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Spinal cord stimulator support

Posted by robyng @robyng, Mar 27, 2024

I recently had a spinal cord stimulator implanted and would love to hear from others who have one and their experiences.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

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anniesezu812 | @anniesezu812 | Sep 10, 2025
In reply to @queenierlb "I also have a SCS. You may need to contact Medtronic to have them recalibrate you...." + (show)
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I also have a SCS. You may need to contact Medtronic to have them recalibrate you. You can also turn the battery off. Im sorry for your frustration. I can certainly understand your pain as I do not get the relief from my stimulator as well.

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I had terrible complications with mine. Its bedn removed 5 weeks ago, due all the nerve pain it caused me recovery is very hard.
Pls keep contacting someone to help. Any complications with your spine can be very serious.
You have to be VERY proactive and advocate strongly. I was up against male medical Drs telling me removal wasn't wise, but I fought for it and despite my hard recovery im glad its gone. The hardware was causing considerable pain and it was switched off. Pls fight for your health!!

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fiddleflyer | @fiddleflyer | Oct 3, 2025

Hello.
I hope it is going well with you.
I am scheduled for my trial I. Two weeks. I am wondering how limiting it will be? What will I not be able to do?

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Oct 4, 2025
In reply to @fiddleflyer "Hello. I hope it is going well with you. I am scheduled for my trial I...." + (show)
Profile picture for fiddleflyer @fiddleflyer

Hello.
I hope it is going well with you.
I am scheduled for my trial I. Two weeks. I am wondering how limiting it will be? What will I not be able to do?

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@fiddleflyer They want you to limit your movements. No heavy lifting. No more than about five pounds. No lifting your arms over your head. Don't bend over. Avoid showering until the temporary battery is removed. These are the main restrictions I had during my trial.

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fiddleflyer | @fiddleflyer | Oct 4, 2025
In reply to @heisenberg34 "@fiddleflyer They want you to limit your movements. No heavy lifting. No more than about five..." + (show)
Profile picture for heisenberg34 @heisenberg34

@fiddleflyer They want you to limit your movements. No heavy lifting. No more than about five pounds. No lifting your arms over your head. Don't bend over. Avoid showering until the temporary battery is removed. These are the main restrictions I had during my trial.

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@heisenberg34
Thank you!

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grinchy | @grinchy | Oct 4, 2025
In reply to @stantallusa "I had a metronics put in. I was not wanting to put anything in permanently. But..." + (show)
Profile picture for stantallusa @stantallusa

I had a metronics put in. I was not wanting to put anything in permanently. But finally got talked into it.
Have had it in for a bit over a year I think.
I have heard great things about them. But me not so much.
I see the commercials showing a couple laughing and holding hands walking in a field.
Not my experience.
Not sure if it’s more of a trading issue or if it was just the wrong answer for me.
But, so far, it has been very disappointing.

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@stantallusa may I ask, what is your condition?.. I’m fused and soooo scared to even do the trial..

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grinchy | @grinchy | Oct 4, 2025
In reply to @brotherchuckles80 "You always hear more negative than positive. Because the people who have had positive results and..." + (show)
Profile picture for brotherchuckles80 @brotherchuckles80

You always hear more negative than positive. Because the people who have had positive results and I'm generalizing tend not to report it. I have had my Abbott Laboratories spinal cord stimulator now going on 3 years and I fortunately have received 100% positive results in pain relief in the lumbar area. So there is a positive out of many who do not report their positive results. God bless you and your decision making. And I always say do your research research research research then make an informative decision. Brother Chuckles 80

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@brotherchuckles80 what condition do you have this implant for?.. no spine fusion right?.. I’m desperate and your comment is the only positive one iv come across but alas I am fused and have a bone mass that I believe will cause problems during the implant.. I’m so terrified I don’t think I’ll be able to go through with it.. sigh!! 😔

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rebeccaherdina | @rebeccaherdina | Oct 6, 2025
In reply to @sbrown293 "My husband had the NEVRO unit placed, after the trial. A person from NEVRO called him..." + (show)
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My husband had the NEVRO unit placed, after the trial. A person from NEVRO called him the day after placement to check pain level. The person adjusted his device while on the phone with him. Communication continued the first week. He was very pleased with the device. Charging every night was a minor issue. He recommended his friends with back issues to see pain management to see if that was something that might help him. It certainly helped his quality of life.

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@sbrown293
I'm glad you are having success with your Nevro. I had the surgery last December 2024. This is for my Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in my foot. Recently, I have had increased pain and sensitivity where the battery pack is. Has anyone experienced this? I shut down the SCS to have a break. I was getting overstimulated.

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Oct 7, 2025
In reply to @rebeccaherdina "@sbrown293 I'm glad you are having success with your Nevro. I had the surgery last December..." + (show)
Profile picture for rebeccaherdina @rebeccaherdina

@sbrown293
I'm glad you are having success with your Nevro. I had the surgery last December 2024. This is for my Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in my foot. Recently, I have had increased pain and sensitivity where the battery pack is. Has anyone experienced this? I shut down the SCS to have a break. I was getting overstimulated.

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@rebeccaherdina I had the NEVRO battery implanted to replace my old Medtronic unit. I just remember it sticking out on my left side almost like a hockey puck. I finally had everything removed as it did not provide any help.

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lillym | @lillym | Oct 7, 2025

I have an appointment with my neurosurgeon this month and asking if anyone has had SCS put in and what results from it ?

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anniesezu812 | @anniesezu812 | Oct 8, 2025

My story is too lengthy and its already been told, but I am a SCS nightmare story.
I personally would never, ever recommend this device.

My friend is a Nurse and refused one, her nephew is a Dr and also told her he woukd never advise one. If you are lucky they help. I had bleds in the spinal canal, a lot of scarring , severe pain at site of battery and my body rejected the hardware. I also have nerve damage to right leg. Drs
minimize the side effects, they can be profound and very serious. Pls research thoroughly. Mine is out.

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