Spinal cord situation Operation
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I am seeking help to fund my spinal cord stimulator operation, which is my last hope for a pain-free life. I have been in constant pain since I was 16 years old with a pilonidal cyst which is a pocket or a cavity that contains hair, skin debris, and other tissue that forms in the crease at the top of the buttocks, near the tailbone.
Between the ages of 16 and 27 I have had 12 operations to drain and remove the growth and fluid but each time coming out with more pain, slightly at first but now it is to the point my butt look like a football
I was told by a pain specialist in 2018 I had nerve damage from all the surgery's being cut in the same spot and was taking 60mg tramadol 2x twice a day.
On the 25th of Feb I went to have an MRI and ended up in hospital where I had a karydakis procedure, this was my only option for some relief although was never going to give me my hope that it could fix it.
Roughly 5 days after the surgery I was told by my local GP it looked fine but a couple of week later I experienced the worst pain in both sides and I had to return to my local doctor who referred me back to the hospital.
The surgeon advised instead of an operation this time he was going to cut to release the fluid from around the surgery area. Visits back and forth to the GP and the hospital have been ongoing, I have taken pain medication since I was 16 due to constant pain, and I just wish to get this under control so I can take my life back and get back to being my usual self!!!
I want this pic above to BEV me again happy go lucky
Pilonidal Cysts
Pilonidal cysts are more common in men and usually occur between the ages of 16 to 26. The cause of pilonidal cysts is not well understood, but it is believed to be related to ingrown hairs, trauma, or prolonged sitting.
Pilonidal cysts cause pain, redness, swelling, and require draining. Treatment usually involves draining the cyst, which I have had multiple surgeries, which have only made the pain worse. I have nerve damage from these surgeries, and I have been taking strong medication for years. I am unable to work and can't do simple things like sitting for extended periods or standing for long. The pain is a constant 6-9 out of 10, and I have panic attacks regularly.
Spinal Cord Stimulator
The spinal cord stimulator operation costs $50,000, that’s nothing else just for the surgical side and I only have $25k and that’s pushing it
I am grateful for any help I can get as I want to be able to live a life without pain.
A spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is a medical device that is surgically implanted under the skin, typically in the lower back. It is designed to deliver mild electrical impulses to the nerves in the spinal cord to help alleviate chronic pain.
The device consists of a small battery-operated pulse generator, which is connected to thin wires with electrodes on the end. These wires are placed along the spinal cord and attached to the generator. The generator can be programmed to deliver electrical impulses at different frequencies and strengths, depending on the patient's pain levels and needs.
When turned on, the electrical impulses from the SCS block or modify the pain signals traveling from the nerves to the brain, which can help reduce or eliminate the sensation of pain. SCS can be an effective treatment option for people who suffer from chronic pain due to conditions such as failed back surgery syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, and neuropathy, among others.
Fundraising team: Spinal cord surgery (2)
Jamie Duggan
Organizer
Devils River, VIC
Timothy Duggan
Beneficiary
Kim Leslie
Team member