You could likely have the HFX battery replace this battery. It might require an adapter. But, that might make it impossible to have an MRI. You might be able to have a trial if they can get the trial leads in place. Food for thought. Good luck.
I have a Saluda (new company) device implanted Jan.'24 - have experienced no relief of chronic back pain even though trial was very successful. Can I have this device removed and another company's put in that might work? Mine was implanted at T11-12.
If you have Medicare, you need to check with them. If you have private insurance, lease check with them. If you are asking if it's possible to do that. Yes it is. God bless you, Charles aka brotherchuckles80
I have had several adjustments to focus on different areas in my back and nothing seems to work. The trial gave me 90% relief - maybe because I wanted it to work so badly? My pain varies between 7-10. Tylenol sometimes gives some relief. Low dose oxycodone just made me dizzy.
I wonder if taking this one out and trying a different one in would make sense?
I had a Nevro, then a Boston Scientific spinal stimulator for six years. Neither one helped with my back pain. I had the Boston Scientific removed in 2022.
Personally I didnt have any success with euther spinal stimulators. I hope your outcome is much better.
I have a Nevro and was also taking Cymbalta and Lyrica. I was still having a lot of pain so to test what was happening I turned off the stimulator and quit the meds. Then I started adding them back one by one after a time. First added the Nevro back and it definitely made a noticeable difference. Then I added back each med. Roughly estimated, I believe each one reduced my pain about 1/3. My pain is complex and in many different places so I have to redirect the Nevro from time to time. Nothing is perfect but it does its part in pain reduction for me.
I had a medtronics scs implanted in 2018 after a successful trial. The permanent implant was not as effective as the trial, but it did help relieve my lower back pain. That was along with my prescribed meds. Always had a little pain, but it allowed me to become more active again. Then, in 2021, it just stopped working. A smooth-talking rep from NEVRO convinced me to have the Medtronics scs battery replaced with one of theirs, keeping the original paddle. They were not able to do the trial due to the positioning of the original paddle. The rep assured me that their unit would make everything good again.
So, I went ahead with the implant. It involved adding an adapter to the original lead going to the paddle in order to connect the new battery. The NEVRO unit has never worked. And, the adapter makes it impossible to have an MRI. So, my new pain med doc can't see what's going on in my back that's causing all the pain to return,
I am scheduled to have the SCS removed in April, If all goes well, I should be able to have an MRI. BTW, I also had a pain pump implanted last year. After many adjustments, it has provided minimal pain relief. My advice:
1. Make sure you do the trial (and, the permanent implant may not give you the same relief as the trial.
2. If you get the Medtronics unit, it has a setting that allows for an MRI. But, if for any reason you decide to switch to another unit, do not mix and match parts like I did. Have them remove all original components.
Good luck. Hope you can make an informed decision.
I got the Boston scientific wave writer Alpha implanted back in 2022. After a successful trial, I found out that the battery shifted during a fall up against the rods and screws in my back, causing even more interference, especially near my husband who has diabetic and CGM. So they moved my battery away from the rod and screws out near me. I started losing weight causing it to shift bringing it closer to the skin. In doing so after a few falls, it started reacting up really bad. I felt electrical shock even my therapy was turned off. I’ve gone in for several reprogramming. I’ve had CAT scans MRIs and too many x-rays. I’ve never been able to get off of my narcotics. I was just able to lower my therapy for a while until I had another fall after a seizure. Looking at the programming, the rep assured me that nothing was wrong and that there was , everything on the programming that showed I wasn’t having any electrical shocks that they could detect. What I have felt in my own body and I can tell you with 100% truth, honesty and extreme physical responses that have brought me to my knees, I have had shocks . Since having my SCS implant, I had both knees replaced. I can’t turn my stem on for longer than 20 minutes due to the healing of the tissue around my knees still healing. It makes me feel like the back of my hamstrings all the way down to my calfs are plugged into an electric socket . Every time I have gone to have the Boston rap reprogram and evaluate my settings. They say there is nothing wrong. I know that there is but nobody will believe me. I have a long history with Pain after numerous falls car accidents patient accidents, slip, and fall on ice , hell I even have the talent of falling walking upstairs! I also take for analeptic drugs. I take an antidepressant. I’ve taken muscle relaxers along with medications that are supposed to help with
