Spinal Cord Stimulation Gives Retired Firefighter her Life Back
More than 100 million Americans live with chronic pain, pain that persists for months and sometimes years.1 Lori Swearingen of Seattle, WA knows about the realities of living with chronic pain all too well.
In 2004, she was working as a firefighter and fell on a patch of ice during a New Year’s Eve shift. She didn’t think much of it at first, but her back and leg pain kept getting worse and wouldn’t go away. In an attempt to manage her pain, Lori received epidurals as often as possible and was taking 8-10 prescription painkillers a day. She tried everything from acupuncture to surgery, but nothing seemed to help. The once active firefighter reached a point where she couldn’t stand or walk for even 10 minutes. As a result, she had to take a medical leave and eventually retired from her 14-year firefighting career.
Following her early retirement, Lori and her husband relocated to Seattle, Washington, where she found a new Pain Management Specialist. During an appointment with her new doctor she happened to notice a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) poster prompting her to research the drug-free therapy. Lori attended an informational seminar where she met a Boston Scientific representative and, after much thought, decided to move forward with a SCS trial implant. After reducing her pain by more than 80 percent, Lori decided to get the permanent implant and she hasn’t looked back since.
Thanks to her Precision Spectra™ Spinal Cord Stimulator System, Lori is back to her active lifestyle. She goes to the gym five days a week, gardens, volunteers, rides horses. “One of my happiest moments came a few months after having SCS. I was able to attend and fully enjoy my daughter’s wedding in Florida. My husband likes to say he got his wife back.”
Learn about SCS, including indications, safety information and warnings, at ControlYourPain.com. Consult with your physician to determine if you are a candidate for SCS therapy and what you may gain from the therapy.
