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Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulator

Posted by cynthi13 @cynthi13, Aug 31 8:46am

Hello. I am 73 years old and am having severe sciatica. I have scoliosis, with a 48 degree curvature. I have had the temporary SCS implanted and when it was removed, I realized it had given me about 50% pain relief. After removal, I am experiencing severe sciatica, which has affected my ability to walk, without the use of a cane. I am going to have the SCS permanently implanted and would like to hear from if any of you have had this implant and if so, was it successful. Thanks

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kburt911 | @kburt911 | Sep 20 7:47am
In reply to @cynthi13 "I am so sorry you are still having pain and dealing with this! I have read..." + (show)
@cynthi13

I am so sorry you are still having pain and dealing with this! I have read so many responses where the temporary SCS worked but the permanent one did not. This has made me weary about the SCS. I am seriously considering surgery because if the pain I am having. Good luck to you!

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Thank you.best to you.

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kburt911 | @kburt911 | Sep 20 7:48am
In reply to @heisenberg34 "Your rep should not be ghosting you. Call the main office and ask why this is..." + (show)
@heisenberg34

Your rep should not be ghosting you. Call the main office and ask why this is happening. No excuse for this type of thing.

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My pain doctor said he will handle it.

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1 reply
heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Sep 20 7:52am
In reply to @kburt911 "My pain doctor said he will handle it." + (show)
@kburt911

My pain doctor said he will handle it.

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Good luck. You desrve better.

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kburt911 | @kburt911 | Sep 20 7:54am
In reply to @alexis7 "I agree with Heisenberg and maybe ask for a different rep. I have an Abbott Wavewriter..." + (show)
@alexis7

I agree with Heisenberg and maybe ask for a different rep. I have an Abbott Wavewriter SCS. A rep (there are two or three for my area) contacts me within hours of my text or call, sometimes that evening but never the next day. I have had it reprogrammed a few times and I never wait more than week to be seen for that. Go up the ladder, area rep, district rep, regional rep - whatever and contact someone at Abbott customer support because what you're experiencing is totally unacceptable. Does your doctor know how you're being ignored? They should be contacting the rep too. I am so sorry you're dealing with this and hope you get the help you deserve.

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My pain doctor is going to take care of it. Question for you. When you first got your stimulator did it start working? When you get reprogrammed do you get more relief? I am still on the same program from the time it was implanted over 2 months ago with no relief.

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alexis7 | @alexis7 | Sep 20 11:06am

I'm glad your doctor is getting on it. Abbott wants to keep doctors happy so they buy from them.

It's been awhile but I think I met with the rep for reprogramming within a month of the implant. I still had some anesthesia on board (in my system) when they programmed it in recovery so I was probably not the ideal historian for pain level, too sleepy.

I hope you get it programmed soon and it helps you.

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alexis7 | @alexis7 | Sep 21 5:20am
In reply to @cynthi13 "How does your Abbott Wavewriter SCS work for you? Does it eliminate your pain.?" + (show)
@cynthi13

How does your Abbott Wavewriter SCS work for you? Does it eliminate your pain.?

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The goal for the SCS is to eliminate the pain by least 50%, not 100%. I don't know if anything will eliminate it completely.

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1 reply
kburt911 | @kburt911 | Sep 21 6:44am
In reply to @alexis7 "The goal for the SCS is to eliminate the pain by least 50%, not 100%. I..." + (show)
@alexis7

The goal for the SCS is to eliminate the pain by least 50%, not 100%. I don't know if anything will eliminate it completely.

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50% is exactly what they told me however I have had no relief as yet. The Dr must have gotten a hold of someone because a different rep messaged me yesterday. Hopefully we can get something going here.

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susanjc8 | @susanjc8 | Sep 21 7:15am

I have an Abbott, not a Medtronix , but I was doubting my SCS for awhile, also. It didn't seem to be doing as much as the temporary test one had. I waited a few months, then called my Rep. I have three I can call, and they are very quick to respond, fortunately. I met with one the next day and they reset my SCS , and it now works much better. I feel that I am getting at least 50% or more relief now. I think it just takes awhile to get everything set to work maxiximally, but you also MUST advocate for yourself! Keep after your Rep until you are getting some re!ief.

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