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?
I feel for you. You didn't have a bad trial; you had no trial. If they operate to remove the scar tissue, will they then put in the trial or the actual SCS. I hope they go right to the actual because you've tried so many things that failed. Next week I will have my trial. I am rooting for you to have the chance for pain relief. I know what you are going through. Best of luck, Jules!!!
I feel for you. You didn't have a bad trial; you had no trial. If they operate to remove the scar tissue, will they then put in the trial or the actual SCS. I hope they go right to the actual because you've tried so many things that failed. Next week I will have my trial. I am rooting for you to have the chance for pain relief. I know what you are going through. Best of luck, Jules!!!
Thanks for your response. I hope to hear how your trial goes. Hopefully and prayerfully, it will be successful. What day are you going and which SCS are you trialing?
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?
I am in the same situation that you are. I had to have a new stimulator placed in my lumbar which was successful. However, one of the leads had impedance in it. My PM tried his best to replace both of them but he said that there was simply too much scar tissue that had grown over them. He decided that it was best nor to remove them. My PM is the best and I did not disagree with him.
I am in the same situation that you are. I had to have a new stimulator placed in my lumbar which was successful. However, one of the leads had impedance in it. My PM tried his best to replace both of them but he said that there was simply too much scar tissue that had grown over them. He decided that it was best nor to remove them. My PM is the best and I did not disagree with him.
That blasted scar tissue! It sure threw a big wrench into my plans. Looks like the same situation for you. How bad is your pain. I am typically at a 7-8 on a daily basis. But, I am able to walk, just not long distances. Hope you can find something to help. Have you looked into a pain pump? I had a great trial, but the permanent implant has been a dud. Story of my medical journey to date. Good luck!
That blasted scar tissue! It sure threw a big wrench into my plans. Looks like the same situation for you. How bad is your pain. I am typically at a 7-8 on a daily basis. But, I am able to walk, just not long distances. Hope you can find something to help. Have you looked into a pain pump? I had a great trial, but the permanent implant has been a dud. Story of my medical journey to date. Good luck!
Fortunately, I have zero pain in my Lumbar. The only reason that they had to replace the scs s is because it got zapped when I had carpal tunnel surgery. I feel so terrible telling you that I have zero pain and I am saddened that you have such pain. Have they tried and ablations on you? I have had the them in my neck and my tailbone, and they both have given me 100% relief for six months to eighteen months. If you have not, please check with your PM about that treatment. May God bless you with better success that that which you have had. brotherchuckles80@gmail.com
Fortunately, I have zero pain in my Lumbar. The only reason that they had to replace the scs s is because it got zapped when I had carpal tunnel surgery. I feel so terrible telling you that I have zero pain and I am saddened that you have such pain. Have they tried and ablations on you? I have had the them in my neck and my tailbone, and they both have given me 100% relief for six months to eighteen months. If you have not, please check with your PM about that treatment. May God bless you with better success that that which you have had. brotherchuckles80@gmail.com
You name it, I’ve had it done…ablations, injections, meds, etc. I had the sun under decent control from 2017 to 2021 with meds and SCS. Then it all suddenly all came back in 2021. And, here I am. Glad you have zero pain.
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 😂
Please get assist from OT specialist to prevent falls! So prone to balance problems due to meds you are using. Balance practice helps. About 25 yra ago I had weird leg pain When my dog's tail flicked across back of knee my leg collapsed. 3 Orthospedists only did X ray and 1st 2 said OLD AGE SCIATICA
At 54 I did not accept. 3rd came at me with big needle to cure my Baker's cyst. I was on Mcaid so geot $ from family for scan Solid mass found on my sciatic nerve behind knee. My bipolar diagnosis was in patient history. They thought it was imagination. Rare benign tumor on that nerve removed early before it caused pain by penetrating nerve and preserved my leg.. I later developed foot neuropathy Got Nevro device that usually has worked 100%. Right now a glitch in relief Working on adjusting device. Prejudice of professionals against those with MH diagnosis is real. Especially with age and complex symptoms. Self advocacy works but difficulty finding answers. Started having carpal tunnel, confirmed by EMGs and scheduled for surgery later that month. In 3 weeks it disappeared again. When a technician did long set of tests re foot neuropathy a 2yrs later the doctor who observed foot tests advised me to see a neurosurgeon for my carpal Tunnel in left arm. Had NO CT symptoms. Three wrong solutions for real pain issues. I could have had many Rxes prescribed for these issues. Only needed briefly waiting for hip replacement 3 yrs ago. PT and non pill pain relief like Lidocaine have helped what SCS does not . Similar to Mayo Connect years of support of peers for bipolar with DBSA group helps self advocacy. Knowing workings of your own body essential. Persistence matters.
I feel for you. You didn't have a bad trial; you had no trial. If they operate to remove the scar tissue, will they then put in the trial or the actual SCS. I hope they go right to the actual because you've tried so many things that failed. Next week I will have my trial. I am rooting for you to have the chance for pain relief. I know what you are going through. Best of luck, Jules!!!
