, that you share your journey and it certainly makes your channel, more unique and interesting. Stay well and take the time to recover.

Leo, great job on the video. Outstanding explanation of what a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is and what it does and doesn’t do. After 2 years of physical therapy, traditional and non traditional drug therapy, lumbar steroid injections and other pain management procedures, my insurance approved the procedure. In October 2023, I had the trial procedure and within one week, I opted for a permanent implant. It’s only a few weeks but so far, so good. The best takeaway from your video is the fact that candidates have to maintain tempered expectations as to the level of pain reduction. . The SCS is not a panacea for pain. As you pointed out, it is device that allows many to regain their physical and mental ability to live a somewhat normal life. One final point, this is YOUR channel and there is no need to apologize to subscribers who don’t necessarily have interest in your physical and mental health journey. I look forward to seeing updates.

I am being referred for this and this has helped me no end thank you

I am considering a spinal stimulator and your video is comforting, really. Definitely informative. And your humor and explanations are much appreciated.

Love hearing from you in woodworking or what ever you want to talk about. Take care

Hi Leo. Inspiring story. After waiting three years for treatment with the NHS I was sick and tired of them cancelling my operation date, I have been told it could be another two years. I have at my cost made an appointment with a private hospital and see a surgeon next week. I have been suffering since 1998 I had a very complicated knee re-construction in London. I developed a severe infection which nearly killed me. I could not see any leakage as I was in a plaster cast. On arriving at hospital I was taken straight into surgery to have everything cleaned out. I ended up in hospital a further two times with infections. I found out from the pain team that nerves and infection are not good and the main nerve up my leg is very sensitive. After watching your video, you have given me a great deal of confidence and I now know what will be ahead of me. Thank you so much for sharing your story and good luck for the future.

Thank God for all the brilliantly clever people in this world. The inventions, the thinking so far outside the box and the drive and dedication of them. I hope all goes well for you Leo. All the very best of health to you. ❤

As usual a great video. A yes from me. It’s part of you, your story started with the after effects of the car accident so yes please carry on with the story. Get well soon.

very interesting Leo, Stay strong ( easier said i know) as you know watching your videos helped with my recovery from major surgery and gave me the confidence to push through my issues.

I am so glad to have come across your channel. I’m scheduled to have the permanent spinal cord stimulator in 3 weeks. I’ve been searching RU-vid for as much information I can find. My trial went well, but am dealing with some anxiety about the permanent implant. Mine is going to be for my low back. I’ve had laminectomy from L-1 to L-5. Unfortunately it’s left me in constant pain. I’ve also had 2 fusions and a vertabrectomy in my c-spine. (All from genetics 🧬) I inquired about a c-spine stimulator as well but was told it’s only available for lumbar. Now I’m wondering if I need to make a trip from the US and see what I can find. You’ve given me some hope I’d not had. And you are quite an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your experience. Wishing you continued success and as much decreased pain levels as possible!

Hi Leo, you're kind of my mirror image. I had traumatic brachial plexus injury on my left side (motorbike accident 15yrs ago) fully avulsed nerve root C5 with partial C6. Where we differ slightly due to subluxation of my shoulder I had my arm amputated above elbow & shoulder fusion. All encompassing chronic pain & pain spasms have meant I have tried every possible prescription medication. I was placed on a week long trial of spinal cord stimulation (battery & processor outside my body) at the QMC in Nottingham but found unless the stimulation was on one of its highest settings I had no respite from the pain & so for me the trial was not a success. I stumbled on your channel looking for shed building techniques. I was amazed, here was a man in a similar position to me (I didnt know your story at the time) who was building his own shed......practically alone. Though your channel I have learnt a fair bit about sheds, woodworking & other ways of living with chronic pain. Your channel has lifted me on some of my real bad days where all I wanted to do was sit in a corner & encouraged me to go out & try woodworking for myself (I was a fabricator in a previous life so making things was well my thing) with varying degrees of success & some epic fails. We love your channel because it is about you along with your journey in all things wooden. Please share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with on this channel, your subscribers understand & for those that don't I know a few two word phrases to use. I hope spinal cord stimulation really helps you, I really do, its hard to describe to 'normal' people just how debilitating this chronic & spasmodic pain really is, so any relief you can get would be brilliant. Sorry this is an almost biblical length comment, just wanted to say thank you & keep on healing. Wish you all the very best. Neil.

Best of luck going forward. Thank you for sharing!

Thanks for sharing your accident recovery journey!

