Peripheral nerve stimulators

I had a SCS stimulator spinal cord stimulator implant mine was the paddle type not just the 2 leads it covered my entire back , neck all the way down to both legs and feet . Mine came loose after 8 months I wouldn’t recommend an implant . Find you a good pain clinic that knows your situation ‘ what your diagnosis actually is a let them tailor your needs for the pain . I was lucky enough to find one in my hometown that knows what PN , SFN, and Spinal Arachnoiditis is and how it will cripple you even more with surgeries and messing around with your spinal cord . The stimulator I had you couldn’t get MRI’’s head only . I didn’t like that at all . X-rays don’t show all and you can’t get MRI’s with Stimulator next move is to insert needle in your back shoot die in your spinal cord big no!!!! no !!!! With Arachnoiditis
does more damage to your already delicate situation. Be an advocate for your own health
look up what there trying to do to you and see the side effects and your condition the do’s and don’t best advice I can give you know what your getting into before you do it with pandemic still going strong if you have a problem it might take awhile to get it resolved
especially surgery to reverse your situation
good luck

I had a SCS (Boston Scientific) implanted about a year and a half ago. I only got slight relief from foot pain. I didn't like the pararthesia, so I had it removed 2 months later. It was the type that had to be recharged every day for about 30 to 40 minutes.
I am considering another type made by Abbott Industries. It's called DRG (dorsal root ganglion). It doesn't need to be recharged. They claim the battery, generator that is implanted lasts for about 5 to 7 years before it needs to be replaced. Plus they say there is no parathesia. My problem is in the toes of my foot. I had 2 surgeries on a couple of toes leaving painful surgical scar tissue and nerve damage. I spoke with three former patients who had foot or leg pain and they said they got significant relief from the DRG.
Please let us know if you choose the Stimwave and if it has helped.

@martyk I have the DRG stimulator implanted in me, but it has been turned off for about a year. It never helped one bit, and towards the time of turning it off, I felt electricity running through me all the time, that hurt. Once I finally turned it off, I was burning from the waist down, and wound up with a severe sleep disorder that is now better. If you do get the DRG trial, make sure it lasts the full 10 days, and that easily 8 out of 10 days help your pain quite a bit. I had a 10 day trial, but I would say that only the last 3 had some improvement, but not enough. I was desperate to help my throbbing, contorted toes, and stabbing, throbbing. balls of feet. However, I don't think my trial was ever successful enough to implant the DRG. Just be careful, and I am glad you have heard of other success stories from real people, about the DRG. LoriRenee1

Sorry to hear that the DRG was unsuccessful for you. I had a 5 day trial a few months back. It did cut the pain in half during the day time but I don't think it helped much for the evening. So, as of yet I haven't had the permanent one put in. The 3 people who had success I talked to had a different doctor than the one who did my trial. Perhaps, success depends on the skill of the doctor who places the leads in the DRG. I have lower back pain too. I might have an epidural injection on Thursday in the lower back possibly @ L4, L-5. They are the nerves that service the toes of the foot. Perhaps that could help alleviate the pain I have in the toes from two prior surgeries I had on the toes.

I would also like to know if there are any good NALU stories since I am considering the 2-wk trial. I have pudendal neuropathy (MUCH pain when sitting), most likely caused by riding my bicycle too much.

@martyk I think it is very wise of you to try an epidural. That could relieve your pain, and is way less invasive than getting a spinal cord stimulator. I tried epidurals twice, and they did not help. However I do know a few people that swear by them. Both have sciatica. My best to you. Lori

I have had 3 epidural. I got very little relief .

@kbirchem I was devastated when the epidurals did not work for me. My neurologist made it like they found the answer to my pain. What a joke. Ridiculous. I am sorry they did not work for you either. Lori Renee

Re DRG I had one. I have a neuralgia just below my knee , a very specific target for stimulators after everything else didn’t work ( see my story , posted before )
5 yrs ago , I had 2 SCS trials in Vancouver ..both of them I had side effects during the trials ..
I then went to Melbourne and had the Abbot Axium DRG stimulator put in . It was really good and my life turned for the better.
I had a new life for 7 months and then it just slowly wore off …my body got used to it and the pain returned . DRGs stims are supposed to be the best type of stim to have for neuropathic pain in the legs and in certain back problems , according to the current research.. I was at the end of the road then , and it helped ..lots of people apparently get that kind of relief …I would try it if you have a very specific neuropathic pain condition as a last resort.

What do you after it doesn't work anymore after 7 months?