Dr. Kenneth Peters

[tressiedell]

Has anyone had personal experience seeing Dr Kenneth Peters in Michigan? I learned from this forum that he is the best in the US for placing a SCS on the prudendal nerve thereby blocking a lot of the pain that we feel? Also for those of you who have failed surgeries why have you not tried a pain pump??

[Amanda]

Hi Tressiedell

Ken Peters is the number two int he World for SCS implantation, he is a very well written Doctor and has vast experience of this therapy.
Most pain doctors will tell you that having a pain pump is the LAST resort because of addiction and tolerance levels to hefty drug medication, the advantage of having an SCS is that it is DRUG FREE...there is no overdose limits ever.
I am this week three years post implantation of a Medtronic Restore system, and it is not a miracle but whoa betold anyone who would try to remove it from me...it is my lifeline and I just wish more people could participate in this expensive yet wonderful treatment of chronic pain.

I will be visiting Belgium again soon, to see Dr Van Buyten a close friend and colleague of Dr Ken Peters....in Belgium they are the Worlds number one Medtronic implanters.
I am attending for my Annual review, to check battery levels and ascertain my useage of battery power by activity - I have a different programme for sitting, standing and lying....it really is like having a micro chip implanted...they can tell me when I sat, lay down and stood and when I recharged etc....however it is very assuring yet a little defeatist too to see how much time I lie down....at last could it was 60% with the sitting time being a mere 3%....not a normal life for sure but its good enough for me.

[Junebug]

I have an appointment for a Sacral Nerve Stimulator trial on September 2, 2010 with DR. Peters in Michigan. He said he had to do the SNS first before he could do the pudendal nerve simulator if the SNS doesn't work. AMANDA please post back and let me know what the procedure was like especially the trial period. Was it painful? Please give detail. I am VERY Nervous!!!

Endometrial Ablation - 2005
Cycstoscopy - 2006
Pudendal Nerve blocks - 2010
Pelvic Floor Therapy on and off for 5 years

Nothing has worked.

[Amanda]

Hi Junebug

i am glad that you have got the best doctor in the US to help you via SCS treatment.
It sounds scarey to have something implanted, but believe me I am now three years implanted and bionic and it is a great help. It is not a cure but i would highly recommend it to anyone.
The actual procedure for the trial involves you having a local anesthetic while they put the leads in place, i cannot say it was not painful, it was more uncomfortable with strange sensations as they fed the leads through the vertebrae.....a lot like having a dentist drilling through a tooth.
once they are int he right place and you can feel the tingling then it is all worth it....i remember crying out with sheer joy at having got some help after years of trying with other treatments.
After the trial depending on how long it lasts, you have to be very careful not to bend at the waist and no lifting at all so that the leads dont move....and of course as you have an open wound no showers at all...I am allergic to normal dressings so had to have waterproof ones but i didnt have a shower for seven weeks as my trial lasted 6 weeks....there are many ways to wash without getting into the shower.
once the trial is ove rna syou are implanted then its easy....the rule of no lifting and bending are for about six months to ensure that nothing moves......I cannot stress that this is the most important time of all to not do anything that can jeopardise the process.
i have recently read some reports of the complications of SCS procedures.....and it is common for people to get infections etc due to not looking after the wound etc. Lifting can cause the leads to move and make it non effective.
i was very careful about my wound keping on dressings for two months post op and not lifting anything at all and no bending....I am so glad i did as it is the best lifeline i have ever had......so please dont be scared look up the medtronic website and read the thoughts of other patients.

Feel free to emai me if you wish

[Kathleena]

Dear Tressiedell: My daughter who lives in Warren Mi goes to Dr. Peters for problems with her bladder. He is an excellent Dr. She has talked to him about me and my pne pain and he has told her he would see me whenever I want. The problem is I have no U.S. coverage.
He is kind and compassionate and very professional, my daughter can't say enough about him. I have put off seeing him because unless I was to try the pain management he offers there would be no point in going to him. I know this isn't really what you were asking but I did want you to know he is an excellent Dr. Kathy