My Journey with Neuropathy and the Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulator

I never thought much about diabetes, and when I was first diagnosed with Type 2, I didn’t understand the full scope of what I was dealing with. My dad also had Type 2, and his approach was simple – he took his metformin, ate whatever he wanted, and managed to live with it without many complications. I thought that was how it worked for everyone, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for me.

My own diagnosis started with prediabetes for about a year, and my A1C hovered around 5.2 with self-management for several years before climbing. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and over time, things changed. I began noticing that my feet started to feel different, with tingling, coldness, and loss of sensation in my big toes. I didn’t have any idea what was happening, but my balance was off, and I started falling frequently. The feeling of pins and needles in my feet and the burning pain was constant, and nothing seemed to help.

At first, I didn’t realize it was connected to diabetes, but after education I quickly learned how serious diabetic neuropathy could become.

As the years went by, my symptoms grew worse. The nerve pain became unbearable, and I couldn’t walk without assistance. The pain and numbness in my feet felt like electrical shocks running through my legs, and the worst part was I couldn’t seem to find anything that helped. I was falling a lot, too, six times in one year. I felt trapped in my own body.

The Struggle to Manage My Diabetes and Neuropathy

I had been under the care of a primary care physician, an endocrinologist, and a pain doctor, but nothing seemed to work for the neuropathy. I was on several diabetes medications, including metformin, and even though they helped manage my blood glucose, nothing addressed the constant pain in my feet. I tried a variety of treatments, physical therapy, medication, and injections, but nothing brought lasting relief. In fact, I became so debilitated that I needed a caregiver to help me with daily tasks. My life was limited to sitting because standing for long periods was too painful.

When I had spinal surgery to address an L5-S1 fusion for spinal stenosis in my lower back, I hoped it might improve my symptoms. Instead, it only worsened the neuropathy. I was unable to walk independently and needed a cane, a walker, or even a wheelchair. The pain and the burning in my feet were unbearable, and I was experiencing an electric sensation shooting down my legs and into my feet. The pain from the neuropathy was constant, and I began to lose hope.

The Road to the Spinal Cord Stimulator

My pain doctor, who had been helping me manage my back issues for years, was the one who suggested I try a spinal cord stimulator. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think. I’d heard of them, but I was hesitant. I thought it might help my leg and lower back pain, but I didn’t believe it would do much for the neuropathy in my feet. After all, I hadn’t heard of spinal cord stimulators being used for neuropathy, just for general pain management.

Still, I was desperate for relief. My pain doctor arranged for a Medtronic representative to meet with me and explain how it worked, and she assured me that the studies show it could benefit those with neuropathy. She emphasized that I would have a trial first; if it didn’t work, it wouldn’t be permanent, so I could always try something else.

The idea of a trial was what convinced me to move forward. I didn’t have much to lose, and the idea of getting at least 50% pain relief was more than worth a shot. I was willing to try anything to improve my quality of life, especially since I had just become a grandmother and wanted to be able to play with my grandson. The decision wasn’t easy, but I decided to give it a shot.

The Trial Period

The trial phase was the first step, and it gave me a chance to see if the spinal cord stimulator would actually work for me. The trial involved placing temporary leads on my spine, which were connected to a small external battery pack. I had to wear the battery on my back, and the Medtronic representative made daily check-ins to adjust the settings as needed. The trial lasted seven days, and I noticed a huge improvement during that time. For the first time in years, the constant burning, tingling, and electrical shock sensations in my feet began to subside. I was getting 85% pain relief, and I couldn’t believe it.

But then came the hardest part of the process – after the trial, the leads had to be removed, and I had to wait two weeks before the permanent device could be implanted. This two-week waiting period was tough. It was like getting a taste of relief and then having it taken away. I could feel the pain coming back, but it made me more certain than ever that the spinal cord stimulator was my best option.

The Implant Procedure and Immediate Results

The implant procedure was quick and straightforward, done as an outpatient surgery. I was put under anesthesia, and in just a few hours, the spinal cord stimulator was implanted. Both my doctor and Medtronic made sure I was well prepared and supported for the process and it wasn’t as scary as I expected.

After the implant, I had to wait a day or two before I could start using the device. They explained how to use it and set me up with a remote that allowed me to control the intensity of the stimulation. The first time I turned it on, I was amazed at how much relief I felt. The electrical pulses from the stimulator gently stimulated my spinal cord, masking the pain and providing relief to my feet. The stimulator didn’t completely take away the pain right away, but within a couple of days, I started noticing a difference. The burning sensation in my feet diminished, and the feeling of pins and needles started to fade. I could feel the bottom of my feet again, and for the first time in a long while, I wasn’t constantly aware of my pain.

It took about two months before I noticed the full effect of the stimulator on my neuropathy. During this time, I continued with physical therapy, but the stimulator played a key role in my improvement. After those two months, I walked independently, with no cane, walker, or wheelchair. I could even run around with my grandson, something I never thought I would be able to do again.

The Impact: Life Changing

It’s been over three years since I had the spinal cord stimulator implanted, and I can honestly say that my life has been completely transformed. Before the stimulator, I was practically housebound. Now, I’m 85% pain-free and more active than I’ve been in years. My A1C levels have improved, and I’m able to focus on my diabetes management in ways that were impossible when I was in so much pain. I no longer have to rely on a long list of medications to try to manage my pain. I was taking 16 different medications for pain before the stimulator, and now I don’t need anything else for my neuropathy. I haven’t had to adjust my stimulator settings at all. I just make sure to charge the device every few days, and that’s it. I feel like I have my life back.

Advocacy and Advice for Others

If you’re dealing with neuropathy or chronic pain and diabetes, I strongly encourage you to talk to your doctor about the spinal cord stimulator. Many people with diabetes end up on common medications for pain, but they don’t always get the relief they need. For me, the key was finding a solution that worked for me, and that took communication and persistence. You are your own best advocate, and if something doesn’t feel right, it’s important to push for alternatives. I made sure to talk openly with my doctors about my symptoms and how they were impacting my life. My pain doctor was the one who really took the time to listen and suggested the stimulator, and I’m so grateful he did.

One of the biggest things I want to share is that you get to do a trial first. It’s not a permanent commitment upfront. You get to see if it works for you before you go through with the implantation procedure. If you get relief, it could change your life the way it changed mine.

As a patient ambassador for Medtronic, I have the opportunity to share my experience with others, and I encourage anyone dealing with neuropathy or diabetes-related nerve pain to learn more about spinal cord stimulation. It’s not a magic pill, but for me, it’s been a life-changing solution that has given me back my independence and quality of life.

It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m thankful every day that I made the decision to try the spinal cord stimulator. If you’re dealing with the same challenges, don’t give up. There’s hope; sometimes, the right solution is just a conversation away.

Key Takeaways and Resources:

• Learn more about the Medtronic spinal cord stimulator: https://www.dpnrelief.com/?utm_source=DiabetesSisters  
• Communication with your healthcare team, education about your options, and persistence with finding the right solution are invaluable. If needed, don’t hesitate to ask for a referral to a neurologist or a pain management specialist.
• Be your own advocate! If your pain management plan isn’t working, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about other options, like spinal cord stimulation.
• Pain relief isn’t just about masking pain; it can help you regain mobility, improve your lifestyle, and even manage diabetes more effectively.
• Spinal Cord Stimulation can offer significant relief from diabetic neuropathy, even when other treatments fail.
• The Trial Phase allows you to experience how well the device works for you before committing to the full implant.