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Anyone had a spinal cord stimulator removal?

Posted by calofmichigan @calofmichigan, Feb 8 2:44pm

Has anyone had their spinal cord stimulator removed?
For what reason?
How long did you have it in?
What was recovery like after removal?

I had my SCS (Boston Scientific) placed December 15, 2025. At the two- week follow up, severe back spasms along the leads (not paddles) created a hard painful ridge of muscle. They adjusted the settings twice.

Finally I just turned the battery off with some relief but I am still left with serious muscle spasms along the leads. I cannot walk or stand for more than 5 minutes without debilitating pain.

I’m on all the normal medications: narcotics which merely take the edge off, two different muscle relaxants, and gabapentin. I only get complete relief from lying down.

Finally I asked the surgeon to remove the hardware which he is willing to do, probably occurring in the next month.

If you’ve had your hardware removed, when did you start feeling better?? What was recovery like?

Thank you.
Christine

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calofmichigan | @calofmichigan | Feb 25 7:00pm
In reply to @elteec98 "I also want my SCS removed. I’ve had it for years and after the permanent with..." + (show)
Profile picture for elteec98 @elteec98

I also want my SCS removed. I’ve had it for years and after the permanent with implanted numerous adjustments failed. I let it totally die. The problem I am having is where the battery is located puts pressure on my only working kidney and is painful. Additionally, where the wires connect to the leads on my spine has built up a huge knot of of scar tissue which is also painful when there is pressure put on it. I contacted Boston Science and as expected they never respond. I’d like info from someone who has had there’s removed as well as to what type of surgeon removed it, how long it took, and recovery time.

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@elteec98
I just had mine removed yesterday by a neurosurgeon. I only lasted about 2 months with it before I insisted it be taken out. The anesthesia has worn off and recovery today is painful, but it’s too early to tell the outcome yet. I’ll need to wait 8-12 weeks to give you an accurate report of the pain and what I can do. I should be able to walk and exercise without harming things in about 2-3 weeks. It’s hard not to push it along. Patience was never my strong suit. I’ll try to reach back out in a few weeks.

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calofmichigan | @calofmichigan | Mar 14 9:08am

Has any one had serious muscle spasms of the back after SCS removal? I’m 3 weeks out from removal and having serious, painful muscle spasms up the left side of my spine where the wires were. If you have experienced this, how long did it last? It occurs after only 5 minutes of standing or walking. My only relief comes from icing and lying flat.

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Mar 15 8:04am
In reply to @calofmichigan "Has any one had serious muscle spasms of the back after SCS removal? I’m 3 weeks..." + (show)
Profile picture for calofmichigan @calofmichigan

Has any one had serious muscle spasms of the back after SCS removal? I’m 3 weeks out from removal and having serious, painful muscle spasms up the left side of my spine where the wires were. If you have experienced this, how long did it last? It occurs after only 5 minutes of standing or walking. My only relief comes from icing and lying flat.

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@calofmichigan I had my SCS removed almost two years ago because it had stopped working. Several months later I noticed an occasional twitching across my upper back that hadn't been there before. Not sure if this is the same as your experience. I don't feel pain, just the twitching.

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calofmichigan | @calofmichigan | Mar 15 9:05am
In reply to @heisenberg34 "@calofmichigan I had my SCS removed almost two years ago because it had stopped working. Several..." + (show)
Profile picture for heisenberg34 @heisenberg34

@calofmichigan I had my SCS removed almost two years ago because it had stopped working. Several months later I noticed an occasional twitching across my upper back that hadn't been there before. Not sure if this is the same as your experience. I don't feel pain, just the twitching.

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Thanks, @heisenberg34 ,
I can deal with twitching or anything else that doesn’t cause debilitating pain. Right now, my buns are numb but I can deal with that long-term. It doesn’t prevent me from living life to my fullest extent.

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vikkitennis | @vikkitennis | Mar 16 12:29am
In reply to @calofmichigan "Has any one had serious muscle spasms of the back after SCS removal? I’m 3 weeks..." + (show)
Profile picture for calofmichigan @calofmichigan

Has any one had serious muscle spasms of the back after SCS removal? I’m 3 weeks out from removal and having serious, painful muscle spasms up the left side of my spine where the wires were. If you have experienced this, how long did it last? It occurs after only 5 minutes of standing or walking. My only relief comes from icing and lying flat.

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I too, had the SCS removed 3/2025, and where the paddles were placed and removed, I experience pain and a dull with constant ache when standing for a time. Ibuprofen and resting off my feet helps, but I have a feeling this will not go away.

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calofmichigan | @calofmichigan | Mar 16 9:35am
In reply to @vikkitennis "I too, had the SCS removed 3/2025, and where the paddles were placed and removed, I..." + (show)
Profile picture for vikkitennis @vikkitennis

I too, had the SCS removed 3/2025, and where the paddles were placed and removed, I experience pain and a dull with constant ache when standing for a time. Ibuprofen and resting off my feet helps, but I have a feeling this will not go away.

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@vikkitennis
Thank you. Your post will help me manage my expectations.

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pen55 | @pen55 | Mar 17 12:05pm
In reply to @calofmichigan "Has any one had serious muscle spasms of the back after SCS removal? I’m 3 weeks..." + (show)
Profile picture for calofmichigan @calofmichigan

Has any one had serious muscle spasms of the back after SCS removal? I’m 3 weeks out from removal and having serious, painful muscle spasms up the left side of my spine where the wires were. If you have experienced this, how long did it last? It occurs after only 5 minutes of standing or walking. My only relief comes from icing and lying flat.

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Has anyone had a good response from scs?

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calofmichigan | @calofmichigan | Mar 17 1:55pm
In reply to @calofmichigan "Has any one had serious muscle spasms of the back after SCS removal? I’m 3 weeks..." + (show)
Profile picture for calofmichigan @calofmichigan

Has any one had serious muscle spasms of the back after SCS removal? I’m 3 weeks out from removal and having serious, painful muscle spasms up the left side of my spine where the wires were. If you have experienced this, how long did it last? It occurs after only 5 minutes of standing or walking. My only relief comes from icing and lying flat.

Jump to this post

Here’s a good article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12672166/

Look under plain language paragraph. Only 14% fail.

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