Spinal Cord Stimulator Removal

I had my stimulator and the leads removed by my pain doctor. It wasn’t a big deal. Good luck!

Hi again. I responded to your previous post over in the "Just Want to Talk" discussion, then stumbled upon your EMG update here. Nothing showed a problem there either, like the MRI. So sorry, I know you were hopeful to find something. Familiar story to me. I went through test after test, med after med, procedure after procedure too, and nothing is more frustrating than wanting to prove what exactly is causing pain, only to be continuously let down.

Having neuropathy and a chronic pain disorder called Central Sensitization Syndrome, I completely understand your plight. My quest to find the problem that could be fixed and cured, did me in physically, emotionally and behaviorally. Chemically, too, as I tried every drug looking for that magic fix. Do I sense you are feeling the heaviness of the search?

Respectfully, I totally get that checking off and ruling out cause is incredibly important and I advocate for doing such, but I want to throw this thought into the ring. What if the flares and increased pain stemmed from stress, environment, a dysfunctional central nervous system, etc...? Once, all the tests are done and the specialists are seen and the meds are tried, there is not much more to do but accept and manage what is. Ugh, that's a tough pill (no pun intended) to swallow. Been there, and resistantly done that!

I'm wondering if watching the following video may be helpful in understanding chronic pain to see if maybe you resonate with what Dr. Sletten from Mayo Clinic is educating on. Here you go -

Dr. Christopher Sletten - Central Sensitization Syndrome:

I will check out the video soon. Thank you. It is difficult for me to accept my current situation because that would be to say that being virtually incapacitated and unable to stand in one spot for more than fifteen seconds, having to spend most of my day either sitting in my recliner or lying on my bed. Six months ago I was fairly active, walking around our community with my wife. Something out of the ordinary has hit me. The search goes on… or, I might as well bring in a hospital bed and prepare for the worst.

Just watched the video. Too bad I'm not closer to Mayo Clinic. Sounds like they may have some possible answers to my recurring pain that has ramped up reently with no apparent diagnosis. Thanks for this. Greatly appreciated.

I had my Medtronic stimulator removed some years ago after my battery died, and a new one put in. Somehow I got an infection, and had to go to the ER. I did not want them to put it back in! I never had any problems with the actual removal of the stimulator.
So , good luck with your removal !

I've had a Nevro and a Boston Scientific spinal stimulator implanted for chronic lumbar back pain. Neither one helped with my pain, and actually made my back pain worse. It felt like my spine was irritated and weighted down by the stimulator. After a dozen or so attempts reprograming the stimulator, I demanded the stimulator be removed. I had the stimulator for a year before my insurance came through. I felt much better after having it removed. Never again.

I know what you mean, I have one too and it does nothing. Mine is an Abbott Stimulator and it's worthless.

I have a suggestion for those not close to a Mayo Clinic location- but interested in the Sletten or other suggestions.
Caveat: I did get referred to the Mayo program under Sletten, so it is familiar- but I am far from what they suggested would be "last resort" before going to them. I would be included in the program if I wanted to be on their list. I can safely say that I need to have the causes addressed first. My pain is mechanical and treatable (for the most part).
This is my suggestion: Look for a mindfulness bases stress reduction program (MBSR) locally. If there isn't one, then consider the book: Full Catastrophe Living, by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Don't read the book! It really takes time to go through the many intricacies of understanding! Start a group in your "neighborhood", maybe even through your doctor's office! That will bring community which will produce the many layers of understanding human pain- and joy. I am still processing the text myself and I am also a yoga instructor- this is a commitment- for which you are worthy! The mental "yoga" is a bigger part of the finding your "cure".

Thats why I never got one, too many horror stories

I understand that a spinal cord stimulator, like most treatments, is not for everyone. Many, like me, will enjoy many years of pain reduction. Please don't tell everyone to avoid this device because you had a bad experience. I am truly sorry for those who have suffered from a failed SCS. Spinal fusion is also a procedure that has a high failure rate. But, many have gotten relief. Unlike a SCS, spinal fusion is not so easily removed.