Spinal Cord Stimulator Removal

No problem with our Cigna Insurance. Botched lead install by pain MD. Had it removed by a neurosurgeon (probably overkill, but….)

I'm sorry that you had such a bad experience. Sometimes I wonder if it's the device or a poor surgery that did not properly implant the device. Did you have a successful trial? It seems that having a good trial is no indicator of whether the permanent implant will help.
I certainly hope that you can get over the different issues you are currently experiencing.

I had the nerve spine stimulator for 5 years. It was never on because it caused me more pain. Last year it was removed and the surgeon literally almost killed me. He tore my spinal cord in 2 places and tore the pain pump he implanted 6 months prior. He told me 3 times he was wipping his hands of me cause he didnt know what was wrong with me. I had 3 large lumps on my spine that looked like baseballs. It took him 1 month to refer me to another surgeon who saved my life. He took 1 look at me and knew i was leaking mass amounts of spinal fluid. He did a emergency surgery and thats when he found the tear in the pain pump too. Last summer was a nightmare for me and now im in very severe back pain all the time. The crazy thing is no doctor is controlling my pain. My body feels like its dying from all the pain im forced to suffer through. My story is very long of what has happened to me. Nobody should get that nerve spine stimulator. Its very dangerous. Could cost you your life like me.

I am sorry you had to go through all that. No one should have to endure all that. Don’t become bitter. Keep trying to find someone who work with you in order to find some kind of relief. Blessings to you.

I am sorry you had to go through all that. No one should have to endure all that. Don’t become bitter. Keep trying to find someone who work with you in order to find some kind of relief. Blessings to you.

I have had a Medtronic SCS for over ten years - with one replacement. It was a great relief early on but have found over the past years I have not used it for both good (improvement) and not so good (increasing other pain). I am now in is situation that looks to be CSS. I am anticipating requiring future MRI's so removal would be necessary. Replacement was not difficult but am curious to know the extent of surgery/recovery from a removal. I have a feeling I may be underestimating the process. Thank you for any input.

I had the nerve spine stimulator for 5 years. It was never on because it caused me more pain. Last year it was removed and the surgeon literally almost killed me. He tore my spinal cord in 2 places and tore the pain pump he implanted 6 months prior. He told me 3 times he was wipping his hands of me cause he didnt know what was wrong with me. I had 3 large lumps on my spine that looked like baseballs. It took him 1 month to refer me to another surgeon who saved my life. He took 1 look at me and knew i was leaking mass amounts of spinal fluid. He did a emergency surgery and thats when he found the tear in the pain pump too. Last summer was a nightmare for me and now im in very severe back pain all the time. The crazy thing is no doctor is controlling my pain. My body feels like its dying from all the pain im forced to suffer through. My story is very long of what has happened to me. Nobody should get that nerve spine stimulator. Its very dangerous. Could cost you your life like me.

My husband was in a car wreck back in '99 and fractured his spine in 3 places. Rods and pedicle screws were put in, but they kept coming loose and had to be replaced. At that time, they put in what they told us was a battery to stimulate the bone. At some point, the screws came loose again, and he developed severe back pain and huge basketball-sized squishy lumps on his back. He saw orthopedic surgeons who took samples of the fluid inside and they told him they had no idea what it was. He went on like this for almost 10 years. Finally, a doctor referred him to a Neurosurgeon who took one look and said he needed surgery immediately. The next day he was in surgery and after the surgeon said he couldn't figure out how my husband was still alive. All of the hardware was removed, and the battery was leaking. He had to have bone grafts and tissue grafts. He had MRSA, Sepsis, Septic Shock, and Osteomyelitis. He was hospitalized for 3 weeks as they weren't sure he would make it.
He still has pain and all they were giving him was tramadol. He finally had it out with them and they ordered oxycodone. But even that just takes the edge off.
I would never ever recommend those stimulators. As you said, it can cost you your life.

I had the nerve spine stimulator for 5 years. It was never on because it caused me more pain. Last year it was removed and the surgeon literally almost killed me. He tore my spinal cord in 2 places and tore the pain pump he implanted 6 months prior. He told me 3 times he was wipping his hands of me cause he didnt know what was wrong with me. I had 3 large lumps on my spine that looked like baseballs. It took him 1 month to refer me to another surgeon who saved my life. He took 1 look at me and knew i was leaking mass amounts of spinal fluid. He did a emergency surgery and thats when he found the tear in the pain pump too. Last summer was a nightmare for me and now im in very severe back pain all the time. The crazy thing is no doctor is controlling my pain. My body feels like its dying from all the pain im forced to suffer through. My story is very long of what has happened to me. Nobody should get that nerve spine stimulator. Its very dangerous. Could cost you your life like me.