Has anyone had the Stimwave spine stimulator installed?

Yes. I had it installed bilateral for my sacroiliac. In the trial I had problems as they thought I overstimulated the area. When they removed it, even though the tape was on securely, one wire had migrated. I did not get to evaluate it due to that issue. In Europe they implant it not just superficially through your skin.
I decided to get it implanted as I was willing to get off some medication.
First it didn’t seem to be helping then they changed the program. Then it was alarming frequently.
You normally only need one external antenna but because I’m small and don’t have much adipose tissue in in my buttock I need two. First had only one stimulator with a T connection but others besides me were having trouble with it so they gave me two controllers. It was the T connection loosing up. It looks look like I have two grenades on my body and clumsy.
Next they had no pouch for carrying these 2 antennas and 2 controllers so they ordered them off Amazon. They didn’t work well as they bent the one antenna ( they were for music)
Now I can feel the wires under my skin and they think they have migrated. Unfortunately I’m traveling and have to wait till I return to Tucson to get everything checked out.
I’m extremely active and can’t wear the device hiking, backpacking, kayaking or paddle boarding ( not waterproof). My pants rub on the area where the wires are located.
I have to charge the batteries frequently so this system needs improvement.
This system is not the right fit for someone active and the wires migrate, not just for me but others.
I’m planning on having it removed.

It might have worked 2 days before the wire migrated because I was only allowed to take short walks.
Once I started biking and being fully active it didn’t help.
I didn’t have much time to evaluate the pain relief during the trial. I wanted another trial but the doctor said the insurance would not pay for it.

My mother is 75 years young, and has many issues with her back. she's had two aneurysm surgeries - one aortic and the later was abdominal. The second surgery took a toll on her, all the way around. Her back is in constant pain, she has a very hard time with balance that leads her to falls. That has created more problems, such as a fracture and then a broken collar bone. This pain has been ongoing for well over a year, almost two. She has had many epidurals, several thoracic nerve blocks, and has tried numerous otc pain medications as well as prescription. Nothing has helped her chronic pain. To read her MRI results and other scans, her back basically looks like a train wreck. from bulging discs to mild/moderate stenosis, multilevel degenerative changes, diffuse disc bulge facet joint ......
any thought as to wether or not this method of treatment (stimwave) would be of help for my mother?
i feel so helpless with her being in so much constant pain. i want her to enjoy her retirement years! but as of now, she has yet to enjoy much of anything at all!!
thankyou in advance for your time in reading, and giving any opinions or advice ....

Hi Jules, I know what you mean about feeling so helpless. When my mom was suffering from mobility issues, it was hard to see. She was otherwise so young. i'm grateful her painful bunion issue was resolved and she has her mobility and joy back. But that's not your mom's issue.

So, I moved your post to this existing discussion about the StimWave started by @ws4k where you can read the experiences of others like @celinec @martyk @texasaviatrix @sprinrosa64 and more. Please scroll through the past comments to read more.

You might also appreciate @donw200's story here:
- Stimwave user here: What's been your experience? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stimwave-user-here/

@jenniferhunter may also have some thoughts to share with you.

Jules, has her doctor suggested that a spinal stimulator could help?

Jules, perhaps you and your mother should talk to your mother's pain management doctor(s) to see if she is a candidate for a pain pump.

I have Stimwave and it STOPS the pain for which it is used!

And I have no problem wearing the external device. I did though have to make my own “belt” to wear it as what I was given did not seem to be made for the device I was given. And their users manual reads more like a sales manual.

But the device itself really works well for me.

I have two battery packs. I wear one 24 hours and leave the other charging. Much easier than it sounds if one has implanted battery, having to sit with charger for an extended time.And I will not have to have additional surgery in future to change an implanted battery.

I am having ablation today , a follow up to facet injections that have been of some help.
I am set of for the SCS in the event this procedure is not sufficient.
These remarks ore difficult to read, and I question the totality of the content.
My spine surgeon recommends further surgery (a rod and screws) while pain management has recommended the track that I am now on.
There is clearly some risk with the SSC; is a informed choice to be made, after careful evaluation.
Previous procedures are clearly an issue as pointed out in these responses.
One should clearly understand the goal involved; mitigation vs. cure. Seen nirvana will likely result only in more procedures, and failure.

Hello, did you ever have a SCS (spinal cord stimulator) installed, i.e. Stimwave, Nevro, etc.? If so did they help significantly reduce the pain? Thanks

So sorry that your mother suffers so much pain. I also have low back pain and have not had pain relief from a Medtronic stimulator. My physician is reducing my Vicodin to zero and I am using only gabapentin, which does not help with pain. Is your mother able to use Vicodin or other pain meds? Have her physicians stopped her pain meds? Has she had relief from steroid injections or a pain pack?

How are you doing with it?
Does it matter which brand you get?
I'm in the dark about all this & I am suppose to get the Boston Science one.