WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Millions of people across the country suffer from chronic pain and spend an estimated $100 billion treating and controlling it. Joyce Pulley was one of those people, until she elected for a simple procedure that made "pain," a word of the past.
During Super Bowl weekend in 2001, Joyce walked out onto her back porch during a light right. She slipped on the slick, falling onto her back and breaking the stairs.
At first, she had only a bruise but about two months later, she woke in the middle of the night in excruciating pain.
Over the coming years, Joyce was in and out of hospitals searching for a solution. She had ruptured one vertebrae disk and crushed another. Doctors told her she had permanent nerve damage and it was likely that she would not be able to sufficiently control her pain.
"I cried all the time cause I just couldn't deal with it," said Joyce. "You think this is the way it's going to be from now on. If I was walking out across the street and a car came, I sure wouldn't jump out of the way. You don't want to go on because there's no relief anywhere.
Things may have never improved until Joyce met Dr. Ben Wall, a pain specialist at Independence Back Institute. Dr. Wall introduced her to the neurostimulator procedure and put her on a trial run.
With all neurostimulator procedures, patients are given a temporary device to first see whether or not it is effective for their type of pain.
Instantly, Joyce felt relieved.
"The minute he put it in, it was like a miracle!" said Joyce.
"I've had patients that we've put this in and literally start to cry when they get up because their pain is so much better," said Dr. Wall.
The neurostimulator is a wire attached along the spine that sends electro-impulses that replace pain with pleasure sensations. The battery pack is small and is implanted into the lower back.
The device is similar in function and appearance to cardiac pacemakers and is used for pain in the back, arms, legs and even for neuropathy pain from diabetes.
Joyce carries a portable charger that she uses every few weeks. She places the pad on her skin outside of the battery to transfer energy.
If her pain increases or decreases, she can adjust the level of stimulus she receives from the neurostimulator.
When she drives or if she decides to shut off the neurostimulator, Joyce turns if "off" by placing a simple magnet over the implant.
Neurostimulation therapies are reversible and covered by many insurance companies.
For more information, go to www.PowerOverYourPain.com.
You can also contact Independence Back Institute in Wilmington at (910) -794-8892. Their office is located at 2800 Ashton Drive.
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