A Medtronic Pain Management Resource

Rechargeable Device from Medtronic Provides Relief for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

The following story captures one individual's experience with a Medtronic neurostimulation system. Results vary; not every individual will receive the same results. Side effects can occur. For complete prescribing information, please refer to the Important Safety Information link below.

WENDY’S STORY

“More than anything, I wanted to function like a normal, healthy person.”

The contrast between Wendy’s life before and after her accident is startling. In 1996, she was 26 years old, passionate about rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, swimming, and skiing.

“I was constantly moving,” Wendy recalls.

Then came the accident. While downhill skiing she fell, fracturing her left ankle. The fracture developed into neuroma and led to complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

ENDURING THE PAIN

Each day, Wendy endured throbbing pain in her ankle and she could not easily walk. Anxiety and depression set in. Headaches and sleeplessness followed. Her job and college classes suffered.

“The pain turned me from a very outward person to a very inward person. It narrowed my life,” she says. “I felt hopeless, helpless, and scared that this was how the rest of my life would be.”

Wendy’s healthcare team tried a number of different therapies to relieve the pain: medications, surgery, acupressure, spinal blocks, cortisone, and TENS unit.

“Nothing worked. I was concerned about becoming dependent on the pain pills. More than anything, I wanted to function like a normal, healthy person.”

CONTROLLING THE PAIN WITH NEUROSTIMULATION

During an appointment with her gynecologist for pelvic pain associated with her CRPS, the physician encouraged Wendy to see a pain management specialist and referred her to the pain clinic at the local hospital.

Wendy began working with a pain management physician who told her about neurostimulation therapy for chronic pain. She was told that neurostimulation delivers mild electrical stimulation to the spinal cord area to block pain signals from traveling up the spine to the brain.

The first step to determine if the therapy would work for Wendy was an outpatient trial procedure. Wendy was equipped with a temporary, external neurostimulator for seven days.

“The screening test was like an unbelievable ray of sunshine,” Wendy says. “I got home in the afternoon and that night I took just one pain pill. The next morning I got out of bed and started walking and it didn’t hurt! It was the first time in years! My parents were staying with me for the screening test and they were as amazed as I was. We
were filled with hope.”

Days later, in August 2003, Wendy had the surgery to implant the neurostimulator. Prior to the surgery her physician had discussed the surgical risks, including but not limited to anesthesia complications, infection, and epidural hemorrhage but fortunately she did not experience any complications. However, due to Wendy’s high power demand (she keeps the device on 24/7), she has had to replace the device twice, first in 2004 and also when she received a rechargeable device in 2005.

ENJOYING LIFE ONCE AGAIN

Since the procedure, Wendy has begun getting elements of her old life back. She sleeps at night. She visits with friends. She has finished school and has a job. She goes hiking and biking.

“There are some things—like skiing—that I may not be able to do again because the injury to the ankle may never be fully healed,” Wendy explains. “But neurostimulation gives me 80% relief of my pain.” Although uncommon, Wendy is aware an undesirable change in stimulation, described by some people as uncomfortable, may occur. Others have experienced paralysis, erosion of the skin over the implant site, hardware malfunction or lead migration, and loss of pain relief.

Wendy says that her lifestyle is different than it was before the neurostimulator. “That’s the best part—I’ve found new activities to do, like kayaking, that aren’t painful. Before, when I talked to family and friends, my ankle was the center of conversations. Now people hardly ask about it.”

Wendy still takes an antidepressant every other day, a smaller dosage of nerve suppressor drug, and one Aleve® at night—a considerable reduction from the 10-12 pills she had been taking prior to neurostimulation. She now has the Restore® rechargeable neurostimulation system. “I can control the levels of impulses and change to different programs, which allow me to meet specific pain needs for different types of activities. I recharge every two to three weeks, and am able to vacuum, do dishes, and make dinner, all while recharging. The device allows me to make changes on an ‘as needed’ basis.”

Wendy states, “It’s amazing how much my sense of humor has returned. It’s great to know that someone believes me, and that there are ways to lessen my pain.”

SERVING AS AN AMBASSADOR

“I became a Medtronic Pain Therapies Ambassador because I saw an opportunity to help others find relief to their chronic pain by providing a patient’s perspective on how Medtronic neurostimulation therapy works. I wanted to give others hope that there are treatment options for their chronic pain. This is a great opportunity to call in and receive answers from the perspective of someone who has been through the whole process. The people I have talked to have been so thankful for having someone listen to them, understand them, and answer questions they normally wouldn’t ask a physician. I tell them how I now have control over my health and healing progress. So often, when you deal with multiple physicians, you start to feel like you have no control and lose hope… but with this device, you have more control and you are an integral part of your own physical and emotional healing. I feel this opportunity gives me a chance to give something back to others in need and make a positive difference in others’ lives.”

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