Should I have the Spinal Cord Stimulator? Looking for reviews on this

@pen55
Have you discussed a pain pump with your doctor? It will pump opiates into your spine and this does not affect your brain, only your spine. I have had a pump since 2015. I hear horror stories about spinal cord stimulators not working and having to be removed (yet another surgery). The pump requires maintenance as it must be refilled with medication about every three to four months. This requires an injection, but Lidocaine can be injected first to reduce discomfort. I have severe scoliosis and spinal stenosis. without my pump I would be in a wheelchair. The pump I have is from Medtronics. It might be worth looking into.

Getting my SCS in a few weeks, I just want to be able to walk. Has anyone gotten motor function in their legs back? I have a failed L4/5 and neuropathy. I’ve been on 2400 mg gabapentin for 20 years and recently tramadol. Idk just tired and pray this helps. Mine will be done in outpatient surgery center. Will post more after procedure is done….

@denman55 I'm in the same boat as you after fighting with ilio inguinal pain for 4 years it's so debilitating the only option I have now is a spinal cord stimulator which I'm scheduled for in a couple of weeks I just have to have faith in my doctor and not get too anxious over some of the horror stories. Different people have different outcomes I just hope one of the lucky ones that gets at least 50%, 30%

@pen55

Maybe talk with the folks at Boston Scientific or which ever brand is offered to you and ask them who in your area has the best success rate. Then the probe has to be in the right spot. For about 6 weeks after the device is inpanted my friend says that you have to be very careful not to move the probe until it has grown into place. The Bos Sci rep describes my friend's pain doc as the best of the best. I am going to see him this Monday the 20th. I hope he can offer some relief that doesn't use SCS methodology.

I had my back pain under moderately good control with meds from 2017 to 2018. I still had some bad days. I met with a local pain specialist who suggested the SCS. Prior to the implant (mine is Medtronics), you have the trial. The trial is done in the doctor's office. A temporary lead is placed in the Thoracic vertebrae area and the lead is attached to the generator ( actually a battery) which is temporarily taped to your back. Very easy and quick procedure. Wear the device for 3 to 5 days to see how much pain mitigation you get. I got about 70 to 80% pain reduction. Felt great. So, I went ahead with the surgery. It's usually an out patient procedure. The permanent implant didn't give quite as much relief as the trial, but it was still good. Recommend at least having the trial. If it doesn't help, they just remove it and send you on your way. There are a number of SCSs out there. Nevro is supposed to be good, also.

I wish you well, and pray you find some relief.

Thank you for your reply and review. I guess I still have just to many questions about the procedure and I've read just to many negative reviews and reports of severe injuries as a result of having the SCS implanted, including paralysis. Wouldn't the trial be done in an outpatient surgical center? I can't imagine it could be done in a doctors office.

I have a question I had Spinal Fusion done on Oct 2, 2025 and my back is still killing me and I'm also very hesitant about getting the spinal cord stimulator spinal cord stimulator or a pian pump which I don't really wanna put anything else into my back unless I know it will work. I live in Louisiana and my doctors wont prescribe any narcotics unless its after surgery and only for 6 weeks. I've been on gabapentin, diazepam, and tramadol nothing has worked. I can barley walk for long or sit I have to go to the ER every 2 weeks to to get my pain from a 10 to a 6. At the ER the only they give me is Dilaudid which does help reduce my pain. Any suggestion for me?