Nerve Stimulator

Wow! Thanks, very interesting.

I will let you know, I am getting mine in one week! I can't wait!!! I talked to a guy locally that had it done in Februrary. He has only had one migraine all year, and all he did was turn the device up, go to bed, and woke with it gone! He is very excited, was just like me, headache everyday! But he was allergic to imitrex, so he's really happy, he is released to go back to work part time after being on disability for migraines!

So happy for you!

I have a daily headache with 2 or 3 migraines a week. Triptans, like Imitrex, don't help me.

Since my head hurts all the time, I was told to leave the device on all the time. The nurse/specialist said I would not be able to tell much the first day (today) because of the pain from inserting the leads. She said to just find a comfortable setting and leave it there. Tomorrow she said I can start experimenting with different settings.

The device is really cumbersome at the office. The cables keep losing proper contact. I just hope I am able to give this a good trial. I'm not sure what I expected - but I guess I was hoping to feel clear and certain relief right away (plus lose weight and look younger! - just joking).

I really hope it works for you!

I am hoping I will get instant relief too... the guy I talked to locally here said he knew immediatly...

I feel this is the last hope we have.... the meds don't work, it's all I feel I have left. I don't want to be let down again... don't know if I could take it....

Good luck Sherri! We are certainly rooting for you.

Thanks!

Gonna see my Neuro today, get his take on it. He told me before to go for it, what have you got to loose! (I think that means he doesn't know what else to do for me!)

I get the trial in one week, counting the days, so I am!

Well - i guess at least I tried. But , for me, the peripheral nerve stimulator trial did not work well enough to warrant the implant. My pain is too close to my eye. The leads cannot be placed close enough. The skin there is too thin and the lead would erode through. I asked if anyone else had pain so near their eye. I was told no - others have pain in their forehead or cheek which can be treated, but not so close to the eye like me. Aren't I lucky to be so special? That's a rhetorical question - no need for an answer.

Aren't enough margaritas around to improve this Monday.

Sherri, I wish you well and hope your results are good.

Oh Laura,

I am so sorry it didnt' work out for you! That is so unfortunate for you!

I am sitting here on day 3 of a bad one that just won't go away. It is Tues, and I get my trial on Thurs. So I don't want to call my neuro and ask for a steroid, I guess I need to be hurting to see if it's going to work, but the last 4 days has just been pure hell for me. The imitrex and toridal just isn't touching it!

Well, best wishes my friend I hope you find something to help, I really do, Thank you for keeeping me posted on your trial.

I will probably start a post when I get mine to hopefully help others....

Blessings to you and I hope you can enjoy Christmas and New Years.....

I got my trial yesterday. I have to say it was very painful, the wires going in. My insurance company would not approve the anesthtic for pain, glad that's over.... I had a low grade migraine when I went in and as soon as she turned the device on, it went away! That's exciting!

I am using vicodin for the pain, so I think I am getting rebound headaches when it wears off. I am going to try not to use any today. The pain isn't that bad this morning.

I think this thing is going to work for me! I will get it removed on Monday, then decide on a surgery date.

Sherri B!

I am so pleased that you think it may be working. All the best!

I woke up this morning with a terrible migraine, took my cocktail of meds, then was going to turn the device up and it was off! Oh my! Turned it on and it immediatly started kicking the migraine. I'm thinking I still needed the meds though.

I was using vicodin for the pain, and I always get awful rebounds from narcotics. No more vicodin for me! I am feeling pretty good anyway.

Hope you find the trial helpful. How long is yours to last? I've heard it can take a period of days for the procedure pain to go away enough to get a good read on if its working. What wouldn't your insurance approve for anesthetic?

I've heard then doing anything from local anesthetic injections to general anesthesia for the trial, but at least something is typical. Sorry pain meds give you rebound. Best wishes.

I will have the trial for only 4 days. Doc says the longer you keep it in, the more risk of infection. I really believe it's working, but will know more in the next couple days....

Sherri, sounds awesome. I hope it continues to help.

I had the trial on Dec 6th. It was so wonderful. But when they took it off of me, the migraine came back within 4 hours. I am now just like I was before, everday.

I will probably have the permanent put in in January, the Dr. is not doing anymore surgeries this month, and we are waiting for insurance approval.

I will let you all know when the time comes. I am trying to be patient, and am on steroids for Christmas......it's the only thing that is working for me right now.

Thanks,
sherri b

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Try to have a good Christmas anyway.
It should be good just knowing you have some positive step to look forward to.

Still waiting for the insurance to approve the permanent. I am so ready to move ahead. It worked great for me. I think it will be january.

Can't wait... been on steroids for the holiday, it's working , but rough on the emotions, still better than suffering with the pain.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Sherri - I had investigated this, went to a seminar but was turned down by my insurance. I check back now and then to see what happened with you.

Did you get the permanent surgery? I'm anxious to hear how you did if you were successful. I follow a lot of the surgeries on the occipital nerual stimulator facebook site and hope that one day my insurance will approve me. But it's doubtful.

I hope things turned out well for you.

-Cathy

Cathy- Did you or your doctor appeal? It is unheard of to get approved the first time. Most anyone that gets it approved is on an appeal, and often having to take it to an even higher level.

Mine was denied and my doctor is trying to set up a peer to peer call, where he can talk to the insurance doctor and explain why they should approve it (possibility for reduced total costs, no other treatment options I haven't tried, study results, etc). Best wishes.