Spinal Cord stimulator battery pain

I had an Abbout stimulator installed about 5 months ago. From the start I had extreme burning sensation around the areas of the battery pack, the wires going up my back, and where the shock is located in my middle back.
It still hurts basically all the time but it’s a lot worse if I lay on my back, recline in my recliner, or even sit in a chair that has a back on it.
On my first visit post op, the doctor pretty much thought it was post op pain. Second visit I saw a pretty new NP and I don’t think she knew much. It’s getting to the point now that I realize that something needs to be done.
It does seem to have helped me with the low back pain but this new pain is just as bad or worse.

I also had an Abbott almost 2 months ago and I think I have more pain now than before. I am a back sleeper but I cannot sleep like that anymore.
I am getting nerve pain in areas that is requiring me to see a urologist.
I am scheduled for a Cysto procedure tomorrow and if all is clear I get an MRI to see where the surgeon placed the wires. My Urologist is suspecting that the Abbott is the thing causing the pain.
I have buyers remorse and wish I had read the Mayo blogs, to see what others are experiencing, probably would have skipped on the implant

Hello Everyone,
Im active on this site so you may recognize me!
I also have 'deep buyers remorse' re SCS. I was co- erced into mine, despite protests. Sadly the " Trtal" is nothing like the real deal and I was lead to believe it was a minimal procedure....for me it was not, and as with others my pain is now much worse and I assume I have nerve damage, especially prevalent in the right leg.
To the person struggling with battery pack pain, mine got so bad I ended up on a liquid diet for over 3 months. It exacerbated my existing abdominal pain horrendously.
Eventually my body was rejecting the battery pack so terribly I had everything removed. Even at this point Drs were suggesting I leave the hardware " just in case for the future". The last 8 months I had the device it was switched off.
I am 7 weeks post very painful removal but thankfully g the very painful/ large swelling around the battery pack is subsiding but I too cannot put any pressure on this location. I can only speak from my experience but our bodies were not designed to accommodate these devices. If you feel able, I would highly recommend removal if hardware causes pain.. Even switched off, I experienced complications....spinal canal bled and much scar tissue build up. I cannot understand Drs pushing SPC so much....$$$$ I guess....shameful. This is my personal story and I'm sharing it to help others...we must each trust our gut, since no one else feels our Pain. Gd luck All❤️

@startxid
I drink Juven wound healing nutrition. It’s fantastic! I recommend it very highly.

@tomtx
Hi. I had a stimulator implanted on January 15, 2026. I still have some procedure pain. BUT, where the unit is hurts all the time. Then middle of my back hurts. My amazing pain doctor said the neurosurgeon may have to move the unit? Every time I move, sit against anything, and try to sleep it hurts and is uncomfortable. Mine is a Boston Scientific though. I keep feeling like it’s me and I’m nervous about it. I’m so sorry you and others are having problems. I see the neurosurgeon in a week so I’ll have to tell them and see what they say.

Boston Scientific by chance?

@kmp1123 I have a Boston Scientific, too. I was told by one of their representatives that they never heard of anybody having pain in their back. Mine hurts as the unit starts to run down. too. I was told by one of their representatives that they never heard of anybody having pain in their back. Mine hurts as the battery starts to run down. The Pain now has expanded to several inches away from the battery. I'm back with my PAIN MANAGEMENT doctor trying to figure out what the heck is going on. If I lean against something like the car seat or the kitchen chair, it hurts more than.

I find it extremely frustrating that Boston Scientific is not more receptive to hearing about my situation. I have had my implant for numerous years.. my biggest complaint is no one listens.

First thing I want to say is, it is not normal to have “pocket pain” that long after the implant procedure. Most SCS batteries today are quite small units, and there normally is plenty of spaces in your body where this battery can be fitted in a somewhat “comfortable” way. You should most def have a discussions with your surgeon about ifeal placement for you, you must discuss where the implants fit best on your specific body. Everyone is different, especially us who are
in pain management. My point is that you may very well experience much pain right after the actual implant surgery. That is completely normal. And it is hyper important to folow the “no bend no twist no bearing down” for the first few weeks to ensure an optimal outcome. In my experience it takes between 4 to 8 weeks to heal enough for scar tissue around the implant and wires to form. And if your surgeon placed your battery in a sound spot you really should not
feel that much discomfort from
the pocket, the post op pain should not last more than 2-4 weeks. And I feeel that I know what I’m talking about, I have two implants (pain pump + an SCS) both sitting on my lower back /flanks on each side. I sleep on my back so I thought my days of sleeping on my back were numbered, but much to my surprise both implants have found their pocket and stays there making enough scar tissue for it hold it all in place. I only deal with the awful post op painfor some weeks. The pain pump was by far the most painful of the two,
it took me 2-3 months to feel better. But today I have very little pocket pain and I know this is because both implants were done by one of the best neurosurgeons
in the country. I wish everyone out there dealing with implants well,
it is not easy to adapt to these
implants but in my experience they become a part of you, or rather an extension of you. And pumps and stims can be life savers for so
many, it is just imperative to get it right the first time and avoid complications. If done right a stim or a pump can literally give you much of your life back so it is worth considering them.Just use the best surgeons if you have one available and near you
But today I hardly feel them
anymore unless I accidentally sleep right onto of my pump, which rarelt happens. My point is this:
make sure your surgereon who does your implant(s) is the moet
experienced doctor you can find placing this tech inside your body. An inexperienced surgeon might make many “small” errors which easily results in a bad outcomes; both post op pocket pain and lack of efficacy on the SCS itself comes from inexperience. So if you consider an SCS or any other tech for pain that needs an implant operation you must do whatever you can to get access to the best surgeon to do the job. When it is done correctly by a sound surgeon you are much more likely to have a successful result. It is not normal to deal with a lot of pocket pain. and complications down the line. I am
almost certain the issues you experience stem from mediocre work by an inexperienced surgeon uaing you as a guinea pig. If done right pocket pain should be a minimal issue, but if done wrong and when. your body rejects the implant then you are likely better off using less invasive treatments and sticking to oral medications.
These implants are pushed hard on us chronics, it doesn’t take long before you get a brochure from Abbott or the like..again, please make sure to see only the best and brightest surgeons in this field. There are far too many horror stories out there about medical malpractice causing much harm to many..so vet your surgeon and pain management doctor before you agree to a trial and then the actual implant. Take your time, be sceptical and make sure this implant is right for you. This tech is
certainly not for just anyone

@grannyzoo does your SCS relieve your pain?