SPR Peripheral Nerve Stimulator (SPRINT)

@katec Hi, I also had a DRG spinal cord stimulator that I tried for 5 months, and then gave up, because it did nothing to help my severe foot pain from Neuropathy. Not only that, but when I turned off the machine, I started burning and hurting from the waist down. Weeks before I shut off the machine, I started feeling electricity running through me, and it felt very uncomfortable. I also had Scrambler (Calmare) electric therapy that did not help, either. I heard a well known CRPS pain doctor say to stay away from all spinal cord stimulators. I wish I could remember his name, but I cannot. He practices in Massachusetts. I finally found pain relief from Benfotiamine (vitamin B2; thiamine.) Anyway, I would try to find a real blog on the SPRINT device, of real people who have experienced it. Don't read testimonials connected to the advertising of it, as that is not without bias. Try to find real data, real people, to make an informed decision. You can also go to the FDA website, and see if there are negative reports about it. I reported my DRG stimulator to the FDA, as it worsened my pain, and I felt electricity that I should not have felt. Deciding on a spinal cord stimulator is serious business. I do like the fact that SPRINT is only for 60 days, but find out if your son can get an MRI with it in him. My best to you. Not an easy decision. LoriRenee1 Lori

Hi Kate, I thought I would tag @grannyzoo and @mamullen7 who have discussed the SPRINT stimulator in another discussion and may have some information to share. It is a difficult decision to make. Hope you can let us know how it goes if you decide to give a try.

Hi Lori, thanks so much for your input, I really appreciate it! It’s a lonely space out there when it comes to making decisions about a condition that doctors know very little about and have been unsuccessful treating! I will do a thorough check of this procedure if we move forward. I really like the pain dr we are working with as he is low pressure and all about informing us of the options and the pros and cons to each. He answers my phone calls (happily 🤣) when I call asking a question that my son has asked and is no pressure! This stimulator is different since it’s placed above the knee and not directly into the spinal cord so that makes me feel a bit better about it. It is entirely my sons decision as he’s old enough now to decide what he wants to do with his body. We looked into Calmare therapy this summer and spoke to a dr in FL about it (extremely nice man) but ultimately decided against it since my son hasn’t responded well to anything electrical and the word “Scrambler” completely freaked him out. The de said it’s geared mainly towards CRPS patients but has seen some success with SFN but a low percentage. So far my sins SFN has been untouchable by anything we’ve tried so I didn’t want to put him through that treatment with such a low success rate. Anyway, I’m hoping now that school has started up again and he’s having to walk the halls (painfully) he may consider the Sprint device as an option.

I’ve never heard of the Benfotiamine you mentioned. I’d be willing to give that a try even though his SFN isn’t because of diabetes/sugar, just maybe he’d see some relief!! What dose do you take? I noticed it comes in 100, 200, 300mg. I’ll definitely do more research on it! A supplement always sounds better than meds or devices!!!!

Thank you again for all the info, I’m so grateful for it!

Kate

@johnbishop

Thank you so much John! I’d love to hear anything additional about it. It’s interesting because it’s placed above the knee and not the spinal cord and is only for 60 days. Nothing else we’ve ever tried has helped him, but with school starting up and him having to walk the halls, we need to always keep the search vigilant for some relief!

Thank you!

Kate, here are a couple sites you might find helpful.

-- Sprint Pain Nerve Stimulation (PNS) System Videos: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/sprint-pns-system
-- Am I a Candidate for Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS)?: https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/patient/peripheral-nerve-stimulation-pns-chronic-pain-relief

I’ll look through those tonight, thank you so much!!

@katec Hi Kate, I like the fact that the SPRINT is not implanted and is only for a certain number of days. It really sounds less potentially dangerous, and that is good. I am happy you will look into it extensively. As far as the Benfotiamine, I learned about it right here, in the Neuropathy group. Benfotiamine is a fat soluble form of thiamine that is much more bio available than plain thiamine (vitamin B1). I gave it a try, and within 48 hours, my foot nerve pain went down considerably. Many hours of the day, I am pain free. I take two pills a day, 300mg. each, and buy Best Vite Benfotiamine on Amazon. I heard that it can take up to one month to work, and a person can take up to 1,000 mg. a day. I assume I was low in thiamine due to having a breast tumor three years ago. Cancer can lower thiamine levels. Benfotiamine has been like a miracle for me. I buy it on Amazon. I have been on every med available for neuropathy, and nothing worked at all. That includes Cymbalta, Lyrica, Gabapentin, Tramadol, Duloxetine. Low Dose Naltrexone, and some old time anti depressants I cannot remember the name of. If you have questions, get back to me. My best to your son; too young to be dealing with this, for sure. LoriRenee1 Lori

Hi Cathy @mcd123, I thought I would tag you in this current discussion on the Sprint device so that you can meet @katec and @lorirenee1 who have been discussing the device. You might want to scroll to the top of the discussion and read what has been shared so far and ask any questions you might have.

I have to say I wouldn’t do the stimulator I have the spinal implant at 17 teen years old
That’s to much of a gamble for the little guy I tried it all and I take Gabapentin as well
4500 mg’s a day I have hereditary idiopathic Neuropathy and spinal Arachnoiditis the more cutting the doctors do the more scar tissue you get those nerves our hard to heal once cut and sometimes never do . Plain old THC and CBD oil is route I’d shoot for . Look for a holistic healing place in your town your state first . SURGERY LAST RESORT !!

Katec your welcome to pm me to talk more I’m even to open to talk to you on the phone as well . Hang I’m there regards
Chris AKA BlackSabbath 😁