I believe you are referring to me, Vikkitennis: on a scale of 1-10, I give it an 8. Beforehand, I would rise in the morning, and have shooting pain, steming from the lower back. After recovery, I don't have that anymore. I am physically fit, playing competitive sports at age 69, and work out 3-4 hours a day, sometimes 5. I do have a nagging pain on my left lower spine, but that is due to scoliosis. The neurosurgeon referred me to a scoliosis neurosurgeon, and in three years the curvature has progressed. All I can do is stay fit and eat well: osteopenia is genetic, and I am doing the best I can on that avenue. I control my weight, and keep stress to a minimum. the SCS Eterna requires charging about every six weeks, and usually you can do so when you are reading or watching tv. I don't take the charging unit with me on trips, as I am rarely gone for less than a month. It is MRI compatible, yet it takes longer for imaging; a CT can do the job just fine. Going through airport security requires a pat-down, yet in Phoenix, they are challenged with staff, and I turn it to surgical mode beforehand. The rep programmed the controller onto my iPhone, and I can check the charge status and turn it on or off with the app. The "paddle" wires in the upper spine, sending the pain wavelength to the brain to have it stop, causes mild irritation with irritation, but after a few scratches, I am good. I had the latest Abbott model Burst I believe implanted first, February 2023, ye the unit was too large for my small frame, causing sciatica. it was removed in July 2023, and the Eterna was implanted. I forget about I have it installed.
I do encourage patients to look a their options, interview the neurosurgeons (I interviewed three: two neurosurgeons, one an orthopedist) and make your decision. The neuro I chose has done hundreds of them, and I liked his manner. Let me know if you have further questions, and good luck.