Rich D*

Rich is one of a growing number of people who changed careers in midlife. After retiring as an electrical engineer, he went back to school and became a registered nurse. Yet this endeavor was complicated by an unexpected problem—pain that arose after surgery to correct a spine condition.

“I had burning and a real sharp, stabbing pain,” he says of sensations that arose in his hips and legs. “My feet felt like there were marbles in my shoes.” In spite of his pain, Rich continued to care for patients, often on hard hospital floors that aggravated his condition.

Sympathetic co-workers and doctors could sense when his pain was at its worst and would tell him to take a break. Even so, it was difficult for him to get through his shift, especially since he avoided taking pain medication so he could remain alert. “It was tough trying not to display that you were in agonizing pain,” he remembers. “Difficult would be a nice way to put it.” Rich cut back on his work hours, eventually switching over to a part-time schedule.

When his doctor recommended that he try neurostimulation, Rich had no trouble understanding the therapy. He had worked in a cardiac care unit and knew about pacemakers, devices that share a great deal of technology with spinal cord stimulators. Plus he was able to look up medical articles that convinced him that a stimulator might be a good choice for him.

Rich underwent a temporary evaluation that let him see how stimulation would affect his pain. “I had immediate relief everywhere I needed it,” he says. He soon had a stimulator implanted, and his stabbing and other unusual pain sensations went away. He also had less pain overall, which helped him be more mobile and enjoy his time away from work.

“I recommend it to people if their doctors think it would help them,” Rich says of his device. “The worst thing that can happen is that you have the temporary evaluation and don’t get relief.” Rich’s own relief is letting him return to his busy lifestyle. He’s working a full schedule now and pursuing a master’s degree that will let him change jobs yet again—this time to become an instructor for other nurses.

If you are considering spinal cord stimulation and would like to correspond with Rich, email him at RichD@sjmneuro.com.