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Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulator for a 36 yo w/low back pain/epilepsy

Posted by noelia88 @noelia88, Aug 21, 2024

Hello, I am 36 years old and I have epilepsy for the past 11 years (it started with my pregnancy and they never stopped). Since then I have had low back pain that gets worse after every episode, It never gets better, sometimes the injections helped but not anymore, physical therapy, acupuncture, massages didn't work ether. My back MRIs and X-rays are unremarkable but I still have this pain that doesn't let me have a normal life and puts me down to bed. Now, my pain management doctor is recommending SCS by medtronics and I would like to hear from others that have done SCS or that are in the process. Thank you.

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Sep 20, 2024
In reply to @kburt911 "My pain doctor said he will handle it." + (show)
Profile picture for kburt911 @kburt911

My pain doctor said he will handle it.

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Good luck. You desrve better.

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kburt911 | @kburt911 | Sep 20, 2024
In reply to @alexis7 "I agree with Heisenberg and maybe ask for a different rep. I have an Abbott Wavewriter..." + (show)
Profile picture for alexis7 @alexis7

I agree with Heisenberg and maybe ask for a different rep. I have an Abbott Wavewriter SCS. A rep (there are two or three for my area) contacts me within hours of my text or call, sometimes that evening but never the next day. I have had it reprogrammed a few times and I never wait more than week to be seen for that. Go up the ladder, area rep, district rep, regional rep - whatever and contact someone at Abbott customer support because what you're experiencing is totally unacceptable. Does your doctor know how you're being ignored? They should be contacting the rep too. I am so sorry you're dealing with this and hope you get the help you deserve.

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My pain doctor is going to take care of it. Question for you. When you first got your stimulator did it start working? When you get reprogrammed do you get more relief? I am still on the same program from the time it was implanted over 2 months ago with no relief.

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alexis7 | @alexis7 | Sep 20, 2024
In reply to @cynthi13 "Hello. I am 73 years old and am having severe sciatica. I have scoliosis, with a..." + (show)
Profile picture for cynthi13 @cynthi13

Hello. I am 73 years old and am having severe sciatica. I have scoliosis, with a 48 degree curvature. I have had the temporary SCS implanted and when it was removed, I realized it had given me about 50% pain relief. After removal, I am experiencing severe sciatica, which has affected my ability to walk, without the use of a cane. I am going to have the SCS permanently implanted and would like to hear from if any of you have had this implant and if so, was it successful. Thanks

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I'm glad your doctor is getting on it. Abbott wants to keep doctors happy so they buy from them.

It's been awhile but I think I met with the rep for reprogramming within a month of the implant. I still had some anesthesia on board (in my system) when they programmed it in recovery so I was probably not the ideal historian for pain level, too sleepy.

I hope you get it programmed soon and it helps you.

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alexis7 | @alexis7 | Sep 21, 2024
In reply to @cynthi13 "How does your Abbott Wavewriter SCS work for you? Does it eliminate your pain.?" + (show)
Profile picture for cynthi13 @cynthi13

How does your Abbott Wavewriter SCS work for you? Does it eliminate your pain.?

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The goal for the SCS is to eliminate the pain by least 50%, not 100%. I don't know if anything will eliminate it completely.

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kburt911 | @kburt911 | Sep 21, 2024
In reply to @alexis7 "The goal for the SCS is to eliminate the pain by least 50%, not 100%. I..." + (show)
Profile picture for alexis7 @alexis7

The goal for the SCS is to eliminate the pain by least 50%, not 100%. I don't know if anything will eliminate it completely.

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50% is exactly what they told me however I have had no relief as yet. The Dr must have gotten a hold of someone because a different rep messaged me yesterday. Hopefully we can get something going here.

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susanjc8 | @susanjc8 | Sep 21, 2024
In reply to @cynthi13 "Hello. I am 73 years old and am having severe sciatica. I have scoliosis, with a..." + (show)
Profile picture for cynthi13 @cynthi13

Hello. I am 73 years old and am having severe sciatica. I have scoliosis, with a 48 degree curvature. I have had the temporary SCS implanted and when it was removed, I realized it had given me about 50% pain relief. After removal, I am experiencing severe sciatica, which has affected my ability to walk, without the use of a cane. I am going to have the SCS permanently implanted and would like to hear from if any of you have had this implant and if so, was it successful. Thanks

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I have an Abbott, not a Medtronix , but I was doubting my SCS for awhile, also. It didn't seem to be doing as much as the temporary test one had. I waited a few months, then called my Rep. I have three I can call, and they are very quick to respond, fortunately. I met with one the next day and they reset my SCS , and it now works much better. I feel that I am getting at least 50% or more relief now. I think it just takes awhile to get everything set to work maxiximally, but you also MUST advocate for yourself! Keep after your Rep until you are getting some re!ief.

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gotit123 | @gotit123 | Mar 14 6:01pm
In reply to @heisenberg34 "I had the Medtronic SCS implanted back in 2018. The trial gave me about 80% pain..." + (show)
Profile picture for heisenberg34 @heisenberg34

I had the Medtronic SCS implanted back in 2018. The trial gave me about 80% pain relief. The permanent implant gave me about 50% relief. Along with my meds it made an almost normal life possible...back to cycling, skiing, working around the property, etc. Then, in 2021, it just stopped working. There was some thought that the paddle mayhave moved or some of the electrodes on the paddle had shorted out. If you are out of other options, I would say to go for it. Preferable to back surgery which is a coin toss. Mat the Lord be with you.

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@heis did your implant ever start working again

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Mar 15 7:49am
In reply to @gotit123 "@heis did your implant ever start working again" + (show)
Profile picture for gotit123 @gotit123

@heis did your implant ever start working again

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@gotit123 No. I had the battery replaced with the NEVRO HFX, but they eventually thought the problem was in the paddle electrodes. Some had, apparently, burned out. I had the whole thing replaced.

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gotit123 | @gotit123 | Mar 15 8:59am
In reply to @cynthi13 "Hello. I am 73 years old and am having severe sciatica. I have scoliosis, with a..." + (show)
Profile picture for cynthi13 @cynthi13

Hello. I am 73 years old and am having severe sciatica. I have scoliosis, with a 48 degree curvature. I have had the temporary SCS implanted and when it was removed, I realized it had given me about 50% pain relief. After removal, I am experiencing severe sciatica, which has affected my ability to walk, without the use of a cane. I am going to have the SCS permanently implanted and would like to hear from if any of you have had this implant and if so, was it successful. Thanks

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Has the new one worked for you.I hope so

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Profile picture for heisenberg34
heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Mar 15 11:07am
In reply to @cynthi13 "Hello. I am 73 years old and am having severe sciatica. I have scoliosis, with a..." + (show)
Profile picture for cynthi13 @cynthi13

Hello. I am 73 years old and am having severe sciatica. I have scoliosis, with a 48 degree curvature. I have had the temporary SCS implanted and when it was removed, I realized it had given me about 50% pain relief. After removal, I am experiencing severe sciatica, which has affected my ability to walk, without the use of a cane. I am going to have the SCS permanently implanted and would like to hear from if any of you have had this implant and if so, was it successful. Thanks

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@gotit123 I had the Medtronic SCS implanted about eight years ago. It worked really well along with my meds. I could do almost everything that I could do before my accident. It stopped working suddenly in 2021. All my pain came back. Looking back, I think I overdid it quite a bit which may have led to its demise. So, to those of you with a functional SCS, DO NOT OVERDUE IT. Just because you feel good doesn't mean that the pain is gone. The electrical signals only mask the pain. Don't take a chance like I did. It's not worth it in the long run.

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