Medtronics Spinal Cord Stimulators: Intellis

Posted by @EDiesel472 @ediesel472, Jun 3 4:03pm

I'm set to get the Medtronic Intellis Pro but I'm nervous because of people stating that it doesn't help, gets dislodged, they don't understand how to use it, etc. I have fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, and spinal radiculopathy. I also have MS. I get thrown between Pain Medicine Specialist, Orthopedic Surgeons, Neurology, and Family Medicine. My back negatively impacts my legs to the point that it's unnerving and makes me want to pull my hair out. Pain meds don't last long in my system and I think I've become immune to them since I've been on them so long. It seems they just want to have me do this Spinal Cord Stimulator: Intellis Pro by Medtronics just to get me out of the way. I've already had major back surgery and I need another one but since the first one has caused me so many issues, I dare not! Can anyone tell me your take on this particular SCS? I'm interested in who has or has had the Medtronics ones.

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | 6 days ago

In reply to @caregeraci15 "@heisenberg34 do the gummies help with your pain? Do you take an opioid?" + (show)

@caregeraci15 They really help me to have a good nights sleep. One of them helps to mitigate the pain a little bit(along with my other meds).

debraandmurphy | @debraandmurphy | 4 days ago

I’d like to help you, but I am also looking for this information as I don’t know anybody that has actually tried it before, but I am very interested in having it done for my spine.

Anybody have any information out there?

lpockat | @lpockat | 4 days ago

I've had the Medtronic stimulator for about 3 years, and so far I have had a lot of relief from it. There are multiple settings, and it can take a while to find the best one for you. Mine was working great, but when I had three fractures in my vertebrea, I did have to find a new setting because of the shifting of everything in there. I just switched to a new setting 2 weeks ago, and my pain is at least 70% less. I am 72, and have had a major back surgery, PT, injections, and was in tears most of every day with the frustration of wanting to do things, and having so much pain. From all the years of not using those muscles, about 15 years, along with my age, I do get a very tired, achy back yet, but after sitting for a bit, or laying down, letting it rest, I can usually get up and do a few more things before I need another rest. I have a cage around the bottom of my spine, things between each vertebrae, and the surgery was done through the front and the back! I also have a 20 degree S curve at the bottom of my spine, plus now lots of arthritis, partly from having the surgery. I know that things can change at any time, but I'm happy for the okay days I've been given. The Dr. always reminds me that my age is against me, and the device isn't healing me, it's hiding the pain. Good luck to all dealing with so much pain. I feel lucky that I've found some relief for the time being.

caregeraci15 | @caregeraci15 | 4 days ago

In reply to @heisenberg34 "@caregeraci15 Thanks for your response. I am at the end of my rope with this pain..." + (show)

@heisenberg34 I'm sorry your pain pump didn't work and you have to get it removed. An 8 on the pain scale so I know you're in a lot of pain. That bolus sounds amazing. To be nearly pain free for awhile is unheard of! I hope you find something to lower your pain back down to a 2. Do you use gummies or medical marijuana? I want to try them. I don't think the SCS will work for me because epidural injections never did. I hope you find some kind of relief. An 8 is not acceptable.

caregeraci15 | @caregeraci15 | 3 days ago

In reply to @ladonnai "@caregeraci15 ...Hi, sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I'll start with the prescribed pain..." + (show)

@ladonnai

@caregeraci15 ...Hi, sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I'll start with the prescribed pain meds I currently take.....tramadol (synthetic opioid) 50 mg, every 6 hrs.; pregabalin (lyrica) 200 mg. split into 3 doses through out day; methocarbamol (robaxin) 750 mg taken 2x at night only as it is a muscle relaxant; zolpidem (ambien) 10 mg, split into 2 doses at night (this, along with the methocarbamol is the only way I get to sleep). I never took opioids due to an allergic response to them. One over the counter supplement I take is ALA-alpha lipoic acid, it helps me with neuropathy pain, 1200 mg per day, split into doses every 6 hrs. I also apply a lotion called Cool Sombra, it helps reduce some of the burning at least temporarily.
My neuropathy pain is from the waist down, thru buttocks, and down both legs all the way to both feet. It's a 24/7 burning, achy, prickly pain, that makes it hard to sit, stand or lay down, there's no ''position of comfort''. Anytime my neuropathies are touched/compressed, they are not happy, it makes it hard to wear shoes, sox, long pants, etc. All my senses are amplified, due to the length of time I've had chronic pain....since March 2015. This is due to an overwhelmed, reactive brain that never gets REST. Another thing that contributes to the brain's reactivity is called ''central sensitization''....research it, it's worth a read!
My doctors and insurance said a trial of SCS was mandatory, due to the expense. I trialed nevro (did nothing) and boston scientific...I didn't think it was doing anything, but when they took it out, I noticed my pain going up. My pain prior to SCS was to the point that I didn't want to live, but suicide was not an option for me). I thought I would lose my mind. So, the SCS reduced the pain maybe 30-35%, not the 50% I'd hoped for. But to be honest, how does one really access the % of pain!? So, I'm okay with having done the scs and a peripheral implant (for buttock pain), because ANY reduction of pain must be done to keep your sanity. Pain changed my life, the implants didn't. I had to give up the outdoor lifestyle I cherished...backpacking, hiking, camping, biking, kayaking.....it's disappointing. I don't go to restaurants, social events, concerts, movies, etc., because it's too painful to sit. When I do sit, I sit on ice to numb the pain. And due to my age, 74, I have noticed that my L3-4 fusion is painful above and below the vertebrae that were fused and the laminectomy done on the T 9-10 vertebrae is painful, not allowing for much bending over...it's basically a ''failing spine'' due to trauma and age, a domino affect. I won't have the SCS or peripheral implants taken out, because that would inflict more trauma on the already tick off spine and neuropathies. It's a case of really not having ''good days'', it's just ''less bad'' days at this point in my journey.
Also, research the topic ''pain brain'' or ''how does chronic pain affect your brain''. A pain brain contributes to imbalance issues, memory loss, anxiety, etc.
What do I avoid at this point....don't bend over, this triggers more pain for me (I'm a gardener, so it's hard not to bend). Avoid sugar like the plague, it lights up my neuropathies big time. Avoid stress (yeah right)...if you don't feel like hosting, then don't host a party, whatever. Avoid wearing clothing that compress your nerves and cut off circulation!!!
What do I do to keep my sanity? I go on a WALK daily, if at all possible. I have to get out in the nature that I love, it's calming, I see ppl on our walking path that have become friends (a little community). I do light weight lifting, alternating upper extremities with lower extremities. You HAVE to keep your strength up, keep your joints moving, get your blood circulating around those angry nerves. Hug on your loved ones and your fur babies!!!
So, I hope I touched on your questions. It IS a tough decision to get any transplant, spinal cord or peripheral, but you get to the point that you have to try something. I'm really disappointed that big pharma hasn't come up with any NEW and IMPROVED drugs to combat pain...get that research done guys. God bless you!

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@ladonnai thank you for the comprehensive explanation of your pain, where it is and how you treat it. I understand your limitations as I have them too. I imagine everyone who has chronic pain has
limitations. Tramadol never worked for me. I've just started Lyrica and haven't noticed any difference yet if at all. I failed 2 epidural injections so I wonder if the SCS would work for me. What I'm saying is with a normal meylogram of my spine and surgery to put a cage on L4L5 that didn't help with my pain I doubt that the SCS would help me but I don't know. I'll leave that up to my new pain specialist to decide. Finally I'm with you. Why haven't they come up with new and improved pain meds? Maybe there's not much money to be had in pain meds? Take care and continued hope for better pain management!