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 Lori, I see you had the DRG for 5 months. I'm scheduled to have one on Oct. 14th for chronic pain in my toes from 2 surgeries. You must have tried the trial DRG 5 to 7 days before you had the permanent one implanted. How much relief to you get from the trial to go foward with the permanent implant? Thanks, Marty

Marty, I got about 3 days of 50% relief. This was clearly not enough to do the permanent implant. I really do think I needed more like 7 out of 10 days with at least 60 or 70% relief, but I was desperate to feel better. Now I have a battery and leads still inside me, with the DRG shut off.
You should aim for a 10 day trial, with at least 7 successful days, or you really don't have enough data. Good luck, Lori

Lori, I had a SCS made by Boston Scientific implanted last year. I had a five day trial. I got a little relief from my chronic foot pain. The doctor and the company rep convinced me that I got more relief. So, I went ahead with the permanent one.
I only had a slight relief from the pain. So I had it removed 2 months later. I've been told that the DRG made by Abbott is better targeting feet and lower extremities. I spoke with 4 patients who had the DRG and they all said that it was very helpful lowering their pain. I've tried so may modalities and nothing has helped. Looks like I'll give the DRG trial a go. Thanks, Marty

Hi again, Marty, My best to you with your DRG trial. Please do get enough data to make a rational decision. Like I told you, I really did not get enough positive results during the trial, but did it anyway. The days I did get results that were good were a blessing. I remember waiting to talk to my pain doctor and being able to keep my feet on the ground. Previously, I needed my feet elevated all the time to not be in agony. I think this was most striking in wanting to go ahead and get the permanent one. My doctor told me to just leave the machine inside of me, and not have a surgical risk. I think it is awesome that you have found people who have had good results. This is encouraging. I think it is so important to find real people, with real results. Anyway, I hope you do very well. Lori

Thank you Lori. My lower back besides my right foot are very sore. I had an RFA for the lower back three weeks ago. It didn't help. I'm going to meet with the doctor's APN-BC on Thursday. She will want to know the result of the RFA. I'm going to ask her when I have the DRG done if he the doctor, could target the right foot (toes) and the lower back in the same procedure.

Marty, I have heard a real mixed bag about RFA. I have even heard it can make nerve pain worse. Everyone is different in how they react to all these treatments. I don't know if both the right toes and lower back can be both targeted, but I certainly hope so! That would be wonderful! Use your own judgement about how the trial is working. You might even want to take some notes on each day of the trial to help you make a decision. My trial was so odd. I would say for the first 6 days of the trial, I got no relief at all. Then on about day 7, I noticed improvement that lasted days 7-9. At day 10, I really would have liked a few more trial days, but my pain doctor said that I would risk infection. Therefore, on day 10, I had the trial battery and leads removed. The ABBOTT rep and doctor seemed happy with about a 50% relief of pain for about 3 days, so I did the real installation of battery and leads. I literally must have had it adjusted 25 times in the 5 months I tried it, and finally gave up. You will have to keep me informed how you are doing. You are tough, to have gone through the procedures that you have already had! Also, I would remind your doctor that you want the DRG to help lower back and right toes. They are really busy people, and it wouldn't hurt to help them think!!!! Best regards, Lori