Anyone tried Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain?

The device was implanted in my right buttock. Given us old guys lose weight in our rear end, it now sticks out a little. I am going to discuss with my pain manager having another one implanted to block pain from my cervical vertebrae. RFA don't seem to work for me. Being from Huntsville, AL - the Rocket City, NASA - we call the pain going from the C vertebrae to the head, Brain Rockets. If he agrees, I am looking at one in my right chest. Perhaps take the old one out and extend the new wires / leads down to S1.

I have, but not impressed w/ the results.

I have Arachnoiditis Ahesive which is not curable and cause by a severe spinal leak when having surgery for a herniated disc at the Mayo. I was told by them that the only thing that would help my pain to get me off Opioids is to get a stimulator. I’ve been told by other doctors that it might not work because of all the surgery and hardware along with scar tissue but they can’t get the leads wires through all that mess. Just need to find out anybody with any kind of success using a stimulator.

I have a Boston Scientific spinal cord stimulator. I’m currently in to my 9th month with it. I love it. (If you go this route make sure the representative with Boston Scientific is knowledgeable. If the rep gives you “lip service” request a new one.) It takes about 60 days to become effective. You’ll get great results when doing the trial but the actual implant will take longer to get your results. It takes 9 months for the scar tissue to enclose around the wires. I have CRPS in my legs. I was struggling to walk. I’ve been doing water aerobics which has helped me. I can now walk.

I went through an anesthesiologist that specializes in pain management. I use the university of North Carolina. I had been through numerous neurologist and was just not getting anywhere. I ended up calling the Mayo clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and they suggested that I use the University Of North Carolina. (With Covid and the vaccinations it is difficult to get in with a neurologist so please keep this in mind. It took about 4 months for my appointment…almost everywhere.)

There are numerous spinal cord stimulators. Do your homework. UNC gave me a list of companies that they used for implants and I did my homework on every single one of them. Boston Scientific had the most to offer for me.

I wish you the best of luck.

I have a 20 lead Medtronic “my stim” spinal cord stimulator that goes to my cervical spine. My C three. Was cut , and one of the lead went down by epidural, come out and touches my mirrors that goes to my arms and hands. It was a 16 hour surgery in two days. I have two batteries that I recharge. I have not had any problems since it was installed in 2015. The other leads go to the occipital area in my head. I have diabetic autonimic peripheral polyneuropathy, Cervical spondylosis and more . My first stimulator was installed in 2003 it was only two leads, and this technique was still young. I had a Medtronics, but the server Surgeon did not do a good job.

Thank you for getting back to me and your information is very interesting as well as informative. I recently send a message to my neurosurgeon at the mayo clinic regarding the problems I’m hearing about a stimulator with my spinal erector set and scar tissues and he said that he now recommends a pain pump. Have you looked into that as it sounds like an alternative rather than going on through all what you’ve gone through and the waiting period. I’m 79 years old and nine months I can’t give up to wait that long to get help.

Hi Donfeld, I'm happy that Boston Scientific worked for you. Did you experience any parathesia with the Boston Scientific? I did and had the permanent Boston Scientific removed after two months. I may try the NEVRO HTX . I've been told that you don't experience parathesia with that SCS.

No, I did not. My only problem was the rep. He was of little help. He always said “Let’s wait longer.” Ended up changing to a new one. I needed more explanation … turns out he hooked my legs up backwards to the computer. The new rep discovered it immediately.

I love my implant and hope your future looks better. Wishing you the very best!

I had the Abbott stimulator installed and it did help my back to some extend (although I keep getting occasional sharp stabbing pain where the stimulator is) but absolutely no relief for the pain in my hip, legs and feet. It is really painful walking because it is like hitting an extremely bad bruise every time I take a step.

I have one. Doesn't provide much in the way of pain relief.