RestoreULTRA™ Rechargeable Neurostimulator from Medtronic Provides Relief for Chronic Pain: Jody’s Story

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.

JodY’S STORY

Growing up in Indiana, Jody was a horse enthusiast. One day in 1973 while riding, her saddle broke and she fell from the horse onto her neck. Years later the injury triggered painful upper back and neck spasms that forced her to abandon her career as a surgical technician and to begin a new career as an administrative assistant for the director of surgery in a local hospital.

“The pain radiated from my neck up to the back of my head and around to my forehead. There was pain in my right shoulder that went down my arm into my fingers and I had pain in my upper back. It was terrible, I didn’t have a life,” Jody says.

Jody was able to work but focusing was difficult. At the end of each workday, she returned home and took pain medications, muscle relaxants, and a drug for migraine headaches. Then she would lie on the couch until the next morning when she would get up and start the process again.

“I would wake up and feel very drugged and groggy. Some days I couldn’t even drive myself to work and so my husband or father drove me,” Jody recalls. “I felt that I couldn’t go on like that.”

An MRI showed that Jody had abnormalities in the disc space and joints in her neck. This made her a less than ideal surgical candidate, as doctors predicted only a 50 percent chance that surgery would provide relief.

Determined to control the pain, Jody tried other therapies prescribed by her pain management physician instead of surgery.

“He gave me four epidurals and tried two blocks as well,” she explains. “Then in October 2007 he performed a rhizotomy on my neck at C4-5, C5-6, C6-7. It should have provided six months of relief but only gave me two months.” At that point, Jody felt desperate.

LEARNING ABOUT NEUROSTIMULATION

Jody’s doctor told her about neurostimulation therapy. He explained that neurostimulation involves placing a lead (a flexible insulated wire) in the epidural space near the spinal cord and an implanted battery. Together, they send tiny electrical impulses to block the pain messages to the brain.

“My doctor had experienced good results with the technology in other patients. I was ready to give it a try,” she recalls.

Jody underwent a screening test, sometimes called a trial, to see if she was a candidate for the therapy. The trial provided her with an opportunity to try the stimulation temporarily for a week and took place on an outpatient basis.

“I was surprised by how much relief I got during the trial,” Jody says. “About 70 percent to 80 percent of the pain in my head, neck, arms, and back was gone.”

Jody went on to have a RestoreULTRA neurostimulator from Medtronic surgically implanted in March 2008. The RestoreULTRA is a powerful, small system that offers enhanced programming flexibility to target pain. She did not experience any complications, but they can occur. Surgical complications may include infection, hematoma, or epidural hemorrhage. She did not experience other potential post-implant complications such as allergic response to the device, hardware malfunction or migration, or chest wall stimulation.

“The surgery was not a big deal for me,” Jody stresses. “It was outpatient and I came home the same day. I had some discomfort where they implanted the battery in my hip. It took me a couple weeks to lie comfortably on my back.”

Life with Neurostimulation

Jody has experienced significant life changes since starting with neurostimulation therapy.

“I can work in the garden again, something I hadn’t done in a few years. I am back walking my dogs and making meals. My husband and I can go out in the evenings with friends because I’m no longer confined to the couch.”

She is happy that her doctor chose the RestoreULTRA rechargeable neurostimulator. “The system is very small and I like that with my active lifestyle,” Jody says. “With the RestoreULTRA , I can move the stimulation myself to where I need it most. And recharging is easy.”

Jody rarely takes pain medications—just a muscle relaxant on occasion.

“Today I feel awesome,” she says. “I told my doctor, ‘thank you for giving me my life back!’”

"We cannot go back and make a new start, but we can start now to make a new ending.”

- AUTHOR UNKNOWN