Pacemaker And Nerve Stimulation device

Has anyone on here  with a Cardiac Pacemaker also had a Nerve Stimulation device for Chronic pain fitted? 

From what i gather the pain device looks similar to a Cardiac PM. 

My pain dr is suggesting it as an option at this stage,

i already have a dual chamber PM just wondering if anyone has any experience with such? 

 


3 Comments

Pacemaker and Nerve Stimulation device

by Gemita - 2021-02-26 06:04:25

Beattie, when I first saw your post, I thought about the possibility of issues with safety and having a pacemaker, but the following link on SCS (spinal cord stimulation) I found reassuring, but no doubt you have done your research and your doctors have given you good advice.

SCS is a safe treatment option for various chronic pain disorders in patients who have bipolar cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators.

https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/19/8/1693/4935221

I see Medtronic has a pacemaker like device for chronic pain:

https://www.medtronic.com/uk-en/patients/treatments-therapies/drug-pump-chronic-pain/neurostimulators-what-is-it.html

I have recently had Sacral nerve stimulation for bladder urgency and in the past I have had a course of TENS (prior to pacemaker though), although I believe that even TENS rarely inhibits bipolar pacing, but you need to be guided by your medical team.  My doctors were mainly concerned about the risk for stimulating the heart and nervous system, making my palpitations more likely.

Good luck.  An implant for refractory chronic pain seems a good idea.  I suffer from complex regional pain syndrome, so I would be very interested to hear of your progress Beattie

Thanks

by Beattie - 2021-02-26 06:52:01

Thanks Gemita

Those links are extremely helpful.

I had Radiofrequency pulsing today on my head for  migraine it seemed rather  uncomfortable this time round,  i only got a couple of months out of the last lot i had done , so we want to consider the options of something more permanent.

Have tried numerous different treatments over the past few years!

I will go back to Pain Dr in a few weeks and i guess we will discuss then so will definitely keep you posted! 

pain doctor

by AgentX86 - 2021-02-26 13:10:25

I'd want to keep my EP in the loop on this to make sure  noone does anything stupid.

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