I had a stenosis stimulator for severe lower back pain but I never had any relief from the pain. It was in for about 3 years and then removed so I could have an MRI.
I also had the same SCS as you. I found a tiny bit of relief during the first few months. Then, nothing at all. My spinal surgeon said they are a joke.
Pain management implanted it. I had it in me for 8 yrs, and when I had my 3rd (out of 4), fusion (3rd was part one of the 4th surgery, done in 2 stages), the surgeon removed it for me. I felt no different having it removed, then when I had it in. I've had it recalibrated so many times over the 8 years, and still to no avail.
I just had (on Jan 2026), a high risk full reconstruction from T10 to pelvis (61 stitches). So, needless to say, I'm suffering big time, but glad that stupid SCS is out of me.
I hope you get some relief as I did not at all.
P.S. sorry for this late reply, but I just came across this post.
Yes I've noticed when the leads moved it feels different. The first one SCS when the leads moved it felt like a 500 lb man was sitting in my chest and I couldn't breathe. It hit nerves that squeezed my chest and had to be shut off immediately. This time I kept feeling the vibration but no serious pain just annoying. Laying in bed and suddenly vibrating when I'm trying to sleep. I would feel it all different times so it wasn't just positional.
Now the Dr who installed my 2nd one will not fix the issues just remove it period. His partner said he would remove entire device and install a new one. It seems they don't just move the leads. Maybe for me it's because of where they were placed on in thoracic and one in lumbar. The entire purpose of the SCS is to get relief and let us get back to living a somewhat normal life. If we can't bend over, twist or literally have to watch every single move we make how is that a normal life. Even with my SCS I'm still in pain meds to have a more comfortable daily life, without them I would be in bed or on the couch every day. Hopefully your Dr can come up with a plan of attack to adjust your leads and not remove and replace.
@greg72 I'm scheduled for a spinal cord stimulator Boston scientific and I asked the doctor if they improve their anchors on the leads because of the lead migration problem and apparently they have constantly been trying to upgrade them to alleviate the problem so I guess I'll find out however for the first 4 weeks I can't bend my back or lift anything so that they can kind of bog themselves down. So I'll guess I'll find out if they've improved it
I have a Boston Scientific Neurological stimulator.
At first, I was hesitant, but I do believe it's helped, but, I have severe back pain so I do have to take pain medicine to help manage it. I can tell when my stimulator battery has died and needs to be recharged, my back pain doesn't ease up as much as it does when it's fully charged.
What kind of charger do you have?
@horserider79 glad to hear something positive since I'm scheduled for one I really hope I get some relief from it since it's about all that's left to try
@greg72 I'm scheduled for a spinal cord stimulator Boston scientific and I asked the doctor if they improve their anchors on the leads because of the lead migration problem and apparently they have constantly been trying to upgrade them to alleviate the problem so I guess I'll find out however for the first 4 weeks I can't bend my back or lift anything so that they can kind of bog themselves down. So I'll guess I'll find out if they've improved it
@pen55
From personal experience, don’t hesitate to ask to have it removed if your quality of life is worse than before. I had mine (Boston Scientific) removed after two months.
Hi, my two cents are as follows: I think that the decision to get an implant for pain should ideally depend on your disease, your life situation/circumstance and also your zip code. Let me explain what I mean. When it comes to these implants, in my experience, and more important than anything else, you need to have access to at least one experienced neurosurgeon and you also need access to a top notch pain management doctor. Especially when it comes to the ScS, far too many patients either get injured by their doctor, or they end up getting no analgesic effects from the permanent stim. Even when the trial typically goes very well, with more than 50% reduction in pain, once the permanent implant is in place? No relief. The hard facts why some have good experiences with these implants and some not is, in my opinion, almost always because of the doctor/surgeon who implanted it and programmed it. For example I would NEVER have allowed an inexperienced neurosurgeon implant my pain pump. And the same goes for my ScS. I am lucky that I live in a zip code in America where I have access to the most experienced pain management doctors and some of the most excellent neurosurgeons in the country. It took me a while and a lot of trial and errors before I found this combo myself. Today I have a pain management specialist who works in tandem with the most experienced neurosurgeon
and if it weren’t for those two I believe these implants were more likely to hurt me further than to deal with my crps pain. My docs have discussed my case between themselves for yeara now, I got a report wig both of them and consequently they’ve made my case a priority, with special focus on not causing me more harm. So unless you have good access my advice is stick with oral opioids a d other pain meds instead. Only the very best pm docs and neurosurgeons can make a pain pump actually work well. A less experienced team can literally kill you, especially with the pain pump which is no joke..you carry around a 20 ml flask full of highly concentrated hydromorphone; only an expert cannplace that catheter in the right spot where it actually works. Only a highly specialised neurosurgeon can do that right and without injury. Same goes for the SCS, find the best and the brightest doctors to increase the chance of success Nd decrease the risk of permanent damage. I hope you find your team of specialist who can find the best solution for your specific situation. Everyone is different and what works for one does often not work for others. If you have a sound team I would definitely consider this implant. It can be a life saver when done right.
