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Learning about spinal cord stimulator and any information.

Posted by dpdkt @dpdkt, Jun 20 7:12pm

I have been having lots of back and leg pain and wanting to find out any information you have with a spinal cord stimulator.

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dpdkt | @dpdkt | Jun 22 6:13pm
In reply to @vikkitennis "I have an Abbott spinal cord stimulator, placed in February 2023. it was the newest device,..." + (show)
@vikkitennis

I have an Abbott spinal cord stimulator, placed in February 2023. it was the newest device, non-rechargeable. The disadvantage for me it was too large on my small frame (5'7", 120 lbs) and protruded out. I had it replaced with an Eterna, and it is good! Do the trial first, it is five days, with a battery placed outside your spine. No Showering until it is removed. The trial was successful, and I then made plans to have the SCS surgically implanted. I interviewed three doctors: two neurosurgeons (one from Mayo in Phoenix) and one orthopedic doctor. I chose the neurosurgeon who has performed 100"s of them, and was off-the-record recommended by the Abbott rep. Ask for the paddles, and not the lead wires, it is a better process for the pain to transmit to the brain, to alleviate the pain. The recovery is not easy, 6 weeks, and I am extremely active with racquet sports and other endeavors. I will say, it is doing its job. I don't have the pain in the morning as I did before. I had a spinal fusion L4-S1 ten years ago, and it didn't work out. There are five SCS companies, and I chose the one the pain management doctor told me about. Some could be aggressive when relieving pain. if it is your hip, then you escaped that type of surgery.

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So glad to hear you have had a successful implant.
My pain is my back and right leg. I have been through all the preliminaries that is needed before the procedure.Trying to decide if Boston Scientific or Nevro HFX is the best one for me. Would appreciate if you have heard anything about either one of these stimulators. Thanks

REPLY
sweaver61 | @sweaver61 | Jun 23 1:08pm
In reply to @vikkitennis "I have an Abbott spinal cord stimulator, placed in February 2023. it was the newest device,..." + (show)
@vikkitennis

I have an Abbott spinal cord stimulator, placed in February 2023. it was the newest device, non-rechargeable. The disadvantage for me it was too large on my small frame (5'7", 120 lbs) and protruded out. I had it replaced with an Eterna, and it is good! Do the trial first, it is five days, with a battery placed outside your spine. No Showering until it is removed. The trial was successful, and I then made plans to have the SCS surgically implanted. I interviewed three doctors: two neurosurgeons (one from Mayo in Phoenix) and one orthopedic doctor. I chose the neurosurgeon who has performed 100"s of them, and was off-the-record recommended by the Abbott rep. Ask for the paddles, and not the lead wires, it is a better process for the pain to transmit to the brain, to alleviate the pain. The recovery is not easy, 6 weeks, and I am extremely active with racquet sports and other endeavors. I will say, it is doing its job. I don't have the pain in the morning as I did before. I had a spinal fusion L4-S1 ten years ago, and it didn't work out. There are five SCS companies, and I chose the one the pain management doctor told me about. Some could be aggressive when relieving pain. if it is your hip, then you escaped that type of surgery.

Jump to this post

Hello, I had MILF L4-L5 in 2019. After numerous epidurals and blocks plus PT the pain continues. I’m Oct 22 I had Abbott neurostimulator put in by pain mgmt doctor. I can tell it’s working when I shut it off the pain intensifies. I still have had to have RFA and epidurals above and below fusion. My legs are unstable from pain and several falls have resulted more pain.

I have pain on battery placement. When getting epidural doc. Scanned the placement and it’s sitting between rib and hip bone. So it’s causing nerve pain too. He said he would never recommend taking it out because it’s working however we could move it over a little bit.

REPLY
vikkitennis | @vikkitennis | Jun 23 1:53pm

I also had the Abbott Burst, the newest device, implanted February 2023, however, it was too large on my 5'7" 120 lb frame. it created sciatica and I asked for it to be removed. After consulting with the doctor, we decided to have a smaller unit installed, chargeable, but that is how it goes. It has been performing well, and you are correct about if it was removed, and where you would be at with the pain level. That is what my pain management doctor has said as well. We don't realize the work the SCS is doing until if and when it is removed. I forgot to turn it back on after our trip to San Francisco. It has been off for almost two weeks...! I didn't notice anything, however, I had something "slip" in the spine two years ago when playing tennis. I am not sure if it will happen again, but at this time, it will stay.

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