Great update Leo, I have spinal stenosis in l4 and l5 and the deferred pain I get in my shoulder is sometimes worse than my back pain... Glad you are on the pathway to pain relive

This came up randomly on my feed, as many months ago I investigated the option of an implant for my chronic pain. This is by far the best testimonial I've watched. Thank you so much for your honesty! Looking forward to finding future updates you may have given in the meantime!

Like all my favourite channels it is the people that make you stick around so hearing more about your health becomes welcome information. All the best to you and yours.

My SCS trial scheduled Oct31, 2023. I'm tired of living with pills and pain.

I stumbled across your stimulator video. My doctors are recommending this. I'm still in the research phase. Thank you for the information. Blessings!

Wishing you well and hope this gives you a major improvement to your future life

Really wish you all the best. Hope this really works for you.

Thanks Leo for sharing. I am feeling better about taking those first steps.

It absolutely should be part of your channel. with everything that happened to you, to come back and build a youtube channel with 11k subs (and will grow) is brilliant! there are not many that could do that. i'm a long time sub and have watched your journey, peter millard suggesting we subscribe. I for one don't regret it ! your're good at this! most of us know your history and would appreciate regular up dates on how things are going. I really hope the implant works for you. all the best mate.

Hi Leo, wishing you all the best and hoping the device is soon assisting with your pain management.🙏🏻👍🏻

Hello Leo. Good to see you back in the workshop. Hope you get the benefit from this my friend. Take care.

Hi Leo glad to hear ur recovery is going well. Absolutely brilliant video ! I personally have no issues with ur content in ur videos. I think it’s as much you as the projects u are doing what I find interesting ( hope that doesn’t come across wrong 😂) I too have a few health issues so it’s nice to get other peoples perspective

Hand I Craft? More like Hand I Phone! Great to see you up and about and I really hope this is what you need to help you with your pain. All the very best to you and keep us updated with how things progress.

Hi Leo Great Video! Please do keep us updated on your journey in your search for a less pain life. I'm sure it will help you as well as possible countless others... A clear title is all that's needed if folk want to skip the personal. Good luck, and best wishes 👍🏼🍻

All the best. Hope things improve well for you.

I've just been placed on the SCS pathway at Leeds General Infirmary. Great video and very imformative. Wishing you all the best for the future and hope the SCS really helps.

Nice one - John Hopkins Institute provides one perspective, you just as valuable, provide another. All the best - Mike

Good to hear your on the mend Leo, fingers crossed for you that they can find the right frequency to eliminate some of your pain, time is a healer you take all the time you need we will still be looking out for your vids and your health I'm a bit gutted you aint got a USB C port somewhere to plug yourself into the mains, but hey ho, take care of yourself 👍

Leo I loved your video. I just got my permanent SCS two weeks ago and am loving it. Mine is neuropathy in feet and legs ans so far it is helping tremendously. Your video is definitely valuable to those who are considering a SCS. My SCS is also a Nevro HFX and I’m bin the United States.

Hi Leo, came for roofing vids, really helpful informative stuff, i hope the op is successful in the long run, you are one of those people helping others and inspiring them in a way the rest of us should be but are not. I will scour your next videos and complain about something to balance this post out a bit .....;-) Keep up the vids please. Thank you!

As always, informative, inspiring and brave. Love from Lithuania matey. Deano

I’ve been booked after years of wait for this ,,,, awfull spine pain affecting my left leg ,,, mmm first cancelled as covid hit ,, then a couple weeks ago gowned up , hospital bed ,, cancelled sent home ,,, a week later ,,, gowned up ,,, seems machine broken ? Sent home yet again Taxi ,,,, I live alone ,,, was a fit 50 year old lady . but these years of waiting ,,, I don’t know how I got through last cancelation ,,,I’m 66 now and struggling alone . Thank you for posting this ,,,, ❤

Thankyou for sharing

Thank you for putting this video out. I am in the process of getting the trial started and am looking for all the information I can get. 3 back surgeries and the last one was horrible and now I am in pain pretty much all the time and am getting tired of taking meds all the time.

Great video and great to see you in your natural habitat. I can just hear the conversation if Pam is asking you to set the table for dinner "sorry love, I'm just on charge"

work for Nevro here in the US, thank you for sharing your story and journey!!!

