Hello,
I, too, am in the process of getting a spinal cord stimulator for intractable back pain. I'm fused from L2 to L5. Pain seems to come mostly from L5-S1 and from the R S-I joint. I was scheduled for the test of the spinal cord stimulator the first Friday in April, but I had a UTI and postponed. Since them, there have not been enough of us to go ahead with the procedure; they like to have several before setting aside a day to do the procedure. I live in a town of just over 100,000 in central OR, but larger centers are about 3 1/2 hours away. I, too, would like to hear from others who have had a spinal cord stimulator implanted.

@joanland and @bootmaker - I have not had a spinal cord stimulator installed. But I'm responding with my ideas on having a solid strategy in place to get to the root cause of your symptoms.

(1) Get diagnosed using the latest/best equipment there is. There can be differences in the quality of MRI films and such. (2) Always seek a second opinion. (3) Identify the best medical facility for your medical issues. Don't be put off by remoteness or the requirement to travel a distance to get to the facility. The time investment required to travel can be well worth it! (4) Work to identify the best doc at that facility. (Sometimes, that's hard to do for a layman using the internet. You can increase your chances of working with a first-rate neurosurgeon if you are working with a top-notch medical facility.)

Good luck!

I had a spinal cord stimulator (Medtronics) implanted back in 2018. This was after a fusion of L5-S1 in 2017 (which did not improve my pain). I had some relief with meds but not great. The SCS was recommended by a neurosurgeon in nearby city. I had the trial (which ws done in pain specialist's office as an outpatient) which lasted about 4 days. It did help quite a bit (70-80%), so I went ahead with the permanent implant. It did not provide as much relief as the trial (50%), but helped to control the pain. Then, in 2021, it just stopped working. The was some thought that the paddle may have moved. Anyway, I just had it removed. Can finally go for an NRI to see what is going on with my back. Implanted pain pump is not providing any relief.

Good Morning,

After a spinal fusion from L5-S1 in 2015, I had a disc slippage in 2022. I was consulted about a spinal cord stimulator from the pain management doctor I see to thereafter. Previously, I had the epidurals, PT's, yet not wanting to be medicated with pain relievers, as I am extremely active as a 67 year old then. I learned about a SCS from a seminar in 2019, but wasn't ready. As the previous posts recommended, I consulted with three neurosurgeons, one from Mayo in Phoenix, AZ. The pain management doctor recommended Abbott SCS, and I had the trial in December 2022, which was satisfactory, and gave me the green light to proceed and continue with the decision to have one implanted. I chose a surgeon in Phoenix, who has done hundreds of these, and he was quite professional, and pleasant. The device used was the latest model, a Burst, I believe, yet with my slim body frame, it protruded out, yet I felt if it did the work, I can live with it. It created sciatica pain, and five months later was removed with a smaller unit, one that is chargeable, an Eterna. I charge it about six times a year, no big deal. It is working, doing its' job, and I am pleased with it. It is also MRI compatible, and I turn it to surgical mode when needed, and that means through airport security, although you can receive a pat-down. If you strongly consider a SCS, there are many companies that have them, my pain management recommended Abbott. Have the paddles implanted and not the lead wires. The paddles prove to be a longer recovery-rehab, but the results are better to flush the pain to the brain. The lead wires are not as successful, is what I heard. I can't recommend enough to receive three opinions. One was a orthopedist. I didn't care for his demeanor, in fact, when I decided to go through with the neurosurgeon, the office from the orthopedist called me and asked me why I didn't choose him (?) Wow, I understand it is a money thing, as the procedure was well over 150K. Medicare and my supplement covered it all. If you would like more information please contact me. I am not sure I can give out my personal information.

please read my posts. Try the SCS trial. The trial was successful for me, yet the device was the wrong size implanted. After expressing my concerns with the neurosurgeon he consulted with a team of doctors, and it was removed with a smaller one implanted. Give it time, work with the rep, as the first program might not work. Have the paddles implanted, not the lead wires. The success rate is higher. The rehab is 8 weeks, and I am very active, playing tennis, pickleball, hike, bike, weights and walk. At age 69, I want to stay active, and I don't nearly have the pain I did in the AM when waking up, or suffering after a long tennis match.

