Should I have the Spinal Cord Stimulator? Looking for reviews on this

Posted by denman55 @denman55, Jun 5, 2023

I have had chronic lower back pain due to lumbar spinal stenosis for over 10-years. I have had multiple therapies and procedures done - including RFA, Epidural steroid injections, a MILD procedure, acupuncture, OT/PT and Chiropractics, as well as an Interspinous spacer and nothing has helped my pain. After all of that, the physician I saw in March's only recommendation was for me to have the Spinal cord stimulator, but I am actually afraid of this and have read that there have been numerous injuries as a result of this implant, and after reviewing the booklet and watching the video I initially felt that it was just to restrictive in terms of how you could move your body. If you have had this procedure please let me know your results. Many thanks.

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Profile picture for ginnyjm @ginnyjm

Do your research to make a smart decision for YOU! Remember, you’ll need to charge the battery every few days & have the tech re-program it several times.

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Seriously? I have a spinal cord stimulator that needs to be replaced, about once every 10 years. Charging yourself up every few days would be ridiculous. There are much better products out there than that nonsense. No reprogramming unless I need it which so far in 4 years hasn't happened.

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Profile picture for tjjordan1 @tjjordan1

Seriously? I have a spinal cord stimulator that needs to be replaced, about once every 10 years. Charging yourself up every few days would be ridiculous. There are much better products out there than that nonsense. No reprogramming unless I need it which so far in 4 years hasn't happened.

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tjjordan1, you’ve been truly blessed! Maybe it was just the brand SCS! I’m glad it’s working for you!

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Profile picture for ginnyjm @ginnyjm

tjjordan1, you’ve been truly blessed! Maybe it was just the brand SCS! I’m glad it’s working for you!

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I wished it was for you too ! Mine is a Abbott, and the battery needs replaced about once every 10 years. Maybe find another provider who gives you a up to date excellent product, rather than a very high maintenance piece of crap. There are MUCH better products out there.

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Profile picture for tjjordan1 @tjjordan1

I wished it was for you too ! Mine is a Abbott, and the battery needs replaced about once every 10 years. Maybe find another provider who gives you a up to date excellent product, rather than a very high maintenance piece of crap. There are MUCH better products out there.

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Thanks for replying, but mine just didn’t help at all in the 3 years I had it with multiple programming by the reps & an additional lead added. It’s made by Boston Scientific. I finally had it removed 2/23/24, so now I’m starting over with a new pain management Dr.

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Profile picture for bootmaker @bootmaker

Hello everyone, I have my 1st visit to the spinal pain management department on the 7th of June. I was referred for a spinal cord stimulator. The reason I am going to the Mayo Clinic, is I can not get anywhere with the Dr's here in New Mexico. I have had a double discectomy, a laminectomy, and three spinal fusions. No one knows why about two months after my last fusion, why I am in some much pain. I have trouble walking any distance now. When I was walking a mile and a half twice a day. Any feed back on spinal cord stimulators or even a different process to help with pain, would be greatly appreciated.

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Did your pain mgmt Dr to a trial, test to see if I worked ? That's the normal prodical. Was it actually implanted ?? We did a 2 week test before actually putting mine in. It helps a lot. Good luck, I hope you get the right pain mgmt place to help you !!!

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Profile picture for bootmaker @bootmaker

Hello everyone, I have my 1st visit to the spinal pain management department on the 7th of June. I was referred for a spinal cord stimulator. The reason I am going to the Mayo Clinic, is I can not get anywhere with the Dr's here in New Mexico. I have had a double discectomy, a laminectomy, and three spinal fusions. No one knows why about two months after my last fusion, why I am in some much pain. I have trouble walking any distance now. When I was walking a mile and a half twice a day. Any feed back on spinal cord stimulators or even a different process to help with pain, would be greatly appreciated.

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Could I get feedback on how long the permanent implants were successful ( 50% or better pain relief)?

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Profile picture for tjjordan1 @tjjordan1

Seriously? I have a spinal cord stimulator that needs to be replaced, about once every 10 years. Charging yourself up every few days would be ridiculous. There are much better products out there than that nonsense. No reprogramming unless I need it which so far in 4 years hasn't happened.

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Which SCS do you have? I am in the process of getting one implanted. It is a Medtronic. I am still researching to find the most effective one.

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Profile picture for cynthi13 @cynthi13

Which SCS do you have? I am in the process of getting one implanted. It is a Medtronic. I am still researching to find the most effective one.

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Mine is a Abbott, and I'm VERY happy with it !!! Make sure they do the trial 1st before implanting to make SURE, it will work. im VERY PLEASED with mine

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Profile picture for bootmaker @bootmaker

My first visit at the Mayo Clinic, Tyler Young P.A-C., M.S. referred me to Pain management, which I will see Tyler Dunn M.D. He also told me it is a process to get the implant, 3 -4 months. In the process go back to my pain and spine management in Albuquerque, NM. and demand they do a Radio Frequency Ablation. I had the injections yesterday Friday 31st, which I could not be leave the difference. I could actually walk like a normal human being. It only lasted for a few hours, it was great for those few hours. I am fused from L2-SI joints. The Dr. that did my ablation injections told me the pain I have is Sciatic pain from not being able to move any of the muscles around the spine. He is the first one to tell any that, which makes since. I will see Tyler Dun M.D. on Friday June 7th, I can not wait to see what can come out of this visit.

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Thank you for the information. I am having the Radio Frequency Ablation on both sides sensory nerves at L3-L5 on September 10. The two trials reduced my pain over 80%. I had a Lamenectomy in 2014 from L1-L4. They can't operate due my scoliosis rotates where those vertebrae are at. This RFA is my last resort after being denied at other options and treatments. My S1, L5 and L4 are fused together because of spinal stenosis. I am already fused at C2-T2, rods on both sides. My scoliosis was fixed in my Cervical by bending the rods. Fusing my Lumbar would cause my spine to rigid. My Lumbar works ok mechanically. It is the constant pain that is taking my life. I pray that this works and both of us won't have to burn the nerves for long time to never!!!

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Profile picture for germangirlvt @germangirlvt

Hi all
I just joined this group as I am waiting for an appointment schedule for a second opinion at May Phoenix. I have herniated disc l5-l1, spinal stenosis, ddd and as a result have had serious lower back pain over the last 6 years, with excrutiating sciatic pain down both legs starting about a year ago.
I see a great pain doc in Chandler AZ and he tried everything, steroid injections, blocks, nerve ablation. Nothing helped. I saw a surgeon at Barrow, and he said that while he can do a laminectomy on three of the discs, he is worried about the impact on spine stability. Now waiting for a second opinion from Mayo.
I am a 53 active female and I feel my life has been taken away from me. I am on gabapentin and duloxetine, tylenol, aleve, THC, CBD ... do reformer pilates 5 times a week ... and I still cannot walk more than 100 ft without pain.
Anyone who has looked at a three disc laminectomy vs fusion in the L5-L1 section? I have not looked into stimulators at all.
Any advice is appreciated.

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If trials for nerve ablation work and pass the trials st 80% improvement. Can I ask why the burning of the nerves did not improve your pain level? If you had a pain level below 50% improvement insurance will not pay for anymore treatments.
The simulators have a trials of 50% improvement. Pain managent deny me a trial, because of my scoliosis. Nerve ablation.is the last resort. I am having it done on September 10. I understand your pain and pray that this is the answer

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