Thanks @julkun. If insurance approves the procedure, I will be getting the permanent implant. So, the odds are against me in that regard. Even if approved, there are no guarantees that the neurosurgeon will be able to remove enough scar tissue to get the lead in the sweet spot. Then, there's the question of whether the device will give me any real relief. At this point I can't sweat it. God is in control. I am completely in His hands.
Thanks for your kind words. I hope and pray that your trial is a smashing success.
You name it, I’ve had it done…ablations, injections, meds, etc. I had the sun under decent control from 2017 to 2021 with meds and SCS. Then it all suddenly all came back in 2021. And, here I am. Glad you have zero pain.
None of the procedures worked for me either. I'm not a candidate for a stimulator because of the hardware from my double fusion. I will be having a Sprint PNS implanted on the 22nd. I pray it works because the doctors told me that's my last option. Most days my pain is 8 to 10. I can't stand or walk for very long.
Thanks for your response. I hope to hear how your trial goes. Hopefully and prayerfully, it will be successful. What day are you going and which SCS are you trialing?
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I feel for you. You didn't have a bad trial; you had no trial. If they operate to remove the scar tissue, will they then put in the trial or the actual SCS. I hope they go right to the actual because you've tried so many things that failed. Next week I will have my trial. I am rooting for you to have the chance for pain relief. I know what you are going through. Best of luck, Jules!!!
Thanks for your response. I hope to hear how your trial goes. Hopefully and prayerfully, it will be successful. What day are you going and which SCS are you trialing?
I am in the same situation that you are. I had to have a new stimulator placed in my lumbar which was successful. However, one of the leads had impedance in it. My PM tried his best to replace both of them but he said that there was simply too much scar tissue that had grown over them. He decided that it was best nor to remove them. My PM is the best and I did not disagree with him.
That blasted scar tissue! It sure threw a big wrench into my plans. Looks like the same situation for you. How bad is your pain. I am typically at a 7-8 on a daily basis. But, I am able to walk, just not long distances. Hope you can find something to help. Have you looked into a pain pump? I had a great trial, but the permanent implant has been a dud. Story of my medical journey to date. Good luck!
Fortunately, I have zero pain in my Lumbar. The only reason that they had to replace the scs s is because it got zapped when I had carpal tunnel surgery. I feel so terrible telling you that I have zero pain and I am saddened that you have such pain. Have they tried and ablations on you? I have had the them in my neck and my tailbone, and they both have given me 100% relief for six months to eighteen months. If you have not, please check with your PM about that treatment. May God bless you with better success that that which you have had. brotherchuckles80@gmail.com
You name it, I’ve had it done…ablations, injections, meds, etc. I had the sun under decent control from 2017 to 2021 with meds and SCS. Then it all suddenly all came back in 2021. And, here I am. Glad you have zero pain.
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1 ReactionPlease get assist from OT specialist to prevent falls! So prone to balance problems due to meds you are using. Balance practice helps. About 25 yra ago I had weird leg pain When my dog's tail flicked across back of knee my leg collapsed. 3 Orthospedists only did X ray and 1st 2 said OLD AGE SCIATICA
At 54 I did not accept. 3rd came at me with big needle to cure my Baker's cyst. I was on Mcaid so geot $ from family for scan Solid mass found on my sciatic nerve behind knee. My bipolar diagnosis was in patient history. They thought it was imagination. Rare benign tumor on that nerve removed early before it caused pain by penetrating nerve and preserved my leg.. I later developed foot neuropathy Got Nevro device that usually has worked 100%. Right now a glitch in relief Working on adjusting device. Prejudice of professionals against those with MH diagnosis is real. Especially with age and complex symptoms. Self advocacy works but difficulty finding answers. Started having carpal tunnel, confirmed by EMGs and scheduled for surgery later that month. In 3 weeks it disappeared again. When a technician did long set of tests re foot neuropathy a 2yrs later the doctor who observed foot tests advised me to see a neurosurgeon for my carpal Tunnel in left arm. Had NO CT symptoms. Three wrong solutions for real pain issues. I could have had many Rxes prescribed for these issues. Only needed briefly waiting for hip replacement 3 yrs ago. PT and non pill pain relief like Lidocaine have helped what SCS does not . Similar to Mayo Connect years of support of peers for bipolar with DBSA group helps self advocacy. Knowing workings of your own body essential. Persistence matters.
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1 ReactionThanks @julkun. If insurance approves the procedure, I will be getting the permanent implant. So, the odds are against me in that regard. Even if approved, there are no guarantees that the neurosurgeon will be able to remove enough scar tissue to get the lead in the sweet spot. Then, there's the question of whether the device will give me any real relief. At this point I can't sweat it. God is in control. I am completely in His hands.
Thanks for your kind words. I hope and pray that your trial is a smashing success.
None of the procedures worked for me either. I'm not a candidate for a stimulator because of the hardware from my double fusion. I will be having a Sprint PNS implanted on the 22nd. I pray it works because the doctors told me that's my last option. Most days my pain is 8 to 10. I can't stand or walk for very long.
Please PM me your phone number. My procedure is Wednesday. I'd like to talk with you before and after the procedure. Thanks for your support, Jules