Has anyone had an Abbott spinal cord stimulator put in there back? Has

I had one implanted in 2017. I experienced 80% pain relief during the trial, and around that much for the first year. My pain is in my feet and ankles from CIDP.

My experience after the first year was a reduction in benefit over the next few years, then fairly limited effect since then. When the Abbott tech adjusts the settings I feel a little more benefit for a couple of months. I still keep it on in the hope that it's helping. I take medications and have IVig infusions, so it can be a challenge to know how much each thing is having any effect.

Everyone has their own response to the scs, anywhere from nil to wonderful. The trial generally is a pretty good indicator of its efficacy. The trial is a relatively minor procedure, but the implant requires some recovery time to let the tissue around the leads heal and stabilize the leads. Compared to other surgeries I've had, it was probably one of the easier recoveries for me.

What is the purpose of a stimulator for you? People have them for a number of reasons.

There are discussions about stimulators in other places. I'm sure that someone will give you a link to them. I use my phone here and don't have the capability to do many things.

Jim

Hi Jim

Thank you for responding to my text. I’m sorry after the first year you’re not getting the same effect. I had a fear that might be the case for some people. The reason for me getting one after 10 spine surgeries and I’m need of another one I have a lot of pain much which is from scare tissue. I just hurt 24/7. I wear a fentanyl patch and take Percocet for break through pain but it’s like you it does not do the trick. I still really hurt. What kind of infusions do you do and how often? Do they help? I’m open to almost anything at this point. I am going on 25 years of dealing with chronic pain you know as well as I do it gets old.
Thank you again for your response.

I suspect that the distance from the stimulator to my feet has something to do with the problem. If it were implanted in my thigh, it might help more.

My surmise would be that it would help with back pain better than with the extremities. I can surely understand that you don't want more back surgery.

I have IV infusions 2 consecutive days a month of immunoglobulin. I'm getting Privigen right now but I'm going to discuss with my neurologist the possibility of a different medication that might have some kind of noticable effect. It's more than $5,000.00 for each infusion, which Medicare covers, thankfully, or it wouldn't be an option.

Maybe I should ask about a Fentanyl patch at my appointment with the pain specialist at the end of this month. It's something I haven't tried yet.

Jim

Hi Jim

I asked about the infusions thinking you might be getting ketamine I’ve heard that has helped people if you can handle the side effects. The Fentanyl patches are a continuous release of medication they come in different strengths I’m on 50mcg but could go up to 75 or 100 if needed too. I change them every 3 days and
then I take Percocet for
breakthrew pain. It helps but
not enough to give me the
quality life I desire I still hurt
all the time. It might be worth a try if you haven’t tried them. Hope things get better for you Jim.

I had two back surgeries 13 yrs ago, and have had spinal pain over the years. About 6 months ago I did the test implant with Abbott SCS and it seemed to work. Although during the test they told me not bend too much or lift heavy objects.
So, I had the implant done,and really have had very minimal results. :The Rep had repeatedly readjusted the device, have tried continuous, on and off , and continuous with separate area adjustments. I don't seem to see any difference. Sitting and , thank goodness, laying down in bed, no pain. But, standing , walking , and doing any labor I have substantial pain. It does seem to go away faster with the stimulator, but still have times of heavy pain. I have adjusted the paint monitor to various settings to get it to the highest I can take without getting that tingling on my side.
So, it does have a sleep timer to turn off at night and I am wondering how that affects the working of the device during the daytime when it's on. does it then reduce the effectiveness when it's on during the day? .. Anyway any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks

I have the Abbott Eterna. It took me a long time to get it set up so that it provided relief from my back pain. The biggest improvement for me came from when I switched from Burst mode to traditional tonic stimulation. In Burst mode it was difficult to know if I was under stimulating or over stimulating. In tonic mode the feedback is more real time.

My biggest recommendation to you is to stop turning the system off overnight. I turn my strength setting down whenever I'm lying down since the stimulation changes with position. But I never turn my system off. You're losing out on 8 hours of potential pain management every day if you turn it off when you are sleeping.

I’ve had mine for a month. So far I’ve gotten 2 programs. I don’t even know how many or what the difference is between them. I can’t see any difference between program 1 and 2.
It seems I have to contact the rep as she hasn’t reached out to me. They were very attentive when they wanted to buy the device.
So, can’t really tell if it’s working or not. Still have back pain but I don’t think as much.
What’s really hurting me is the back incision near the middle of my back. That hurts worse than my lower back pain. I’ve called the doctor twice and he says it’s the healing process. Hoping that’s the case.

First, thanks vincescs for the recommendations. I will do that. A little more detail. The Abbott rep. has been very good, He meets with me regularly to make adjustments, but they don't seem to do any difference. He now has me with an "area controlled" program. I can control how much stimulation goes to my leg and my back. I had the spinal fusion because of Sciatica on my right leg, I have rods and pins put in and the fusion. But when the surgeon did the surgery, he nicked a nerve and now I have a dropped foot on both feet. I ware AFO's on both legs which is fine, I can get around good and drive with no issues. But have the back and leg pain when ever I do any labor or stand for a long time,, (more than 10 mins.) or walk any distance. I wish I could attach a picture, but the screen has the back and leg split and has an adjustment for how much stimulation goes to each area. I can have more go to the back, and less to the leg,, depending on how I feel. Anyway, still after 6 mos. I still have a lot of pain mainly in my lower back, regardless. Again the Abbott rep has been good, just can't seem to get this thing working as expected.
Thanks

PS: How often do you have to charge your device? I have to do mine about every 3 weeks,, depending on the strength it's set at.

What brand is the device? Abbott or some other? Also, yes, the surgery healing takes some time, my incisions were sore for a while, but, I'd keep on them if I were you. You may need to call the company if you are not getting the service you feel you should from the device company rep.

It’s an Abbott. Thanks for feedback on incisions.