Has anyone had the Stimwave spine stimulator installed?

Wow! I feel great now that I have found a place with information from real users of the Stimwave product. After 12 years of a progressively worsening pain problem in my right scapula that travels up my neck and into my head, I have exhausted the limits of my pain management team and my neurologist. So the new attempt is a suggestion to do a Stimwave test at $4,500. If the test works, the permanent is $30,000, all out of pocket. Money aside, my concern is whether this thing will work for what my Dr. has diagnosed as “Central Sensitization”. In short, I have an open nerve in my right scalp that sends a pain signal ALL of the time. I live on a low “10” pain score with meds, and usually a high “10”+ daily. All of the comments I have read center around more common, though very painful and serious, problems for which there seems to be some measure of treatment. There is nothing for this problem I have developed. There was no injury that caused it. It just started hurting one day and after the slightest strain like carrying a half gallon of milk 10’, the pain rockets off the scale instantly. So if anyone has any knowledge of how the Stimwave works for central sensitization at all, I would really appreciate it. I should mention that every measure of ablation and pain block did nothing! I really don’t want to throw away money as a test-patient. I read someone comment that they felt the company should pay for testing and I must agree. I’m also concerned about some of the comments about the battery. Once COVID is resolved I have to go back to traveling a lot not to mention cruising around the world. Does anyone have anything to offer. I would truly appreciate help. There is one doctor I heard on an NPR TED TALK named Elliot Krane that had success with one young girl, but those therapies have all failed for me.

Thank you for your your response - I also have rods and screws etc — the Stimwave test took away 90% of the pain but as I said it was painful mainly at the incision sites— so tell me if you feel any pain from the implant. I’m sure I will still go through with the implant and I’m so looking forward to feeling myself again — I live on a golf course and haven’t touched my clubs in 5 years! I just want to be able to walk without fear that my back will go out and leave me unable to move- fingers crossed that it works as well as yours. Merry Christmas and thanks so much

I am scheduled for a Stimwave test 2/22 in an attempt to fix really bad neck injury now arthritic, and also chronic lower back pain L4 to L6. I’m 71 and in good shape otherwise. I have been reading all of these positive and negative reviews and I would really like to hear more about living with this device, to be implanted in a crushed spinal nerve canal. Please tell me of your experiences with this product- from the implant procedure through living with it. I had a severe neck injury when I was 20, and lower back surgery in 1996. But it has become progressively more painful. I have been having epidurals in my back and neck every few months, and also RFA’s - as often as insurance will approve them, but they are no longer helping any longer than a month after the procedure. I’m tired of living on pain meds for the last 5 years and this is the doctor’s next solution. I have AARPUnited Healthcare PPO insurance, which has been great, and I recommend it strongly BTW. Thanks so much for any advice on this specific device.

@ws4k Wow, I feel your pain. But how much knowledge of this Stimwave SCS unit do you know?
Does it have parethesia? & How is it MRI or X-Ray Compatible?
Because there are different units that are not recommended for use in diagnostic testing I'm suffering from my Cervical, thoracic, & lower lumbar, DDD, & herniated discs all over. However my Husband just got a SCS implanted thru Nevro Senza HF10 that doesn't have parethesia. Charging takes 20min a day he uses a special belt w/clip on battery & 15-20 min he's fully charged.
This type of SCS implant is the only unit that can be shut off on your remote & activated back on after MRI'S or X-Rays. So before you get your permanent unit implant you may want to ask about this type of unit.
I wish you all the Best.
Stay strong & Healthy.

Thanks so much
I’m just in the beginning stages of learning about this device and procedure so I know almost nothing yet. I really appreciate your kindness in taking your time to explain your experience with it. Blessings

@ws4k Wow, I feel your pain. But how much knowledge of this Stimwave SCS unit do you know?
Does it have parethesia? & How is it MRI or X-Ray Compatible?
Because there are different units that are not recommended for use in diagnostic testing I'm suffering from my Cervical, thoracic, & lower lumbar, DDD, & herniated discs all over. However my Husband just got a SCS implanted thru Nevro Senza HF10 that doesn't have parethesia. Charging takes 20min a day he uses a special belt w/clip on battery & 15-20 min he's fully charged.
This type of SCS implant is the only unit that can be shut off on your remote & activated back on after MRI'S or X-Rays. So before you get your permanent unit implant you may want to ask about this type of unit.
I wish you all the Best.
Stay strong & Healthy.

I’m going to have the Stimwave implanted on March 2. This is MRI friendly. Battery is worn on the outside...on a belt. There are no laminectomies... no bone shaving. Day surgery! Will let you know after i have it done.
Recovery is fast... you must wait for scar tissue to form around the leads (the leads are tethered by the surgeon) to make them less likely to migrate. Ive done enough research.. Stimwave is the best for me.
I personally dont want to have a battery replaced every 5-7 years... not my idea of fun (think about it... having to have surgery every 5-7 years just to replace a battery...no way.). Everyone is different.