There are several types of neurostimulators. For those I am familiar with, patients have seen improvement from many different types (different manufacturers). I strongly recommend the DRG neurostimulator from St Jude Medical (now owned by Abbot). The scientific test for the DRG models show an 84% success rate. That factor alone should point you to DRG.
Some neurostimulators are for specific functions or specific ailments, so you have to rely on the doctors and product reps plus your research. But for pudendal pain, the DRG is the best model to use.
What type of neurostimulator to try
What type of neurostimulator to try
Kit Male age 74 Sitting pains started 10/2003. I have had about 14 years of pudendal nerve pain, including 3 surgeries by Ansell, Filler, and Hibner. None did any good. But finally, I discovered the DRG (dorsal root ganglion) neurostimulator. It was implanted on Dec 28, 2017. It has been a miracle to me. My quality of life has improved 95%, and reduced the pain by about 60%. Anyone with Pudendal pain should consider a DRG neurostimulator.
Re: What type of neurostimulator to try
Very helpful info, Kit. Thanks again!
April
April
Re: What type of neurostimulator to try
Hi Kit, you have had your stimulator for some time now...any regrets or disappointments? Do you feel buzzing in your private area? I am seeing a new pelvic pain specialist on Monday and will of course be asking about this. I have an awful feeling of pressure and burning type pain although I am told I do not have a pelvic hernia. No doubt the six surgeries has cause severe nerve damage over the years. I am going to try cymbalta again to see if that will aide in depression and anxiety. When I have that awful pressure feeling, it makes me so very anxious. After 25 years of trying this would be a miracle if it helped me. It will be great that you can sit and enjoy the super bowl!
Re: What type of neurostimulator to try
Sorry to take so long to reply. My drg Neurostimulator was implanted on dec 28, 2017. This is my status now.
1 I can sit in a soft chair or on cushion as long as I want . This is a miracle to me.
2. I can drive as long as I want . Another miracle.
3. I still have pudendal nerve pain , but it is masked by the drg unless I do the very few things that I cannot do.
But if that happens, the recovery time is very short. An example. For the past 12 months, I could not wear blue jeans. I had to wear very light fabric slacks. That is because the jeans moved my penis too much. As a test, I tried to wear jeans about a week ago. In ten minutes, I was at pain level 9, and changed clothes immediately. Previous to drg, it would have taken 1 to3 weeks to recover from that. With drg, it took 20 minutes. The drg recoverability is just amazing.
4 I still take the same methadone quantity. In mid March, I will try to reduce the meth some, but don’t know yet if I can reduce it.
5. I certainly have no regrets. I have no buzzing or zaps or feeling of electricity. Just no feeling at all from the drg at all.
6. If anyone has questions, please put them anywhere on the forum, or send me a pm or email at
Kitmcdowall2@ Gmail.com.
1 I can sit in a soft chair or on cushion as long as I want . This is a miracle to me.
2. I can drive as long as I want . Another miracle.
3. I still have pudendal nerve pain , but it is masked by the drg unless I do the very few things that I cannot do.
But if that happens, the recovery time is very short. An example. For the past 12 months, I could not wear blue jeans. I had to wear very light fabric slacks. That is because the jeans moved my penis too much. As a test, I tried to wear jeans about a week ago. In ten minutes, I was at pain level 9, and changed clothes immediately. Previous to drg, it would have taken 1 to3 weeks to recover from that. With drg, it took 20 minutes. The drg recoverability is just amazing.
4 I still take the same methadone quantity. In mid March, I will try to reduce the meth some, but don’t know yet if I can reduce it.
5. I certainly have no regrets. I have no buzzing or zaps or feeling of electricity. Just no feeling at all from the drg at all.
6. If anyone has questions, please put them anywhere on the forum, or send me a pm or email at
Kitmcdowall2@ Gmail.com.
