Has anyone tried the HF10 Spinal Cord Stimulation Device?

That's a good question. We've gone through all the vitamin, pain meds, acupuncture, laser massages, caudal nerve blocks, pudendal nerve blocks, MRIs, X-Rays, etc. treatments to find relief or source of the problem but so far come up with nothing. From other research that I've done I'm leaning towards nerve entrapment as being the possible cause of my wife's pain. There are a lot of articles referencing PNE or Pudendal Nerve Entrapment as a cause of this pain. It is quite common and there are clinics around the country who treat such conditions. In these cases the cure is to remove the entrapment source which usually is a muscle tightening up and causing pressure on the pudendal nerve. The symptoms of PNE are exactly like what my wife has. However, most doctors are not supportive of this.

I was told by a Physical Therapist that pain due to a torn rotator cuff and then scar tissue entrapping a nerve is common. So I'm still leaning in the direction of PNE. We are also looking into inversion tables which can stretch the spinal column such that if there is an entrapped nerve this possibly will help the condition. As we age the body and muscles starts to shrink which can put undue pressure on nerves, spinal areas, etc..

Another pain doctor says that the source of PNE is at the spinal column (root of the nerve) and wants to do a spinal injection of a steroid to see if this gives some relief. However, this is not a permanent solution and would have to be repeated continuously over time. While we may try this I will still try to find a solution rather than using meds which only gives temporary relief.

I myself have had in the past excruciating lower back pain. It was like someone stuck an ice pick in my spinal column. Doctors prescribed pain meds and muscle relaxers but neither gave one bit of relief. I read about simple muscle stretching exercises in this area, tried it during an episode, and it worked like a miracle. Apparently what happens is if these muscles tighten from exercise, working, or whatever they will put pressure on the nerves and cause pain so bad you can't move. Whether this is due to entrapment or compression of the spinal column I don't know but stretching works for me. I told friends that I would rather pass two kidney stones then have this lower back pain.:):) I also totally relieved pain in my hip and knee areas using simple stretching routines. So for my condition stretching certain muscle groups has been the solution. But it won't work for all nerve pain conditions such as arthritic conditions where you have bone on bone conditions.

Thank you for your response and input. I am sorry for your wife’s pain. I read your other message and see that you and your wife have been through the mill. I am still undecided about a spinal cord stimulator. I am trying to connect with someone with arm and hand pain who has been helped by the Nevro device. The website below talks of a study of patients with neck and arm pain who had good results with the Nevro HF10. I don’t know anything more about it other than what I’ve read here. One question I have is how many patients were in the trial. It only states that 47 patients had the devices implanted.

To me 47 patients in the trial to me is an very low number to make any kind of statistical conclusions about its effectiveness. However, even with this low number I would question the manufacturer and those conducting the trial as to ALL of the negative side effects. In our case neither of the two companies who were contenders for the implant would provide me with this information. I had to find this information with extensive research on the Internet and then with a neighbor down the street from us who became paralyzed as a result of this procedure. Then a doctor at the Mayo Clinic filled us in on the other negatives of this procedure.

I have a friend who currently is suffering from arm pain and tremors. So far meds has been his only treatment/solution. I suspect (but can't confirm) that this may have resulted from nerve entrapment since he for years was engaged in intense weight lifting to bulk up his arms/chest. He also has rotator cuff issues so I suspect (but can't confirm) this was another affected of his weight lifting activities. While I'm no expert nerve entrapment makes a lot of sense to me and it can easily occur if we don't take care of our muscular/nerve/spinal system. I'm all for finding the source of an issue if it can be found with today's technology. The second problem is finding a doctor who will spend sufficient time in this area to see if indeed this is the source of the pain you are experiencing.

Hello, I am John W.~ 59 ~ Male and I'm about to try one out! I have had 6 neck surgeries neck fused, plated, back fused, plated, Clavicle plated, 2 shoulder surgeries, 2 Carpal Surgeries, I know.....I continually suffer from shoulder, elbow, arm and hand pain. at this point, pain relief is a distant dream. I asked the Same Question, "Will it help my Arm and hand" , and the Dr. Replied, "It actually was designed to help the arm and hand:? I go back in on the 18th, and will let you know if I learn anything new!

@papawheelie Thanks for your response. I’m so sorry you have been through so many surgeries. You sound like you may be a good candidate for a spinal cord stimulator. I would like very much to hear how you make out.

After nearly a year I’m going to see the doctor who recommended a scs and will decide if I will go ahead with a trial. I don’t want to go ahead with the surgery if the doctor is not confident that it will help me. I’ll let you know if I do have a trial.

Dr. Forest Tennant in CA who has been doing research and treatment to many individuals with. Arachnoititis says do not do stimulator unless all preventive care has been tried first. He is now 78 but he still help you with his ideas of preventing our disease from progressing.. He has helped me and his method is out of the box which is what you need to do. Get proactive! Don

Hi. I’ve never had the stimulator for pain but I have one for my bladder. I’m having back surgery soon and also getting the stimulator. It works for the bladder so hopefully it will for pain. Good luck

Thanks for asking about this When I had knee replacement surgery I was required to see the pain specialists at that hospital because I survive on pain meds and couldn't go off them prior to surgery which was one of their requirements. They recommend something like you asked about. I don't remember the name. I felt like I was dealing with aggressive car dealers and didn't probably give them a fair opportunity.

I asked a pain doctor about a Medtronic pain device I read about for my phantom pain some years back but he said as long as I can manage with the pain meds I wouldn't want to put a foreign device into my body.

I do ok on the meds but I am always tired and I think they effect my brain/memory. But that might be Aging or something else.

I am sorry I don't have an answer. I am hoping others will contribute to the conversation.

@sallymagint First, Sally, I am so sorry what you have gone through. I cannot even imagine. Just too much. I have severe neuropathy in my feet, and I go to a new pain doc. He upped my Duloxetine, which is helping a lot, but I still hurt. In about a week, I will try low dose naltrexone. After these two changes, I am contemplating a Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulator, but I know definitely, that you cannot get an MRI if you need one. I really am scared of this, so I am hoping my drug changes help. Thank you so much for letting me know your story with the implanted stimulators. Getting one will be my very last choice. God bless. Thanks for sharing. Lori Renee

A couple years ago I decided on a scs, Boston scientific. Trial was with one type device, went well but trial was only for a few days. I had the Boston Scientific with paddle leads placed. No relief in the area I had back pain. After many adjustments and a year later, I had the thing removed. It may help some but I’ve heard of more people having it removed, unsatisfied with the lack of pain control expected. Just because it didn’t work out for me doesn’t mean it won’t for you. Personally, I think it’s more about the company making money and the doctor more than willing to place them.