Spine Stimulator for pain and maybe works on LE?

cinnamonsmiles

My pain doctor has been pushing all summer for me to get a wire inserted into my spine that tingles it by remote control. When I was getting my licoaine IV infusion, he brought it up again. He said it may help LE. I don't know if he meant the pain of it, or if it helps the swelling. I didn't have time to go into much detail because he has too many patients to treat on procedure days. Has anyone heard of this for LE?

Medicare pays for the lidocain, but they won't pay the $440 for the procedure to put it in me. They tell me they pay for the spinal stimulator for pain though. I am not thrilled of having a wire in me for three days to test it to see if I can handle the tingles it sends out to mask the pain. Even less thrilled that I have to treat myself like after my BMX -no lifting more than a gallon of milk, no raising arms above the head,etc etc. Then if it works, they put the one that stays in (the nurse said scar tissue forms around the wire to hold it in place...another thing that is NOT appealing). Batteries last about 5- 10 years I think she said.