Thanks Leo, Great insight into your perseverance and determination. As a fellow Brachial Plexus Injury or Monoplegic as I like to say, the chronic pain aspect is sometimes unimaginable for people we meet. I figure the more people like yourself explaining it openly will help others understand the hidden disability of chronic pain. I will reach out to you soon about the long term benefits of your implant to consider it myself. Until then, we have our woodworking RU-vid channels to keep us active and distracted. Take care my friend and talk soon. James

Hello Leo sir I’m taking my hat off to you well done and I wish you all the best in the future I came across your videos for sip roofing which I say was a great help l must admit I was laughing when you first started to charge your battery and your good lady was laughing as well l my self have just had a prostate operation after having a catheter in for over a year and I did go to work and boy sometimes I had some bad pain but I can relate my situation to your pain please keep us updated on your health and as a joiner I think you are doing dam good keep going Leo 😊👍

Thank you for sharing your journey. I am awaiting a SCS to be fitted next year. I am hoping I can get all or at least some pain relief when it is fitted.

Hi I’ve just come across your page and am currently going through the process of being trailed for the scs , I’ve been looking and reading up so much about it ,but you have explained it better than all of those I’ve watched and have put my mind at ease about trailing it. I’ve been waiting over 11 months now from my visit of speaking to the psychiatrist where am due now to go see the nurses who I think will be talking about the stimulator (hopefully) I was wondering how long after seeing the nurse did the rest of the follow up go to day you had it fitted. I too have nerve damage and dystonia which am fully aware the damage of nerve will never come back but if I can get just a percentage less of pain then I will be forever grateful . Thank you for this video you have given me the confidence of going forward . Good luck in your recovery and I will definitely be watching your progress here 🙏

This was very helpful. I just got my trial scs today. I would love updates. Thank you

👍👍👍Thanks Leo

Glad its working out for your Leo. Your charger looks so much more comfy than mine, feel like I've got a block of wood strapped to my back 😂

I had a right side brachial plexus avulsion from a horrible snowmobile accident. My pain is ruthless.

Keep us updated every few months please. 😊

Found this video while looking for testimonials that aren't just ads for all of the biotech companies 😆 I had a trial stimulator in August and it gave me 100% relief from the pain I've had for 6 years in my right hand/arm. It's given me so much hope and I have my surgery on the 12th. It's going to be a struggle but I just have to get my Arnie quotes in order and correct people on being a robot. "Cybernetic Organism". Cheers for sharing! I'm going with the Saluda closed loop SCS and will be sure to share my experience when insurance everything is over with so it won't cause any issues.

Best of luck to you and I hope it helps you. I am suffering with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome for 15 years now. A spinal cord stimulator was suggested but I am not sure I want to go down that road.

Thanks

Hi Leo,Thanks for sharing this moment with us. For what you are going through I can not think what you are feeling ,it must be nerve racking .But you are being treated in the best place. The Walton centre in Liverpool it is a good hospital I know that.the surgery is the best. I was there last Thursday with my son ,he has spina bifida and hydrocephalus he got head pains at the moment .he has had 22 operations so far and hes only 21.he dose use a wheel chair and regestered disabled .In his early years all his surgery was done in Alder hay children's hospital in Liverpool that is a good hospital 20 of them were there.I'm glad it's not to far away 40-50 mins/ about 37 miles away from Wrexham I wish you well you deserve all the luck in the world mate and look after your self and see you soon Take care😀❤👍

Hi Leo I’m currently on this same adventure. I’ve had the temporary one and the permanent one. Mine has flipped twice and had to be corrected surgically and has just recently been removed due to being faulty and giving me constant shocks. When they removed it they found that the leads had disconnected somehow and I had an infection in the pocket site. I’m recovering from my recent surgery and in two weeks I will be going back to theatre to have a new one implanted. Mine is for bowel In continence. It does work well when it’s working. All the best. I’ll keep you updated 🤗

I found your video very helpful as I was involved in a car crash in 2001 in which I had multiple injuries & was lucky to survive. I also lost the use of my right arm & was left with chronic pain from the damage to my brachial plexus nerves. Over the years I was on strong medication which my body got too used to so it stopped working as well. I reduced all these drugs as they weren’t working & they made me spaced out. I’ve tried everything including infusions of lidocaine & ketamine unsuccessfully. The pain has got worse over the years & completely debilitated my life. I was so much more active 10 years ago but the lack of sleep & constant pain has made me lethargic & depressed. I’m about to try the spinal cord stimulator & have just had the initial mri so we will see. I’m very slender so am a bit worried about where it will go. Wish me luck as there’s no other option open to me.

