Back in June, my orthopedic doctor and I decided to pull the trigger on getting approval for a spinal cord stimulator trial. After 7 months of constant back pain traveling into my left leg, also causing intermittent numbing and weakness, physical therapy and medication only provided temporary and very minor relief. I live in a state of constant pain, often at a level of 9, but sometimes reduced to 7 with minor treatments. I returned to work, but I remain extremely limited in what I am able to accomplish, working 5 hour shifts only 2 days a week. Since returning to work and the pain spreading, my regular pain level returned to an 8 and bad days are a 9.

In June the pain began spreading across my lower back and into the right side, and is progressing down my right leg. With this progression, even simply walking is difficult. My legs experience weakness, resulting in difficulty just standing. My medical team determined with this progression that I require a Spinal Cord Stimulator. With its explanation and an open discussion about the effects and anticipated benefits, I felt hope for the first time in months. I saw a light at the end of the tunnel: an end to my suffering.

My insurance required a couple steps be taken prior to approval: another MRI to determine enough epidural space in my back was big enough for the wire leads for the stimulator, and they required a psychological evaluation to insure that I believed this procedure would reduce my pain. Insurance will not cover a procedure if I am not hopeful of its eventual success. After speaking with the psychiatrist, answering questions with no obvious relevance to my case or health, she approved me for the procedure. With all of this accomplished within the span of a week, it now left the final step for insurance: approval.

At the end of July, the surgery center messaged to let me know insurance had finally approved the procedure! I was ecstatic! Through the entire whirlwind of this year, and all of my medical costs, I felt I was finally getting somewhere. The facility has provided an estimate of $4500, $1660 of which is the doctor’s fee. According to my insurance, I am responsible for only 30% of the cost, which is $1660, but the hospital is trying to make me pay the entire doctor’s fee up front with what’s left of my out of pocket maximum.

Regardless of the cost, I cannot afford to pay all of this up front on my own with my disability and minimal income. I need help reaching the $1660 doctor’s fee, in case my insurance is unable to talk them down to reasonable down payment and letting me make payments after.

I have it set to the amount I was quoted but I am hopeful that I truly won’t have to pay $4500. This is an on going fight with insurance and the facility, as I get more information I will updated everyone and hopefully lower my goal amount.

On the upside, once the trial procedure is done the permanent placement will 100% be covered by my insurance . And so will all my other inevitable future doctor visits.

At the bottom I have placed some information about spinal cord stimulators if you are unsure of what they are and what relief they provide.

A spinal cord stimulator is a medical device used to manage chronic pain by sending low-level electrical impulses to the spinal cord, effectively masking pain signals. It's typically considered when other pain treatments, like medication and physical therapy, haven't provided sufficient relief. The stimulator aims to improve a patient's quality of life by reducing pain, decreasing reliance on pain medication, and improving sleep.

The stimulator consists of a pulse generator implanted under the skin, usually in the abdomen or buttocks, and thin wires (electrodes) placed near the spinal cord. These electrodes send electrical impulses that interfere with the transmission of pain signals to the brain.

The stimulation is often described as a tingling sensation, and it's intended to reduce the intensity of chronic pain, potentially leading to a 50-70% reduction in pain, according to some pain specialists.

Trial Procedure

Here's a more detailed explanation:

During the trial, thin wires (leads) are temporarily placed in the epidural space near the spinal cord. These leads are connected to an external stimulator that the patient wears for a period of time, usually a week or less.

The patient experiences the stimulation and reports on its effectiveness in reducing pain. They also assess their tolerance to the stimulation and any potential side effects.

By experiencing the stimulation firsthand, the patient can make a more informed decision about whether a permanent SCS implant is the right choice for their pain management needs.