Has anyone had the Stimwave spine stimulator installed?

Hello @carolynbeers and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am glad you joined this discussion to get support from others. I can see that @newstimwaveuser has already responded with some really helpful information and and offer to provide you with more information, should you need it.

Will you come back and given an update once you meet with your doctor to discuss the Stimwave device?

Sure.

You could try Princeton Pain Mgmt on Witherspoon in Princeton. Dr. Abramov is wonderful. I have since moved to Florida, had a Stimwave PNS implanted, however the doctor put the periferal into my spinal canal along with a PNS. I have never been in so much pain or had so many problems, I wish I had never done it and am having it removed. However I attribute this to doctor error.

Thank you! Sorry to hear that it didn't work for you.

Hi celinec, I located a pain management Dr. Ronan Abramov, in Plainsboro , New Jersey right outside of Princeton. Princeton Pain Management. Is he the same doctor you recommended? Can you tell me where your pain is (was) and what did Dr. Abramov do to help you? Thanks, Marty

Hi @martyk yes that is the doctor. I sadly didn’t have enough time with him for a diagnosis before we moved. However unlike the doctors here in Florida he was actually trying to get to the “root of the problem”. The pain was in my back (cervical, thoracic, lumbar), along with horrible muscle spasms in my legs. All of this started after I somehow contracted parvovirus as an adult. Six years later and I’m now ten times worse. I should’ve stayed in NJ! I also should say I trusted Dr. Abramov and also liked him, he really does care about you.

Thank you.

I had a friend who tried the implanted stimulator after many surgeries and it didn't go well for him . To make a long story short, he hemorhaged from stomach problems of some kind, became paralyzed, lived on pain meds and some attempted physical therapy and died after home care for a a spell. He had 13 surgeries, including shoulders, besides the spinal procedures. It was too much for his body.
It would be an individual decision as to what is best to try in each case. I am not that ambitious to try much new in my case. I live with some pain and tightening, and can't walk very far at one time. I can still take care of myself and do limited gardening. It is enough for me.
Dorisena

I had the StimWave implanted for over one year. I am contemplating removal because it doesn't work for me, although it worked somewhat during the trial period. I am considering neck surgery and one of my pain management professionals suggested I might want to leave the implant because it might help during my recovery period from surgery.

Hello @lhs and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Did you doctor mention why it may have worked better for you during the trial period? Other members have shared that feedback before too.