Neuropathy pain. They threw me in the category of fibromyalgia so suddenly everything gets dismissed under that diagnosis. I’ve tried literally everything from chiropractic acupuncture massage therapy, cupping, CBT, oils, and even pot. Only to be dismissed because I’m bi polar.. As if that diagnosis would explain a way the proof of scoliosis and degenerative joint/disc disease! I’ve been to every specialist under the sun with them only to put hard-core proof in the term practicing medicine. July 3 I fell and broke my wrist, landing hard enough that witnesses said I actually bounced. I’ve been to two emergency rooms one South Carolina and the other in Colorado where I live. I’ve seen three different orthopedics. Am I pain management doctor twice along with my PCP. Yet in all of this time I can’t get anybody to x-ray let alone or MRI anything but my wrist. The pain in my wrist is so bad that it radiates I’ve been to my neck . But the worst part is I’ve told all of these doctors that I am getting daily shocks from my SCS that has been turned off since the middle of May. But in doing the report, it shows no damage to the leads so I am just dismissed. If I had it to do over again , I would have never had this placed! Because even having MRI controls so that I’m supposed to be able to get the scan facilities have turned me away saying that my device is not compatible. All I wanted was to be able to severely decrease my narcotics, if not , totally being able to stop taking them. At my last pain management appointment my doctor said that I needed to be realistic due to my health conditions. I was never going to be able to stop my narcotics and the other medicines that are supposed to help relieve my pain . But due to the opioid crisis that our country faces I get looked down on at the pharmacy for coming in at every month to receive the quantity and strength of my narcotics. Since 2015 when the CDC changed the rules I haven’t been allowed to take clonazepam or Xanax due to doctors not wanting to take on that risk. My anxiety has gotten so bad that I don’t know what to do.. My heart felt prayer go out to you. I hope that my comment gives you some clarity and perspective. Do not beat up on yourself for the Cards. You have been dealt! Some people would say that you got lucky enough to fall for the snake oil scam.. my advice is learn how to breathe so you can play the recorder and charm them back into the basket 😂
I got the Boston scientific wave writer Alpha implanted back in 2022. After a successful trial, I found out that the battery shifted during a fall up against the rods and screws in my back, causing even more interference, especially near my husband who has diabetic and CGM. So they moved my battery away from the rod and screws out near me. I started losing weight causing it to shift bringing it closer to the skin. In doing so after a few falls, it started reacting up really bad. I felt electrical shock even my therapy was turned off. I’ve gone in for several reprogramming. I’ve had CAT scans MRIs and too many x-rays. I’ve never been able to get off of my narcotics. I was just able to lower my therapy for a while until I had another fall after a seizure. Looking at the programming, the rep assured me that nothing was wrong and that there was , everything on the programming that showed I wasn’t having any electrical shocks that they could detect. What I have felt in my own body and I can tell you with 100% truth, honesty and extreme physical responses that have brought me to my knees, I have had shocks . Since having my SCS implant, I had both knees replaced. I can’t turn my stem on for longer than 20 minutes due to the healing of the tissue around my knees still healing. It makes me feel like the back of my hamstrings all the way down to my calfs are plugged into an electric socket . Every time I have gone to have the Boston rap reprogram and evaluate my settings. They say there is nothing wrong. I know that there is but nobody will believe me. I have a long history with Pain after numerous falls car accidents patient accidents, slip, and fall on ice , hell I even have the talent of falling walking upstairs! I also take for analeptic drugs. I take an antidepressant. I’ve taken muscle relaxers along with medications that are supposed to help with
Neuropathy pain. They threw me in the category of fibromyalgia so suddenly everything gets dismissed under that diagnosis. I’ve tried literally everything from chiropractic acupuncture massage therapy, cupping, CBT, oils, and even pot. Only to be dismissed because I’m bi polar.. As if that diagnosis would explain a way the proof of scoliosis and degenerative joint/disc disease! I’ve been to every specialist under the sun with them only to put hard-core proof in the term practicing medicine. July 3 I fell and broke my wrist, landing hard enough that witnesses said I actually bounced. I’ve been to two emergency rooms one South Carolina and the other in Colorado where I live. I’ve seen three different orthopedics. Am I pain management doctor twice along with my PCP. Yet in all of this time I can’t get anybody to x-ray let alone or MRI anything but my wrist. The pain in my wrist is so bad that it radiates I’ve been to my neck . But the worst part is I’ve told all of these doctors that I am getting daily shocks from my SCS that has been turned off since the middle of May. But in doing the report, it shows no damage to the leads so I am just dismissed. If I had it to do over again , I would have never had this placed! Because even having MRI controls so that I’m supposed to be able to get the scan facilities have turned me away saying that my device is not compatible. All I wanted was to be able to severely decrease my narcotics, if not , totally being able to stop taking them. At my last pain management appointment my doctor said that I needed to be realistic due to my health conditions. I was never going to be able to stop my narcotics and the other medicines that are supposed to help relieve my pain . But due to the opioid crisis that our country faces I get looked down on at the pharmacy for coming in at every month to receive the quantity and strength of my narcotics. Since 2015 when the CDC changed the rules I haven’t been allowed to take clonazepam or Xanax due to doctors not wanting to take on that risk. My anxiety has gotten so bad that I don’t know what to do.. My heart felt prayer go out to you. I hope that my comment gives you some clarity and perspective. Do not beat up on yourself for the Cards. You have been dealt! Some people would say that you got lucky enough to fall for the snake oil scam.. my advice is learn how to breathe so you can play the recorder and charm them back into the basket 😂