Kit Male age 74 Sitting pains started 10/2003. I have had about 14 years of pudendal nerve pain, including 3 surgeries by Ansell, Filler, and Hibner. None did any good. But finally, I discovered the DRG (dorsal root ganglion) neurostimulator. It was implanted on Dec 28, 2017. It has been a miracle to me. My quality of life has improved 95%, and reduced the pain by about 60%. Anyone with Pudendal pain should consider a DRG neurostimulator.
Re: What type of neurostimulator to try
Thank you for your reply. I find it encouraging that you do not feel the buzzing that external tens units cause. I am starting some pt with a new provider and the doctor in the clinic is trying to track down the closest Dr that uses the drg device. I can not imagine a day without feeling something was wrong due to the pelvic symptoms I have endured this since 1994. Six months ago I lost my husband of 53 years. He was my rock and without him I am just beside myself. I am using subutex 2mg four times a day and Effexor xr for depression. For-me, this journey has been extremely difficult emotionally. To endure five failed surgeries is indescribable. I will be 72 this summer. Had a very difficult delivery in 1972 followed by a suspension. Lifting a heavy box in 1994 caused pain. I agreed to a hysterectomy and it has been just God awful ever since.
They do not tell us that a hysterectomy weakens and can destroy the anatomy of the pelvic floor. Please ladies, get two or three opinions before you have this surgery! So hopefully I am on the path to being able to do another stim trial...I have had two failures...With this new device.
Kit, please keep posting every so often to give us updates and encouragement.
They do not tell us that a hysterectomy weakens and can destroy the anatomy of the pelvic floor. Please ladies, get two or three opinions before you have this surgery! So hopefully I am on the path to being able to do another stim trial...I have had two failures...With this new device.
Kit, please keep posting every so often to give us updates and encouragement.
Re: What type of neurostimulator to try
Grammy,
I'm so very sorry about your loss. How terribly heartbreaking. And I'm so sorry to hear about the failed surgeries. I hope the drg works for you.
April
I'm so very sorry about your loss. How terribly heartbreaking. And I'm so sorry to hear about the failed surgeries. I hope the drg works for you.
April
Re: What type of neurostimulator to try
Hi Grammy,
How difficult it must be for you to continue on after the loss of your husband, especially with trying to battle continued pelvic pain.
I am grateful to Kit for sharing his amazing success with the DRG neurostimulator and hope this will help a lot of people who have failed other treatments. Maybe this will finally be the answer for you, Grammy.
Violet
How difficult it must be for you to continue on after the loss of your husband, especially with trying to battle continued pelvic pain.
I am grateful to Kit for sharing his amazing success with the DRG neurostimulator and hope this will help a lot of people who have failed other treatments. Maybe this will finally be the answer for you, Grammy.
Violet
PNE since 2002. Started from weightlifting. PNE surgery from Dr. Bautrant, Oct 2004. Pain now is usually a 0 and I can sit for hours on certain chairs. No longer take medication for PNE. Can work full time and do "The Firm" exercise program. 99% cured from PGAD. PNE surgery was right for me but it might not be for you. Do your research.
Re: What type of neurostimulator to try
Violet, sorry to post this here. My PM messages are all still in my outbox. Can you help?
Kit Male age 74 Sitting pains started 10/2003. I have had about 14 years of pudendal nerve pain, including 3 surgeries by Ansell, Filler, and Hibner. None did any good. But finally, I discovered the DRG (dorsal root ganglion) neurostimulator. It was implanted on Dec 28, 2017. It has been a miracle to me. My quality of life has improved 95%, and reduced the pain by about 60%. Anyone with Pudendal pain should consider a DRG neurostimulator.
Re: What type of neurostimulator to try
PM messages stay in your Outbox until the person you sent them to opens them. Then they go into your Sent box.
Violet
Violet
PNE since 2002. Started from weightlifting. PNE surgery from Dr. Bautrant, Oct 2004. Pain now is usually a 0 and I can sit for hours on certain chairs. No longer take medication for PNE. Can work full time and do "The Firm" exercise program. 99% cured from PGAD. PNE surgery was right for me but it might not be for you. Do your research.