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Spinal cord stimulation: Will Nevro help when Medtronic didn't?

Posted by 24swart @24swart, May 30, 2020

Hi there,

Need your input.
I am 53 and suffer badly from chronic back and nerve pain in my feet, calf, etc. spinal stenosis, arthritis and severe disc degeneration. Basically need new spine with better cartidge. I have had 3 spinal fusions - 2005, 2011 and 2019 (L3-S1 & C5 - C7). Now issues with bone spurs pressing on sciatic nerve and continued disc generation and vertebrae movement above L3. No neuropathy thankfully.

Tried Medtronic trial did not work. Headed to my Dr on 6/2 in Boston to meet him and the Nevro rep. So badly need relief “gabapentin” not doing it. Please share if you could your results on Nevro. I am at a loss as my Dr does not want to do surgery as its very complicated last resort. My posture is terrible as well.

Thank you, very much appreciated.
Andrea

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dogsma | @dogsma | Mar 5, 2022

There is more to consider than comparing the effectiveness of various stimulators; I chose Nevro because it was the only one on the market that did not cause “buzzing/vibrating” in the legs. Unfortunately having the device causes delays in treatments because you must have a Nevro rep come verify the integrity of the device prior to any MRI and there are only certain MRI machines that can be used - at least for some models. I have had the Nevro spine stimulator since 2016 and have tried very hard to justify keeping it. One of the major issues is that of getting an MRI. I have been in level 8-10 pain for over a week and spent many hours in ER getting pain medication infusions while we are waiting for Nevro to respond and send someone to do the requisite impedance check of the device. The hospital’s requests to Nevro, which is the normal process, went unanswered for a week and, because I had kept a mobile phone number of one of the patient contacts I was able to get some movement however I did not get response until a Friday and they do not work on weekends! Seriously? The pain is so bad I keep getting sick to my stomach – now with dry heaves with pain fluctuating between and 8 and 10 and Nevro can’t be bothered. This device is coming out; this is not the first time this has happened to me and I have had many spine surgeries with ongoing new causes of nerve damage. This is inexcusable.

REPLY
sbrown293 | @sbrown293 | Mar 19, 2022

My husband had the Nevro Senza trial, then had the device implanted in June of 2021. He is very well pleased with the relief he has gotten in his feet and legs. Especially the feet. Since getting his, 2 of our friends have gotten one implanted. One of them is so, so happy with hers. The other friend just got his yesterday and is experiencing some pain today with the implant itself, but his feet and are NOT hurting. Op site pain will go away. Hope you get relief!

REPLY
2 replies
martyk | @martyk | Mar 29, 2022
In reply to @genomacc "I have been dealing with back issues for 20 years: Chasing relief! The numbness started in..." + (show)
@genomacc

I have been dealing with back issues for 20 years: Chasing relief! The numbness started in about 2005 after disk surgeries L3-S1. In about 2014 the Neuropathy really started to kick in bad. I get sick over anti depressants, and have been the route of opioids which gave me relief, but only a small amount, and I feel at a high cost.
2017 I tried the Medtronic Spinal Stimulator. Had to have the leads removed before I could leave the hospital as I could not control my legs. (I hear now that the leads may have gone into the spinal canal, and not the Intrathecal canal).
Later that year I had a Medtronic Intrathecal Drug pump installed. I do get relief, but not much even after the Doctors have turn up the medication to high.
This year, 2020, I had a trial of the Nevro Spinal Stimulator. Worked great. I'm having to wait for the virus issue to end so I can have it install. I'm so ready!
The Doctor was not able to get the Medtronic leads into the correct level on my lumbar so he went up to T12 and went down to L3, because of the scar tissue. Bad results. The Nevro leads go T12 up to T8. For me it was doable. In addition, the Nevro is on a higher wave length. Worked well for me in the trial of one week.
I had to give up work at the end of 2018 and am now just hoping for relief/quality of life. I'm hoping the Nevro will work for a long time as it did with the trial. Good luck!
(Demographics: Male, age 60)

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Hi Genomacc, Did you ever get the permanent NEVRO implanted and has it significantly reduced your pain? I am considering one for my lower back and right foot pain. Thanks Marty

REPLY
martyk | @martyk | Mar 30, 2022
In reply to @genomacc "The Doctor I just saw has agreed to work with. I relocate to central Texas. I..." + (show)
@genomacc

The Doctor I just saw has agreed to work with. I relocate to central Texas. I was concerned about finding a doctor who will fill my current Medtrontic drug pump given that when I moned from Idaho to San Diego, California it was difficult to find a doctor to fill an existing pump.
The issue is that this new Doctor does not use Nevro. He is going to discuss this issue with the other doctors at the clinic and see where I stand.
I like this Doctor, but I had good results with the Nevro trial, so time will tell.
Good luck everyone!

Jump to this post

did you have the permanent NEVRO implanted? If so, did you get at least 50% relief?