Holy cow! If it wasn't for bad luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all. Very sorry to hear of your plight. I don't even know what to tell you, except that I will pray for you right now, @18943. May the Lord, God bring peace and less pain to you.
I got the Boston scientific wave writer Alpha implanted back in 2022. After a successful trial, I found out that the battery shifted during a fall up against the rods and screws in my back, causing even more interference, especially near my husband who has diabetic and CGM. So they moved my battery away from the rod and screws out near me. I started losing weight causing it to shift bringing it closer to the skin. In doing so after a few falls, it started reacting up really bad. I felt electrical shock even my therapy was turned off. I’ve gone in for several reprogramming. I’ve had CAT scans MRIs and too many x-rays. I’ve never been able to get off of my narcotics. I was just able to lower my therapy for a while until I had another fall after a seizure. Looking at the programming, the rep assured me that nothing was wrong and that there was , everything on the programming that showed I wasn’t having any electrical shocks that they could detect. What I have felt in my own body and I can tell you with 100% truth, honesty and extreme physical responses that have brought me to my knees, I have had shocks . Since having my SCS implant, I had both knees replaced. I can’t turn my stem on for longer than 20 minutes due to the healing of the tissue around my knees still healing. It makes me feel like the back of my hamstrings all the way down to my calfs are plugged into an electric socket . Every time I have gone to have the Boston rap reprogram and evaluate my settings. They say there is nothing wrong. I know that there is but nobody will believe me. I have a long history with Pain after numerous falls car accidents patient accidents, slip, and fall on ice , hell I even have the talent of falling walking upstairs! I also take for analeptic drugs. I take an antidepressant. I’ve taken muscle relaxers along with medications that are supposed to help with
Neuropathy pain. They threw me in the category of fibromyalgia so suddenly everything gets dismissed under that diagnosis. I’ve tried literally everything from chiropractic acupuncture massage therapy, cupping, CBT, oils, and even pot. Only to be dismissed because I’m bi polar.. As if that diagnosis would explain a way the proof of scoliosis and degenerative joint/disc disease! I’ve been to every specialist under the sun with them only to put hard-core proof in the term practicing medicine. July 3 I fell and broke my wrist, landing hard enough that witnesses said I actually bounced. I’ve been to two emergency rooms one South Carolina and the other in Colorado where I live. I’ve seen three different orthopedics. Am I pain management doctor twice along with my PCP. Yet in all of this time I can’t get anybody to x-ray let alone or MRI anything but my wrist. The pain in my wrist is so bad that it radiates I’ve been to my neck . But the worst part is I’ve told all of these doctors that I am getting daily shocks from my SCS that has been turned off since the middle of May. But in doing the report, it shows no damage to the leads so I am just dismissed. If I had it to do over again , I would have never had this placed! Because even having MRI controls so that I’m supposed to be able to get the scan facilities have turned me away saying that my device is not compatible. All I wanted was to be able to severely decrease my narcotics, if not , totally being able to stop taking them. At my last pain management appointment my doctor said that I needed to be realistic due to my health conditions. I was never going to be able to stop my narcotics and the other medicines that are supposed to help relieve my pain . But due to the opioid crisis that our country faces I get looked down on at the pharmacy for coming in at every month to receive the quantity and strength of my narcotics. Since 2015 when the CDC changed the rules I haven’t been allowed to take clonazepam or Xanax due to doctors not wanting to take on that risk. My anxiety has gotten so bad that I don’t know what to do.. My heart felt prayer go out to you. I hope that my comment gives you some clarity and perspective. Do not beat up on yourself for the Cards. You have been dealt! Some people would say that you got lucky enough to fall for the snake oil scam.. my advice is learn how to breathe so you can play the recorder and charm them back into the basket 😂
Thank you so very much for your information. I've heard more bad than good about these stimulators. That is what my pain management doctor has talked to me a little about. Have you ever had the Stellate ganglion block?
