Anyone with a Medtronic Stimulator that they're not happy with?

PS. Removal is more difficult if one has paddles as opposed to just ' electrodes ' ( not sure exact name, ). I believe i had paddles cuz my bled was at lead paddle, which is unusual. I had MRI's that reveal none of this. This was ONLY revealed when I did MRI in surgeon's office, just prior to removal so pls also know one's MRI results only as good as Radiologist..and many are obviously lacking. I was constantly told all was well...it was not !

Got my trial spinal cord stimulator removed yesterday (8/22/25) It didn't work for my nerve pain. They tried to get me to keep it in over the weekend and try and different setting. I declined. I was so ready to have it removed. I am so happy it was just a trial. It did not hurt to remove it. The only thing I felt was the tape that was holding the implant on my back. Now that hurt a lot! I don't know what's next to relieve my nerve pain.

I was given gabapentin when I was first diagnosed. That drug caused me to fall and lose focus. I went to another neurologist and he suggested pregabalin and baclofin.ye I have been ok with it. I take 75 mg of pregabalin {Lyrica} every 6 hours 3 times each day starting at 8 a.m. then 2 pm then again at 8 pm It all depends when I start the first dose. then it is always 6 hours then another 6 hours. with each dose of pregabalin I take baclofin. 2 then 1 then 2 with last dose of the day. I have alot of pain in my feet, and legs I apply Aspercreme with lidocaine -found it at Walmart, several times a day if I am able. I also have had 3 fusions 1 cervical, one laminectomy/discectomy and bilateral sacral fusion. I had a Boston Scientific Spinal Cord stimulator implanted 3 years ago. I chose this one because you are able to have an MRI with it. It doesn't stop all pain but if I turn it off I know I need it. I am going to research Protandim NRF-2. A tip from a Facebook neuropathy group. She sent me a video and info how her husband has alot of relief with it. I will try anything to keep off the typical meds for this horrible condition. My pain with PN has been disabling at times, I must use a cane. I am really searching for a holistic way to stop these meds. Hope this helps some.

@love2cusmile
Did it hurt to have the trial leads inserted?

@lisajanec I was put in a twilight sleep so I didn't have pain when they inserted the trial leads however for the next four days I was in extreme pain from the surgical site not from the thoracic region where my original pain was coming from. I just had the permanent implant on January 23rd and they turned it on January 28th and I had so much pain from the surgery which I was not expecting. The Med Tronics representative told me it could take up to two weeks to begin actually working on stopping the pain signals from reaching my brain so I am still having to avoid everything that triggers my pain and take pain medication. I am just waiting to see if it works. I had great results in the trial, no pain at all in the thoracic spine just horrid pain from the surgery to put the leads in my spine, so I am praying this kicks in and blocks the pain signals. If it works it will be the first time in six years where I can function normally again. I have already undergone 3 cervical surgeries and 3 lumbar surgeries but there was nothing in the thoracic spine that indicated surgery would help. So my last ditch attempt was the SCS.

@annamtk have you heard of the Spero Clinic in Fayetteville AR, they have a successful program for CRPS.