Has anyone tried the HF10 Spinal Cord Stimulation Device?

Hello @bobby55 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I understand you are interested in sharing your experience with others considering an implanted device.

Because of that, you will see that I have moved your post to an existing discussion on spinal cord devices to share your feedback with other members considering an implanted device.

Can I ask if you've shared your concern/discomfort with your surgeon and if there is anything you are hoping to have done about it?

I have had a follow up appointment and mentioned this issue, but I have no intentions of having it removed or replaced !
I just wanted them and possible to let others who may have this system fitted are aware and can discus to prevent issue for anyone else. Other than that I’m most happy with pain relief from my unit .

I guess I am surprised they did put it there - with your name and the word belt, presumably you are a male - men wear belts often, which makes it even more surprising to me! Someone wasn’t thinking ahead! Hope you have given them loud and clear feedback! I was asked what positions I most often am in at home i.e. I recline on couch with pillows often - what sleeping positions I preferred, which side, etc. It all seemed logical to me, so makes it more surprising that your belt and waist weren’t closely considered. That would indeed be annoying!

You sound like my twin in male form! I would like to share my stimulator experience.

I also have extensive hardware (C3-C7, T10-L5 fusions, hardware, Harrington rods) and suffering chronic pain since the 80's, plus Failed Back Syndrome. The trial for the SCS was agreed upon. I had it put in one morning in 2015 by a very experienced Neurosurgeon. That same evening I felt like I was getting electric shock all of a sudden- couldn't move, as it felt like I was burning from inside out from hands to chest to abdomen. Hubby called the doc's emergency number and he suggested I met him back at the hospital ER. Returned and could not lay flat for CT, screaming in agony. The CT was done on left side only due to that, and it showed that the "puck" part had migrated into the left Harrington rod and had caused a blood clot there. Neurosurgeon removed the SCS and removed the blood clot. If you have hardware on thoracic and/or upper lumbar region I DEFINITELY would not recommend the SCS trial... Horrible, horrible experience.

@metalneck Welcome back to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support. You have a lot of experience members can benefit from.

@donaldjames1 has had a similar experience to you and you would not recommend the SCS trial.

May I ask if you are also looking for particular information on Connect or looking to connect with members that have similar experience to you.

I had 2 implanted about 4 months ago it has helped with the back of my legs and slightly help with the spinal stenosis I have but I still have enough pain that I take tramadol and Tylenol

I had two foot surgeries, 2016 and 2018.and as a result the nerves were damaged and possibly scar tissue. As a result I have chronic pain in the toes of my right foot. I tried all traditional remedies with negative result. I was told by a doctor that perhaps SCS but be helpful. Late last spring I had the 5 day trial of Medtronic made by Boston Scientific.The pain from the implantation of the leads were very painful and may have camoflouged the pain in my toes. I was kind of talked into by the surgeon and the rep that the Medtronic has helped people with chronic foot pain and they in of pressured me to get a permanent put in. I I only got a slight relief from the pain in the toes and I think the device was causing back pain. So, about 7 or 8 weeks later I had it removed. After researching it. I don't think the Medtronic is effective for the feet. I am now talking to a doctor who does the DRG (dorsal root ganglion) made by Abbott. That is suppose to be more effective for the legs and possibly the feet which are controlled by L-5 and S-1. That's were the leads are suppose to be placed. But, the drawback as mentioned by earlier statements. MRI's only for the head and extremities. The generator/battery is supposed to be guarenteed for five years.

@martyk
I'd advise caution in proceeding further with the DRG until you read about @lorirenee1 Lori Renee's experience with hers (also from Abbott). She has written extensively about it this past 6 months or so. I believe she got hers back in July and has had poor performance from it. She has new pain now in different areas than she had originally and she believes it is from the DRG. Please do your research (or at least look for Lori's posts) before going ahead.

One more point I'd like to make along these lines, and what I am going to say is my own theory, which might be incorrect. I know that when I research something and read different reviews from people, I tend to find significantly more negative reviews than positive, I think because it is human nature to feel disposed toward writing a review if one is unhappy rather than if they are happy customers. And one may tend to get a view of something that is skewed to the downside because of this. It might be the case that in reality more people are helped by a thing than might be inferred by the preponderance of this more negative-leaning feedback. I guess my point is one should neither go forward full steam ahead or put on the brakes immediately based on reading a few reviews. I know my feeling about having a stimulator implanted (for my wife) is that she should NOT have one done and she feels the same, because it seems like what I have read about them on Connect is about 90% failures. But for someone who is seriously in need of a solution for their intolerable pain, it's best to read EVERYTHING you can get your hands on before deciding. Fortunately for my wife, she is not at a level of desperation that she feels the need of doing that much research, and she is very reticent to have any surgery for implantation of any such stimulator device.

Best, Hank

Thanks Hank. I read an article by a Jason M. Highsmith, M.D. who states that he does over 100 SCS surgeries stated SCS is useful in treating complex regional pain syndrome which is relatively uncommon for of chronic pain.
Patients with CRPS, SCS should be used soon after diagnosis because the success rates plummet if pain persists for more than a year. This is because the pain pathways become rewired in people who have CRPS for more than a year or two years, making it harder to reverse the condition. Marty

I'm interested in Stimwave SCS too. The battery is not implanted. It's worn out side of your body,.I heard you have to take it off before showering and swimming. Marty