Today I have a pain pump from Medronics on my left side (implanted in 2022) and I also got an ScS called Eterna from Abbott, implanted on my right side (2024). Both implants help with the pain, but I stilll need orals for breakthrough
I have had back and foot nerve pain for a couple years now. Clear EMGs and MRIs but massive lower left pain in the SI joint area (If you press your finger into my back I'd go through the roof). I got SI joint fusion-zero help. I've had every type of shot and my doctor has ruled everything out. I can't bend forward
(only squat). I can't extend my left arm out to the left without nerve pain. I can't pick up anything with my left hand and most importantly, I cannot twist to the left without terrible nerve pain in my back and left foot/toes. So here I am, going to do the trial for a SCS.
I have had back and foot nerve pain for a couple years now. Clear EMGs and MRIs but massive lower left pain in the SI joint area (If you press your finger into my back I'd go through the roof). I got SI joint fusion-zero help. I've had every type of shot and my doctor has ruled everything out. I can't bend forward
(only squat). I can't extend my left arm out to the left without nerve pain. I can't pick up anything with my left hand and most importantly, I cannot twist to the left without terrible nerve pain in my back and left foot/toes. So here I am, going to do the trial for a SCS.
I have the same pain that you describe. I especially can’t twist to my left. Did your pain come on suddenly or gradually? Mine happened 2 weeks after a minor decompression surgery that absolutely fixed my right side sciatic pain. I felt so good after 2 weeks that I went to the gym before I even started PT and messed up my left side. Mine is also in my left SI joint area with major pain in my glute and upper thigh. It has been 7 months since the injury with very little improvement. I am 57 years old. I also had a clean mri and am in PT again and had 2 shots in my SI joint and a trigger pressure shot in my glute. I ice daily and will take advil if I have a busy day planned to help a little. I’m trying to hold off on any implants as I really want to get back to playing baseball, but I am interested in your results. Please keep us updated.
I have had back and foot nerve pain for a couple years now. Clear EMGs and MRIs but massive lower left pain in the SI joint area (If you press your finger into my back I'd go through the roof). I got SI joint fusion-zero help. I've had every type of shot and my doctor has ruled everything out. I can't bend forward
(only squat). I can't extend my left arm out to the left without nerve pain. I can't pick up anything with my left hand and most importantly, I cannot twist to the left without terrible nerve pain in my back and left foot/toes. So here I am, going to do the trial for a SCS.
Will do. Mine's a little more debilitating in that I can manage to go to work buts that's about it, and only a couple days a week so I work reotely the other days. I can generally just sit behind a desk. If I twist to the left not only do I get the bad back pain, but I get the shocks of nerve pain on top of my foot and occasionally in the toes. Point is, I'm sitting most of the day because I cannot walk long distances. PT and chiro seem to make it worse.
I have had back and foot nerve pain for a couple years now. Clear EMGs and MRIs but massive lower left pain in the SI joint area (If you press your finger into my back I'd go through the roof). I got SI joint fusion-zero help. I've had every type of shot and my doctor has ruled everything out. I can't bend forward
(only squat). I can't extend my left arm out to the left without nerve pain. I can't pick up anything with my left hand and most importantly, I cannot twist to the left without terrible nerve pain in my back and left foot/toes. So here I am, going to do the trial for a SCS.
