Real Relief from Chronic Pain: Darlene’s Story of Hope and Healing with Spinal Cord Stimulation
At The Washington Pain Center, we know that every patient’s pain journey is unique—and so is their path to recovery. In a powerful recent interview, Dr. John Dombrowski spoke with his longtime patient, Darlene, who bravely shared her experience with chronic pain and the life-changing relief she found through spinal cord stimulation.
A Complex Condition and Years of Pain
Darlene has lived with Dercum’s Disease, a rare condition that causes painful lipomas (fatty tissue tumors) to develop throughout the body. Coupled with injuries from a rear-end car accident, she suffered from debilitating daily pain for years.
Despite trying a full range of medications—including strong narcotics like Oxycodone—relief was temporary or came with difficult side effects.
That changed when she turned to spinal cord stimulation.
What Is Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Often described as a "pacemaker for pain," spinal cord stimulation involves a small implantable device that delivers mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord, blocking pain signals before they reach the brain.
What makes it even more remarkable is that the stimulation can be adjusted by the patient—right from their smartphone.
“I can hike, bike, swim, sit through a movie, and do normal things like housework again,” Darlene shared. “It’s completely changed my life.”
A Smart, Customizable Solution
Darlene showed how easy it is to manage the device through a handheld controller or app. She can:
Turn up or down the stimulation as needed
Choose between “silent” or “tingling” modes
Use airplane or MRI-safe modes
Go through airport security with no issues
She emphasizes that most days, she doesn’t even feel the device working—but it is.
The Trial Process: A Step Toward Empowerment
The treatment begins with a trial phase, where the device is worn externally for about a week. For Darlene, this step was crucial in gaining trust in the therapy.
“At first, I was nervous to step away from pain meds. But the trial helped me believe this could work. And it did.”
Final Thoughts from Darlene
“This isn’t just treatment—it’s a new lease on life. If you’re considering it, don’t wait. It’s a game-changer.”
If you're dealing with chronic pain and want to explore non-opioid options that can truly restore your quality of life, spinal cord stimulation may be worth considering.
President and CEO: Washington Pain Center
Diplomate American Board of Pain Medicine, Anesthesiology and Addiction Medicine
📍 Visit us at dcpaindoc.com
📞 Call (202) 362-4787 to schedule a consultation