I can't give you any advice except that I have discovered that the doctors fail to tell you how long it takes to become relatively pain free. I had my operation for spinal stenosis well over a year ago. Yesterday, I was in pain. But that was the worst pain that I had had in three weeks. Even with minor pain, I can be miserable during the day and then after dinner, I become pain free and I could work all night if I wanted to.

My acupuncturist had a a similar operation to me. She walked out of the hospital without any problem. She gets regular treatments from a chiropractor. They trade treatments! I am starting back to have chiropractic treatments. I don't have my back twisted. I just have my neck worked on and the chiropractor works on extending my right leg. It makes a difference. I think it relieves pressure on nerves.

I am also having difficulty walking which I didn't have before either.

All I can say is don't expect overnight improvement. Take it slow. I was so determined to get off Tramadol and Gabapentin that I overdid Advil and almost had a heart attack. One doctor did call it a "mini" heart attack.

Best of luck and a lot of patience and slow determination to get back to something called near normal. Just be grateful that you are not in a wheel chair.

Thank you everyone for the information. I have a lot of information and questions to ask June 7th, when I see Tyler Dunn M.D. I am super excited about this upcoming visit. I hope I come out with getting some permanent relief in the near future.

@bootmaker Welcome to Connect. After a few surgeries, you will have scar tissue from the surgical path and that can tighten up. It takes 6 weeks to heal an incision and longer for bone to heal from the surgery. After you get past that healing and it is safe to do physical therapy, you may want to consider myofascial release therapy that can loosen up tight tissue that may be causing pain. If have done MFR for a number of years and it really helps. It made my cervical fusion easier because my neck was not as tight, and my recovery was better.

Here is our discussion where you can learn more about MFR.

Neuropathy - "Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
There is a provider search at http://mfrtherapists.com/

hello bootmaker. i'm new so I hope i'm replying in the right place regarding spinal pain. i'm 73 and have had back pain for 30 years or so. i've had a laminectomy at l4-l5 level, tried differed meds, etc. What is helping now is nerve ablation, a spnal cord stimulator, meds, some walking and swimming but not too much. have had phsical therapy. I will never be pain free but I'm learning to manage what I can and watch for new procedures. i go to a pain clinic in Florida and don't let regular docs give me pain meds. What i do take is always a step down from what would give more relief but I prefer to give myself room to edge up if i have to. Mind relaxation exercises help - every 5 minutes is heaven that wasn't there before. Just do the best you can, and keep your eyes and ears open to pain management news. i wish you a life with little to no pain!

I had a spinal fusion ten years ago at UCSF, as I lived in Northern California. it didn't give the relief I was looking for. Spondyliothesis, DDD, stenosis, and levoscoliosis, which the latter plagues me today. After the epidurals, PT sessions at various locations, neurosurgeon at Mayo, twice (two different surgeons) I decided after the disc slippage again while playing tennis, to consider a spinal cord stimulator. The pain management doctor recommended an Abbott, and the latest device. After the trial to see if it was successful for five days, of which it was, I interviewed three surgeons. I chose the surgeon the rep recommended, and I have and been pleased with him. The device was switched out for a more compatible device, as the non-chargeable unit was too large on my body frame. I walk away with three pieces of advice: have more than one neurosurgeon's referral; use the paddles and not the lead wires for more pain management effectiveness; and work with your rep after the implantation: it is not a one size fits all. I have called and worked with the rep six times to find a program that works for me. I believe for some people, they give up too early. The recovery is longer with the paddles, and not an easy recovery. I took off seven weeks from sports, but I don't suffer from morning pain when rising, or pain after a long tennis match. I am 69 years old, extremely active, and hope to engage in sports well into my 80's.