@dougs72 I posted several posts above, and was saying how I had 4 fusions
This last fusion saved me. The fusion was from T10 all the way down to my pelvis. Prior to that, (praise Jesus I finally found an orthopedic specialist surgeon that does reconstructive and trauma surgeries only), every one of the surgeons didn't want to touch me (one even said i was "to complex for him, I left in tears). Meanwhile, I had the SCS in me for 8 long years inbetween other uneventful smaller fusions. The SCS did nothing. I went to the very best pain management doctor for the implant, and prior to that had the test one outside of me (wrapped around my waist). That one worked like a charm! I wanted to keep that one on me as long as I could, but they said it was only to see for one week if I got relief to be able to know if the implant would work with relief. HA! No relief after a few days. I went through needless suffering for 8 years before FINALLY finding the best orthopedic surgeon on Long Island. He removed it before doing the 3rd (I remained in ICU), and 4th (part 2), surgeries, that's how big of a surgery this was. I am now 3 months post op and in agony, but my xrays show my spine is finally straight! He had to remove part of my vertebrae, and rebuild everything. All my problems were from something called "Flatback Syndrome " and scoliosis. All my nerves were severely compressed for those long 8 years from the Flatback Syndrome, (that other surgeons did not see nor try to decompress). I suffered unbearable left leg sciatica, and am pleased to say that has eased up to very few bouts of pain. My nerves are still all messed up, but the surgeon told me the other day (at my appointment), that the nerves will take up to a year to settle down and finally find their reconnection.
But, my whole point is, if you find relief from the SCS, (not counting the out of body trial one for a week test one), then you're blessed. I wish you all the luck and hope (sincerely), you are one of the blessed ones it works for. I was told by my great surgeon they are a joke. But, perhaps you're not as complex as I was/am.
I am finally cleared for PT as of this reply to you, and will call immediately to schedule an appointment. PT works, I've had many sessions in the past.
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@fletchette Had one also. Did not work. I finally had the dead battery removed. No more implants for me.
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3 ReactionsI also had the same SCS as you. I found a tiny bit of relief during the first few months. Then, nothing at all. My spinal surgeon said they are a joke.
Pain management implanted it. I had it in me for 8 yrs, and when I had my 3rd (out of 4), fusion (3rd was part one of the 4th surgery, done in 2 stages), the surgeon removed it for me. I felt no different having it removed, then when I had it in. I've had it recalibrated so many times over the 8 years, and still to no avail.
I just had (on Jan 2026), a high risk full reconstruction from T10 to pelvis (61 stitches). So, needless to say, I'm suffering big time, but glad that stupid SCS is out of me.
I hope you get some relief as I did not at all.
P.S. sorry for this late reply, but I just came across this post.
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2 Reactions@greg72 I'm scheduled for a spinal cord stimulator Boston scientific and I asked the doctor if they improve their anchors on the leads because of the lead migration problem and apparently they have constantly been trying to upgrade them to alleviate the problem so I guess I'll find out however for the first 4 weeks I can't bend my back or lift anything so that they can kind of bog themselves down. So I'll guess I'll find out if they've improved it
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2 Reactions@horserider79 glad to hear something positive since I'm scheduled for one I really hope I get some relief from it since it's about all that's left to try
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1 Reaction@pen55
From personal experience, don’t hesitate to ask to have it removed if your quality of life is worse than before. I had mine (Boston Scientific) removed after two months.
-
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Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHi, my two cents are as follows: I think that the decision to get an implant for pain should ideally depend on your disease, your life situation/circumstance and also your zip code. Let me explain what I mean. When it comes to these implants, in my experience, and more important than anything else, you need to have access to at least one experienced neurosurgeon and you also need access to a top notch pain management doctor. Especially when it comes to the ScS, far too many patients either get injured by their doctor, or they end up getting no analgesic effects from the permanent stim. Even when the trial typically goes very well, with more than 50% reduction in pain, once the permanent implant is in place? No relief. The hard facts why some have good experiences with these implants and some not is, in my opinion, almost always because of the doctor/surgeon who implanted it and programmed it. For example I would NEVER have allowed an inexperienced neurosurgeon implant my pain pump. And the same goes for my ScS. I am lucky that I live in a zip code in America where I have access to the most experienced pain management doctors and some of the most excellent neurosurgeons in the country. It took me a while and a lot of trial and errors before I found this combo myself. Today I have a pain management specialist who works in tandem with the most experienced neurosurgeon
and if it weren’t for those two I believe these implants were more likely to hurt me further than to deal with my crps pain. My docs have discussed my case between themselves for yeara now, I got a report wig both of them and consequently they’ve made my case a priority, with special focus on not causing me more harm. So unless you have good access my advice is stick with oral opioids a d other pain meds instead. Only the very best pm docs and neurosurgeons can make a pain pump actually work well. A less experienced team can literally kill you, especially with the pain pump which is no joke..you carry around a 20 ml flask full of highly concentrated hydromorphone; only an expert cannplace that catheter in the right spot where it actually works. Only a highly specialised neurosurgeon can do that right and without injury. Same goes for the SCS, find the best and the brightest doctors to increase the chance of success Nd decrease the risk of permanent damage. I hope you find your team of specialist who can find the best solution for your specific situation. Everyone is different and what works for one does often not work for others. If you have a sound team I would definitely consider this implant. It can be a life saver when done right.
