Comparison of Spinal Cord Stimulators from Boston Sci., Nevro

Posted by elsa @elsa, Jul 26, 2020

I've lived with severe chronic pain in my legs and lumbar spine for the past ten years. Was on opiates for 8 years until I attended & graduated from Mayo's 3-week Pain Rehab Program in 2018. That program helped immensely and I got off 5 meds I used to take, including morphine and hydrocodone. Unfortunately, in the last year my spine health has worsened. I now have a toxic mix of scar tissue (from a dural tear during a microdiscectomy), stenosis at multiple levels, bulging discs and scoliosis. I am now scheduled to do a trial of Boston Scientific's "Wave Writer" SCS on August 10, 2020. Unfortunately my doctor did not guide me in the selection of this manufacturer/model. I did my own research. I considered doing trials of Nevro's HF-10 and Boston Scientific's Wave Writer. Finally decided on the Wave Writer.
I'm posting here to ask for people's knowledge of and/or experience with these two SCS's. Please reply if you can share any information. Thanks!

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@sheila1d

I need to choose between the Nevro HF10 spine stimulator at Mayo and the Boston Scientific stimulator at a hospital in my home state. I am asking for advice, opinions please.

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Boston Scientific is also the choice of Pain Management in Boise. That doctor has very little inter-personal communication with patients which is one factor. I did not care for the parathesia of Boston Sci. On my first appt with two neurosurgeons at Mayo, Phoenix when they looked me in the eye instead of the computer screen, my decision to go there was sealed. And they use HF10
Hope this helps.

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Hi Elsa, did you decide to try any SCS spinal cord stimulator? If so, which one and can you tell us what the outcome was? Thanks Marty

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I had a HFX SCS implanted 4 days . I'm trying to find out what the different programs are. Can anyone help?

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I have recently completed the trial of the Nevro Spinal Stimulator and it was about 95% successful for me. I am now going forward to have the permanent one installed. I have had the appointment with the neurosurgeon and we are working to get the operating room scheduled before Christmas.

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@hbourg

I had a HFX SCS implanted 4 days . I'm trying to find out what the different programs are. Can anyone help?

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Welcome @hbourg, Here's a YouTube video on the HFX that might be helpful. Have you talked with your doctor or the HFX rep?

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@hbourg

I had a HFX SCS implanted 4 days . I'm trying to find out what the different programs are. Can anyone help?

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Your coach should be guiding you through the process of finding the best program. I had the HF10 implanted 6 mos ago and just now I think I have the program that is my best “fit”. It takes time.

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@sheila1d

Your coach should be guiding you through the process of finding the best program. I had the HF10 implanted 6 mos ago and just now I think I have the program that is my best “fit”. It takes time.

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Thanks. I'll meet with my coach in about a week. I just am curious what the different programs do.

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I had the SCS full spectrum implant ( paddle type ) which controlled the entire body . Never worked that great for me and eventually had to have a emergency surgery because the paddle came loose from my spine causing more never damage . After the implant about 3 months down the road I was sent to get an MRI … know this once implant is in place you will no longer be able to get an MRI … I could only do head a neck … the only way that any imaging could be done in the future would be with dye contest and with my condition Spinal Arachnoiditis placing any needle around or near that epidural space was a no !! no !! Do your own diligence know the ends and outs. They will say if you don’t like it we can take it out but even at emergency surgery to take it out was 3- week later . Never again would I personally have any implant again . Just know what your getting Tito before hand ask lots of questions demand answers into the different scenarios that could arise
with any foreign object that’s placed under or around the spinal canal period know matter how good your neurosurgeon is and how many they have done .

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@hbourg

Thanks. I'll meet with my coach in about a week. I just am curious what the different programs do.

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The programs activate different places on the wire implants which in turn focus on different areas of the source(s) of your pain. I have two major pain areas (lower back, hips and left leg)) so I activate programs and light levels until I can get the best pain relief possible.

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@sheila1d

The programs activate different places on the wire implants which in turn focus on different areas of the source(s) of your pain. I have two major pain areas (lower back, hips and left leg)) so I activate programs and light levels until I can get the best pain relief possible.

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Thanks. That's as good an explanation as I've had. Hopefully my coach can provide more detail.

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