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Spinal cord stimulation: Will Nevro help when Medtronic didn't?
Hi there,
Need your input.
I am 53 and suffer badly from chronic back and nerve pain in my feet, calf, etc. spinal stenosis, arthritis and severe disc degeneration. Basically need new spine with better cartidge. I have had 3 spinal fusions - 2005, 2011 and 2019 (L3-S1 & C5 - C7). Now issues with bone spurs pressing on sciatic nerve and continued disc generation and vertebrae movement above L3. No neuropathy thankfully.
Tried Medtronic trial did not work. Headed to my Dr on 6/2 in Boston to meet him and the Nevro rep. So badly need relief “gabapentin” not doing it. Please share if you could your results on Nevro. I am at a loss as my Dr does not want to do surgery as its very complicated last resort. My posture is terrible as well.
Thank you, very much appreciated.
Andrea
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I'm still waiting for the Covid to be over as they consider it elective surgery. After the trial I had, I'm ready for the real installation. I had my ITP (Intrathecal Pump) filled Friday. Doctor said he has several such surgeries waiting, but with the virus everyone will have to wait.
My pain dr mentioned a pain pump , is that not working for you? And that’s why your going with stimulator? Any info on pain pump you can share from your experience
I understand that I am odd, having both Nerve and Muscular skeletal types of pain. The Medtronic ITP (Intrathecal Pump) does not do much for me. It helps with the burning, but not at all for the shooting pain. I also take oral medications. I am so ready for the Nevro Spinal stimulator as during the trial it was the best I have felt in years.
I talked to a patient that swears by the Medtronic ITP. Did not work for me. Or not well.
Hello all! First time post! The talk about spinal cord stimulaters interested me. I've had a Nevro unit for about 5 years now and I've been very happy with it! I suffer from spinal stenosis, DDD, ankolyzing spondolitis (sp?) etc. I probably get 40 to 50% relief from it, which is good 👍! Also take lots of oral meds including dilaudid. Starting the long acting dilaudid today! Very hopeful it will restore some quality of life for me. Sincere prayers and best wishes to all!
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3 ReactionsDo you mind sharing what the scar tissue is from?
I'm sure hoping the removal of a stimulator will not leave a bunch of scar tissue behind!.
Are you talking about being someone with an implant?
I moved from CA to FL recently, if so and I know exactly what you mean.
I went to this local neuropain instutitue that my pcp referred me to because I wanted an MRI because I'm in all this pain?
I only mentioned the pain and asked for an MRI to see if there might be something to be seen, I didn't say anything about the implant....but WOW.
The first thing the guy said is, "There is no local surgeon who will touch you with that implant there from California."
I was shocked. What if that surgeon dies? I had not even asked them to do anything with the implant specifically
So I'm supposed to go to California every time I need anything? I had to beg the man to order the MRI, I told him the truth, the pain has gotten so bad that I'm afraid I might have carcinoma or something. He finally said, "OK I'll order it but it's for diagnostic purposes only. Whatever we find, we're not going to do anything about here because you have that implant." I'm paraphrasing a little but not much. It was ridiculous
That sounds very odd to me, also! No idea of the specifics, but I would be getting another opinion! From a different doctor!
I had my Nevro H10 implanted late December of 18 for chronic upper stomach pain. From February through early June it worked GREAT! Pain was gone for first time in years. Then suddenly in mid June the setting stopped working. It's been almost 21 months since then and they cannot capture the setting that works. We are actually back to trying the "original" setting that worked, but after a week I had to go down a light as it was making me worse. Still not feeling well but have to stay on this for a few more days. I have also spent a year seeing all kinds of specialists, GI's, Heart, Neurologists, Vascular Dr, Chiropractors, acupuncture. The pain has become more nausea than pain and has been constant every day for last 4 months. 75% of the time Hydrocone will help, but not always. I am headed to the Mayo Clinic in October since nobody can figure what is causing my issues. It's almost impossible to live with. Next week I'm having a Splanchnic Nerve Block procedure just to see if I can get some temporary relief and make a trip I need to go on Oct 8. It's a horrible way to live and the NEVRO people are baffled. The technicians originally thought the wire in my spine had moved, but the Dr that did the surgery disagreed. Also, I had been on Gabapentin since the surgery. I don't know if it helped at all, but it did make my weight go from 250 to 306, so I insisted he switch my med. The Doctor put me on Trokendi. He said it would help me lose weight. I took it for a month but it made my stomach worse so I stopped. I lost 20 pounds, but the withdrawal was one of the worst things I've ever been through. I was sick for 22 days and developed Neuropathy in my feet that cased nerve damage. I am now struggling with that pain in addition to my stomach. Being treated by a Neurologist for my nerve damage in feet with Sanexas machine. I pray the shot works next week and that the Mayo can find the issue. Cannot live like this on a daily basis.
@trip17 My heart goes out to you. Please keep us posted and reach out any time you need support or to vent.
That sounds miserable. Hoping Mayo can figure it out for you. 🙏 As many of us know, chronic pain is NO picnic.