REPLY
martyk | @martyk | Mar 31, 2022
In reply to @sbrown293 "My husband had the Nevro Senza trial, then had the device implanted in June of 2021...." + (show)
@sbrown293

My husband had the Nevro Senza trial, then had the device implanted in June of 2021. He is very well pleased with the relief he has gotten in his feet and legs. Especially the feet. Since getting his, 2 of our friends have gotten one implanted. One of them is so, so happy with hers. The other friend just got his yesterday and is experiencing some pain today with the implant itself, but his feet and are NOT hurting. Op site pain will go away. Hope you get relief!

Jump to this post

Thank you sbrown293 for passing on this information. I'm happy for your husband and friend. Chronic foot pain can keep you from doing so many activities that you enjoyed before the pain started.

REPLY
martyk | @martyk | Dec 9, 2022
In reply to @genomacc "I have been dealing with back issues for 20 years: Chasing relief! The numbness started in..." + (show)
@genomacc

I have been dealing with back issues for 20 years: Chasing relief! The numbness started in about 2005 after disk surgeries L3-S1. In about 2014 the Neuropathy really started to kick in bad. I get sick over anti depressants, and have been the route of opioids which gave me relief, but only a small amount, and I feel at a high cost.
2017 I tried the Medtronic Spinal Stimulator. Had to have the leads removed before I could leave the hospital as I could not control my legs. (I hear now that the leads may have gone into the spinal canal, and not the Intrathecal canal).
Later that year I had a Medtronic Intrathecal Drug pump installed. I do get relief, but not much even after the Doctors have turn up the medication to high.
This year, 2020, I had a trial of the Nevro Spinal Stimulator. Worked great. I'm having to wait for the virus issue to end so I can have it install. I'm so ready!
The Doctor was not able to get the Medtronic leads into the correct level on my lumbar so he went up to T12 and went down to L3, because of the scar tissue. Bad results. The Nevro leads go T12 up to T8. For me it was doable. In addition, the Nevro is on a higher wave length. Worked well for me in the trial of one week.
I had to give up work at the end of 2018 and am now just hoping for relief/quality of life. I'm hoping the Nevro will work for a long time as it did with the trial. Good luck!
(Demographics: Male, age 60)

Jump to this post

Hello Geno, did you ever have the Permanent NEVRO implanted? If you did are you happy with the result? I had the the Medtronic permanent implanted around 2 and a half years ago. Got 50% relief but couldn't take the parathesia after two months I had it removed. Tried the Abbott DRG trial twice in a year and did not got any relief. I'm considering the NEVRO HFX next. I have, the physcological exam later today. If I pass the insurance company will review and if they give approval I will then the trial NEVRO. Please let us know if you had the NEVRO and the results. Good luck and God bless. Thank you

REPLY
martyk | @martyk | Dec 9, 2022
In reply to @sbrown293 "My husband had the Nevro Senza trial, then had the device implanted in June of 2021...." + (show)
@sbrown293

My husband had the Nevro Senza trial, then had the device implanted in June of 2021. He is very well pleased with the relief he has gotten in his feet and legs. Especially the feet. Since getting his, 2 of our friends have gotten one implanted. One of them is so, so happy with hers. The other friend just got his yesterday and is experiencing some pain today with the implant itself, but his feet and are NOT hurting. Op site pain will go away. Hope you get relief!

Jump to this post

Thank you sbrown for sharing your husbands and friends experience with Nevro. I am considering one if I pass the physe exam and get approval from the insurance company.

REPLY
1 reply
sbrown293 | @sbrown293 | Dec 9, 2022
In reply to @martyk "Thank you sbrown for sharing your husbands and friends experience with Nevro. I am considering one..." + (show)
@martyk

Thank you sbrown for sharing your husbands and friends experience with Nevro. I am considering one if I pass the physe exam and get approval from the insurance company.

Jump to this post

Wishing you a great experience with Nevro. Pain relief makes such a difference in everyday living.

REPLY
martyk | @martyk | Dec 10, 2022
In reply to @martyk "Wisco50, I think you are right on. I had the Medtronic traditional implanted last year. They..." + (show)
@martyk

Wisco50, I think you are right on. I had the Medtronic traditional implanted last year. They the doctor and rep told me that is has worked for patients like me, who has chronic foot pain from 2 failed surgeries. I got slight relief from the trial but had a little back pain. So, I decided to have them take it out on August 2nd. The trial was brutal because of the pain back pain associated with the amount of tape used to hold the leads into place. So, it was really hard to determine if it reduced the foot pain. The doctor wrote in his report that I got 50% relief to justify putting in the permanent one. I should have asked to speak to a couple of his prior foot patients who the doctor claims got significant relief. I'm working with another doctor who does DRG. He gave me the names of 3 prior patients who had success with his DRG. Two had foot problems and one had a leg problem. They all recommend him and the DRG that he put into them. I hope you get some relief. God bless.

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Correction to the device that was implanted. message. It was Boston Scientific not Medtronic.

REPLY
kenc | @kenc | Dec 10, 2022

I have the Boston Scientific Stimulator surgically installed and have received very limited results.

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