Hope it all works out for you Leo and thanks for the honest video I am suffering from ideopathic sensory neuropathy for about 10 years but feet and legs are affected It is progressing in pain intensity all day everyday Yes continual non stop pain is now really wearing me out mentally and physically so I hope to get a trial started soon I have heard about the Nevro which says can give up to 80% relief Like you I would settle for 50% if it works Best of luck to you going forward and thanks for information

I'm in the usa, I had an abbots stimulator installed about 2 1/2 weeks ago after 3 surgeries and a fusion and could no longer deal with the pain. I already have relief. I was a competitive lifter for over 20 years and it destroyed my back. I hope you are much better now bud. Thanks for sharing the journey. Unfortunately, I have a pi ched nerve in my neck that no docs can find the source however mri indicates that I do not need surgery so I requested a nerve stimulation test so I can have a nerve ablation on the correct area. The first ablation did nothing at all. 😢

That was great content Leo. Hope the stimulator works out well for you. Qi charging yourself sounds a bit ‘in the year 2525….’

Thank you for sharing Leo. I loved this video. It's great to see what makes people human and what drives them. Buzzing for you that your on the up. Never forget this is a maker channel. And this is what makes you. Never apologise for being you.

Glad to hear you’re fairing well! Curious to know if you ever had Epidural Steroid Injections prior to the stimulator implant? I unfortunately didn’t have much luck with my stimulator implant. Sadly the electro sensor pad shifted and lost its effectiveness… had it removed.

Nice one Leo - although I definitely may call you Neo from the matrix moving forward lol Ironically I’m watching this at midnight from a hospital bed where apparently they’ve run out of pillows so that’s nice! They definitely need to use the Apple MagSafe charging idea with magnets, that would be cool 😁 Keep on keeping on buddy, I firmly believe sharing stuff like this is good for everyone. Also, your techniques for doing stuff one handed would make a great video, not just for the single handed but for arthritis people almost a plethora of others

I was recommended for this surgery but declined it. Next step was spinal chord surgery to relieve the pressure on my discs. Im only 29, i think im just going to live in pain until i can't take it anymore. Maybe ill try it a few years down the road. This does give me some inspiration, hope all is well

Hope the pain gets less take care look after yourself 👍

Mate, I hope this works for you, for me I had Nevro implant, same as you, biggest mistake of my life, cannot wait to have to have it removed, just like 40% of patients who have had it installed, I really hope it works for you

I had the permanent nevro HFX put in my back a couple of weeks ago. At first it didnt seem to do anything. So i started messing with the settings. Never could get it right. Then my wife took it made an adjustment an now im pain free. Im feeling like my old self again. The only pain i feel now is from the staples in my back. And they are coming out this week.

Mine is going in on Feb 12th ❤

I know how you feel with the pain. Pain does change you a lot I have an aggressive form of rheumatoid arthritis which leaves me in pain 24/7. Had 2 small strokes and suffer with mental issues since covid. I’m on 190mg of morphine a day. I’m glad you’re ok and doing or trying woodwork. I’m trying to do same.

Hope we can all get out for a drink soon!

I was scheduled for a l4-5 laminectomy but I'm putting it off because of 50% success rate and need for fusion after if it destabizes the spine. i have one lumbar fracturevand 8 extruded disks in thoracic spine for 16 years. The pain has gotten worse because i won't take the extended release morphine or fentanyl which the pain specialist recommended because I need my mind functioning. I've been mostly in bed and in 6-8/10 level pain. I'm 68 and living on social security which is ridiculously low. I found out about the spinal cord stimulator and i want to try þhat before i have part of my spine removed. I Thank You. I will check out what i can from you. I came too close to suicide but that's not me and it scared me. I'm Ukrainian American and Never Give Up is strong in me.

My daughter had the surgery and she had a broken piece of metal lodge in her spine. Now she is in constant pain with no recourse

🤞🏻the pain drops once get to the right frequency. PS can you now listen to Liverpool FM internally 😂 Honestly stay safe and get back fit and well.

My spine doctor is trying to force me into trying this as we speak. I don't feel comfortable with it but I also don't know what else to do. I've done it all by this time. 😢 please update us.

Hi! I'm currently on Day 5 of my SCS trial. I have what they are calling chemo induced neuropathy. The stimulator is helping but I have the one that does have paresthesia. I'm trying to figure out how this constant pins and needles will fade into the background. Thank you for posting this and encouraging those of us still trying to get our nerve pain under control.

Here in America I found out from the drs that we don’t have to charge a device. He said it is good for 10 years. What kind of damage does everyone have on b

I hope it’s working for you, I go in for SCS trial in 3 days.