You always hear more negative than positive. Because the people who have had positive results and I'm generalizing tend not to report it. I have had my Abbott Laboratories spinal cord stimulator now going on 3 years and I fortunately have received 100% positive results in pain relief in the lumbar area. So there is a positive out of many who do not report their positive results. God bless you and your decision making. And I always say do your research research research research then make an informative decision. Brother Chuckles 80
I find all the comments regarding spinal cord stimulators very interesting. I tried to have a trial of Boston Scientific's Waverider a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the leads could not be placed in the "sweet spot"due to scar tissue from previous surgery. Ultimately, the doc could only place one lead in. Even then, it was not in a very good area. I was not able to get really good relief over the next six days, even after several reprogrammings. I met with the neurosurgeon to see about getting the pemanent implant despite the less than stellar trial. Along with the rep, I expalined the situation with difficulty of lead placement. I asked if he could remove some of the scar tissue and get the lead in the sweet spot. He hemmed and hawed for a while before saying that he could probably do the surgery, but no guarantees. I told him I had no options left. Many meds, surgeries, pain pump have all failed to help. Now, it is up to the insurance company to approve the procedure. I am not hopeful.
Has anyone out in commenters land experienced a similar situation? Bad trial but good permanent implant?
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You could likely have the HFX battery replace this battery. It might require an adapter. But, that might make it impossible to have an MRI. You might be able to have a trial if they can get the trial leads in place. Food for thought. Good luck.
If you have Medicare, you need to check with them. If you have private insurance, lease check with them. If you are asking if it's possible to do that. Yes it is. God bless you, Charles aka brotherchuckles80
What does your pain management specialist say??????????
I had a Nevro, then a Boston Scientific spinal stimulator for six years. Neither one helped with my back pain. I had the Boston Scientific removed in 2022.
Personally I didnt have any success with euther spinal stimulators. I hope your outcome is much better.
I have a Nevro and was also taking Cymbalta and Lyrica. I was still having a lot of pain so to test what was happening I turned off the stimulator and quit the meds. Then I started adding them back one by one after a time. First added the Nevro back and it definitely made a noticeable difference. Then I added back each med. Roughly estimated, I believe each one reduced my pain about 1/3. My pain is complex and in many different places so I have to redirect the Nevro from time to time. Nothing is perfect but it does its part in pain reduction for me.
