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How to get an objective expert opinion on spine stimulators?

Posted by samcphie @samcphie, Feb 18, 2022

I had a Boston Scientific stimulator for fifteen years. I gave me about 70% reduction in back pain (sacral). Terrific! Unfortunately, it broke and had to be replaced. My pain doctor (anethesiologist) put a new Medtronic stimulator in. He put the leads in the same place as the Boston Scientific. The tingling felt very different and the there was no reduction in pain. The Medtronic rep adjusted the unit but it still had no effect. My pain med doctor just removed the stimulator. Q: Has anyone had a similar experience, namely; good success with one, followed by no success with a replacement? I thought all stimulators were the same and that the Medtronic would be the same as the Boston Scientific (or Abbott or any other for that matter). Q2: Is there anyone I can talk to who is an objective expert in SCS? I am finding that everyone I ask is either defending or selling a brand. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

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julkun | @julkun | Apr 3 10:08am
In reply to @sbtheplumber1 "I hear that, after last year and the start of this year they’re not liking m...." + (show)
@sbtheplumber1

I hear that, after last year and the start of this year they’re not liking m. I meet my $4500 out of pocket last year by March and had $100k back surgery in April plus 4-6 appointments between doctors and therapy a week for several months. I don’t know how many MRI’s and CT’s I had last year.

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Hey forget the money. Hope you get well!!!

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rmshackelton | @rmshackelton | Apr 7 1:54pm

I suffer from CRPS and personally know many who have had them and after some time they ALL have had them removed. The fat pack in the side of your body where the machine goes and the wires that stimulate your body comes from is painful for lots of patients I know + the device just stops working after a short time. Sorry to tell you but I will never have it put in me no matter how much pain I am in.

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1 reply
dianecostella | @dianecostella | Apr 8 5:39am
In reply to @rmshackelton "I suffer from CRPS and personally know many who have had them and after some time..." + (show)
@rmshackelton

I suffer from CRPS and personally know many who have had them and after some time they ALL have had them removed. The fat pack in the side of your body where the machine goes and the wires that stimulate your body comes from is painful for lots of patients I know + the device just stops working after a short time. Sorry to tell you but I will never have it put in me no matter how much pain I am in.

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I agree. It was suggested for me and there is no chance I will have it done.

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julkun | @julkun | Apr 9 9:03am
In reply to @sbrown293 "My husband had the trial to determine if the device would give relief. He did hav..." + (show)
@sbrown293

My husband had the trial to determine if the device would give relief. He did hav relief and had the NEVRO spine stimulator implanted. Personnel from NEVRO called him the morning after placement checking on pain level. For two weeks they kept in touch, making adjustments as necessary. He was very pleased. Sadly, he passed from a heat stroke two years after having the device implanted.

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So sorry about your husband passing and thank you for sharing his experience in order to help others. You are a very kind person.

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julkun | @julkun | Apr 9 9:08am

Thanks for your response. I don't have back pain, only legs and feet. Wishing you good health.

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barbbielor | @barbbielor | Apr 9 10:56am

I have had 2bBoston Scientific SCS implanted, one in 2012 and the other in 2018. Both were done by the same neurosurgeon. The first was great. The second he did not do as good a job. My position with the second determines effectiveness of stim. I can set it at one number and it feels good until I change position. I recently had another neurosurgeon look at my case. He wants to remove the 2
implanted and then put in my third one. I have to get cardiac clearance first. No date has been set. I believe in the product but correct placement is vital.

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jthomas458 | @jthomas458 | Apr 10 9:28pm

It has been my impression that spine surgeons who do not perform SCS implants operations do not have a high opinion of the devices. It’s my impression they have to remove a lot of them for people who have decided get rid of them for a wide variety of reasons. Maybe these surgeons are bias because they don’t talk to a lot of people who are happy with their SCS devices.

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1 reply
doglady84 | @doglady84 | Apr 10 11:36pm
In reply to @julkun "I have peripheral neuropathy in my feet plus now I have painful sciatica that effects one..." + (show)
@julkun

I have peripheral neuropathy in my feet plus now I have painful sciatica that effects one leg. They thought it was piriformis syndrome, had piriformis release surgery and I still have the pain. Finding out if my back is causing sciatic pain. In any case, can the stimulator work for both? Any opinions?

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I have neuropathy in my legs and feet as well. I find Lyrica works well for it. I have degenerative scoliosis and get radio frequency ablation. The sciatica and right leg pain turned out to be the Si joint, not piriformis! I am 85.

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2 replies
larry68 | @larry68 | Apr 11 8:16am
In reply to @jthomas458 "It has been my impression that spine surgeons who do not perform SCS implants operations do..." + (show)
@jthomas458

It has been my impression that spine surgeons who do not perform SCS implants operations do not have a high opinion of the devices. It’s my impression they have to remove a lot of them for people who have decided get rid of them for a wide variety of reasons. Maybe these surgeons are bias because they don’t talk to a lot of people who are happy with their SCS devices.

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I have been getting radio frequency ablation for several years now.Last year Dr. mentioned that i might want to get the SCS implant so this year i told him i was ready to do it and he changed his mind and said no to doing it.

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larry68 | @larry68 | Apr 11 8:20am

My Pain Management Dr. says you gotta pick the one that has been supplying them for the longest or they will go belly up and there goes your support.

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