May I ask how you were able to keep your nerves in check while in the MRI machine for 45 minutes? I had an MRI for the spine in 2023 and due to the Abbott SCS, the tube is more narrow, more deliberate, became uncomfortable and hot. I stopped the test after 25 minutes. I will not repeat an MRI while the SCS is present, as the experience was not a good one. I have had plenty in the past, but will not schedule one unless I am under an anesthetic.

I just had a paddle lead proclaim Abbott’s spinal cord stimulator placed. In the 3 weeks that it has been in I have had 95% pain relief at the L4/L5 level. It turned itself off one time during the night and I woke up at 4 AM with 7/10 pain, which was the level of pain I had before the surgery. I grabbed my I phone, got it turned back on and within about 15 minutes I was back to zero out of 10 pain. It is still early but so far great! I have questions still for the rep but can wait until the post op visit . I hope that I don’t have the problem that some have written about not being able to get in touch with the rep months later. I’m sorry you are having trouble getting MRIs. I have had 4 back surgeries too and had trouble finding a neurosurgeon willing to put the spinal cord stimulator in. I’m 72 yrs old and on Medicare advantage plan and had to find a neurosurgeon in network. When I had trouble finding my rep before the surgery (I didn’t know his name), I called the local Southern California Abbott office and they put out a blanket email to all their reps and mine called back!). Good luck to you- maybe you could do the same and request a new rep!