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1 ReactionI got the Boston scientific wave writer Alpha implanted back in 2022. After a successful trial, I found out that the battery shifted during a fall up against the rods and screws in my back, causing even more interference, especially near my husband who has diabetic and CGM. So they moved my battery away from the rod and screws out near me. I started losing weight causing it to shift bringing it closer to the skin. In doing so after a few falls, it started reacting up really bad. I felt electrical shock even my therapy was turned off. I’ve gone in for several reprogramming. I’ve had CAT scans MRIs and too many x-rays. I’ve never been able to get off of my narcotics. I was just able to lower my therapy for a while until I had another fall after a seizure. Looking at the programming, the rep assured me that nothing was wrong and that there was , everything on the programming that showed I wasn’t having any electrical shocks that they could detect. What I have felt in my own body and I can tell you with 100% truth, honesty and extreme physical responses that have brought me to my knees, I have had shocks . Since having my SCS implant, I had both knees replaced. I can’t turn my stem on for longer than 20 minutes due to the healing of the tissue around my knees still healing. It makes me feel like the back of my hamstrings all the way down to my calfs are plugged into an electric socket . Every time I have gone to have the Boston rap reprogram and evaluate my settings. They say there is nothing wrong. I know that there is but nobody will believe me. I have a long history with Pain after numerous falls car accidents patient accidents, slip, and fall on ice , hell I even have the talent of falling walking upstairs! I also take for analeptic drugs. I take an antidepressant. I’ve taken muscle relaxers along with medications that are supposed to help with
Neuropathy pain. They threw me in the category of fibromyalgia so suddenly everything gets dismissed under that diagnosis. I’ve tried literally everything from chiropractic acupuncture massage therapy, cupping, CBT, oils, and even pot. Only to be dismissed because I’m bi polar.. As if that diagnosis would explain a way the proof of scoliosis and degenerative joint/disc disease! I’ve been to every specialist under the sun with them only to put hard-core proof in the term practicing medicine. July 3 I fell and broke my wrist, landing hard enough that witnesses said I actually bounced. I’ve been to two emergency rooms one South Carolina and the other in Colorado where I live. I’ve seen three different orthopedics. Am I pain management doctor twice along with my PCP. Yet in all of this time I can’t get anybody to x-ray let alone or MRI anything but my wrist. The pain in my wrist is so bad that it radiates I’ve been to my neck . But the worst part is I’ve told all of these doctors that I am getting daily shocks from my SCS that has been turned off since the middle of May. But in doing the report, it shows no damage to the leads so I am just dismissed. If I had it to do over again , I would have never had this placed! Because even having MRI controls so that I’m supposed to be able to get the scan facilities have turned me away saying that my device is not compatible. All I wanted was to be able to severely decrease my narcotics, if not , totally being able to stop taking them. At my last pain management appointment my doctor said that I needed to be realistic due to my health conditions. I was never going to be able to stop my narcotics and the other medicines that are supposed to help relieve my pain . But due to the opioid crisis that our country faces I get looked down on at the pharmacy for coming in at every month to receive the quantity and strength of my narcotics. Since 2015 when the CDC changed the rules I haven’t been allowed to take clonazepam or Xanax due to doctors not wanting to take on that risk. My anxiety has gotten so bad that I don’t know what to do.. My heart felt prayer go out to you. I hope that my comment gives you some clarity and perspective. Do not beat up on yourself for the Cards. You have been dealt! Some people would say that you got lucky enough to fall for the snake oil scam.. my advice is learn how to breathe so you can play the recorder and charm them back into the basket 😂
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3 ReactionsHoly cow! If it wasn't for bad luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all. Very sorry to hear of your plight. I don't even know what to tell you, except that I will pray for you right now, @18943. May the Lord, God bring peace and less pain to you.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you so very much for your information. I've heard more bad than good about these stimulators. That is what my pain management doctor has talked to me a little about. Have you ever had the Stellate ganglion block?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYou always hear more negative than positive. Because the people who have had positive results and I'm generalizing tend not to report it. I have had my Abbott Laboratories spinal cord stimulator now going on 3 years and I fortunately have received 100% positive results in pain relief in the lumbar area. So there is a positive out of many who do not report their positive results. God bless you and your decision making. And I always say do your research research research research then make an informative decision. Brother Chuckles 80
I find all the comments regarding spinal cord stimulators very interesting. I tried to have a trial of Boston Scientific's Waverider a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the leads could not be placed in the "sweet spot"due to scar tissue from previous surgery. Ultimately, the doc could only place one lead in. Even then, it was not in a very good area. I was not able to get really good relief over the next six days, even after several reprogrammings. I met with the neurosurgeon to see about getting the pemanent implant despite the less than stellar trial. Along with the rep, I expalined the situation with difficulty of lead placement. I asked if he could remove some of the scar tissue and get the lead in the sweet spot. He hemmed and hawed for a while before saying that he could probably do the surgery, but no guarantees. I told him I had no options left. Many meds, surgeries, pain pump have all failed to help. Now, it is up to the insurance company to approve the procedure. I am not hopeful.
Has anyone out in commenters land experienced a similar situation? Bad trial but good permanent implant?