Personal Stories

These stories reflect the experience of individuals who are receiving a Medtronic Pain Therapy for the treatment of severe chronic pain. Medtronic invited these people to share their story candidly. As you read them, please bear in mind that the experiences are specific to these particular individuals. Not everyone who receives neurostimulation therapy will receive the same results as the individuals in these stories. Talk with your doctor to determine if neurostimulation therapy is right for you.

Gloma's Story

After lumbar stensosis set in, Gloma gave up travel and going out with friends. When she heard about neurostimulation therapy as a treatment option, she had the RestoreSensor^® with AdaptiveStim^® implanted in August 2010 as part of an FDA-approved clinical study. Gloma credits AdaptiveStim with her improved pain control and increased activity. "When the AdaptiveStim feature is turned on, I have very little pain," she says. "It allows me to keep exercising and moving more."
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Janice's Story

Janice was in training to become a professional boxer and was working as a bartender. One day while working, she felt a crack in her back and pain that would not subside for years to come. Janice had the RestoreSensor neurostimulator with AdaptiveStim implanted in 2010 as part of an FDA-approved clinical study. "AdaptiveStim knows what I want and need," she says. "I love it."
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Dick's Story

In 1991, Dick was lifting a 75-pound bag of gravel at work when he injured one side of his lower back. The next year, he injured his back again, this time on the opposite side. After 7 years of ineffective drug treatment for pain, Dick was referred to a pain management specialist who recommended a drug pump (intrathecal drug delivery).
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Gary's Story

Gary was working as a painter in 2005 when he injured his back and was unable to work. Eventually he was referred to a pain management specialist. Physically and mentally, Gary reports big improvements with neurostimulation.
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Melanie's Story

Melanie was diagnosed with degenerative joint/disc disease in 1996. After various failed pain interventions, Melanie was scheduled for a neurostimulation trial, also known as a screening test. "The trial was marvelous," Melanie says. "It was such a relief to not have the pain there."
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Carol's Story

A couple of years after having disc surgery, Carol knew something wasn't right. The soles of her feet were becoming numb and her legs and back started to ache. Carol and her doctor tried many different treatment options but they didn't work. "The Medtronic pump has changed our lives," she says.
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Rose Ann's Story

"I tried physical therapy, oral pain medications, counseling, and just about every surgical intervention known to man, but to no avail," Rose Anne says. "When I finally had to accept the fact I could no longer work, I was devastated." During an office visit, a nurse told Rose Ann about a drug pump (intrathecal drug delivery).
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Wendy’s Story

Wendy was passionate about rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, swimming, and skiing. Then came the accident. Wendy fell while skiing, fracturing her left ankle. She tried a number of different therapies to relieve the pain. Nothing worked. Then she got a neurostimulator. Since then Wendy has begun regaining elements of her active lifestyle.
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Jaclyn’s Story

In 2000, Jaclyn broke her ankle while cheerleading. The ankle healed, but chronic pain in the ankle and lower leg remained, limiting her ability to walk, interact with others, and sleep. Physical therapy provided only temporary relief. Her pain physician suggested Jaclyn try neurostimulation therapy from Medtronic.
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Next: Dick's Story

Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.

Last updated: 18 Feb 2013