Today I have a pain pump from Medronics on my left side (implanted in 2022) and I also got an ScS called Eterna from Abbott, implanted on my right side (2024). Both implants help with the pain, but I stilll need orals for breakthrough
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsI have had back and foot nerve pain for a couple years now. Clear EMGs and MRIs but massive lower left pain in the SI joint area (If you press your finger into my back I'd go through the roof). I got SI joint fusion-zero help. I've had every type of shot and my doctor has ruled everything out. I can't bend forward
(only squat). I can't extend my left arm out to the left without nerve pain. I can't pick up anything with my left hand and most importantly, I cannot twist to the left without terrible nerve pain in my back and left foot/toes. So here I am, going to do the trial for a SCS.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI have the same pain that you describe. I especially can’t twist to my left. Did your pain come on suddenly or gradually? Mine happened 2 weeks after a minor decompression surgery that absolutely fixed my right side sciatic pain. I felt so good after 2 weeks that I went to the gym before I even started PT and messed up my left side. Mine is also in my left SI joint area with major pain in my glute and upper thigh. It has been 7 months since the injury with very little improvement. I am 57 years old. I also had a clean mri and am in PT again and had 2 shots in my SI joint and a trigger pressure shot in my glute. I ice daily and will take advil if I have a busy day planned to help a little. I’m trying to hold off on any implants as I really want to get back to playing baseball, but I am interested in your results. Please keep us updated.
Will do. Mine's a little more debilitating in that I can manage to go to work buts that's about it, and only a couple days a week so I work reotely the other days. I can generally just sit behind a desk. If I twist to the left not only do I get the bad back pain, but I get the shocks of nerve pain on top of my foot and occasionally in the toes. Point is, I'm sitting most of the day because I cannot walk long distances. PT and chiro seem to make it worse.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@dougs72 I posted several posts above, and was saying how I had 4 fusions
This last fusion saved me. The fusion was from T10 all the way down to my pelvis. Prior to that, (praise Jesus I finally found an orthopedic specialist surgeon that does reconstructive and trauma surgeries only), every one of the surgeons didn't want to touch me (one even said i was "to complex for him, I left in tears). Meanwhile, I had the SCS in me for 8 long years inbetween other uneventful smaller fusions. The SCS did nothing. I went to the very best pain management doctor for the implant, and prior to that had the test one outside of me (wrapped around my waist). That one worked like a charm! I wanted to keep that one on me as long as I could, but they said it was only to see for one week if I got relief to be able to know if the implant would work with relief. HA! No relief after a few days. I went through needless suffering for 8 years before FINALLY finding the best orthopedic surgeon on Long Island. He removed it before doing the 3rd (I remained in ICU), and 4th (part 2), surgeries, that's how big of a surgery this was. I am now 3 months post op and in agony, but my xrays show my spine is finally straight! He had to remove part of my vertebrae, and rebuild everything. All my problems were from something called "Flatback Syndrome " and scoliosis. All my nerves were severely compressed for those long 8 years from the Flatback Syndrome, (that other surgeons did not see nor try to decompress). I suffered unbearable left leg sciatica, and am pleased to say that has eased up to very few bouts of pain. My nerves are still all messed up, but the surgeon told me the other day (at my appointment), that the nerves will take up to a year to settle down and finally find their reconnection.
But, my whole point is, if you find relief from the SCS, (not counting the out of body trial one for a week test one), then you're blessed. I wish you all the luck and hope (sincerely), you are one of the blessed ones it works for. I was told by my great surgeon they are a joke. But, perhaps you're not as complex as I was/am.
I am finally cleared for PT as of this reply to you, and will call immediately to schedule an appointment. PT works, I've had many sessions in the past.
Best of luck, and may God bless you with relief.