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Comparison of Spinal Cord Stimulators from Boston Sci., Nevro
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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I met with the Nevro rep at my surgery follow up and she gave me a pretty good explanation of how the programs work. Then she reprogrammed the remote to populate the various settings. So far I haven't found a setting that works as well as the trial and initial setting.
Do you have any thoughts on how to go about finding the right settings, or is it just trial and error?
Very much trial and error. I have benn searching and trying for 6 months and had two coaches. I put in a program and light level and give it at least 2-3 days. I am still taking gabapentin and tramadol but have reduced the amount. After a few days I will increase the level and evaluate. I have even gone down, back to a lower light level to re-examine and compare. I don’t think I will ever be free of some pain medication as I have neuropathy in both lower legs as well as scoliosis. My goal is to greatly reduce lower back/hip pain and reduce left thigh pain (a result of the turn in my spinal column and the nerve being pinched at that point)
I hope this is worthwhile information and I realize everyone is so different in their needs and also their pain tolerance.
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1 ReactionVery helpful.
I’m 68 yrs old. set to have Nervo stimulator implant in 4 days. Just like any input from ones who have implants. Good or not so good report. Want to make sure this is for me. Had back surgery 2019 4&5 lumbar fusion. Have nerve pain feet, legs, low back especially when I bend or twist back.
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1 ReactionI had the Nevro implanted on November 15th.
My advise is to be patient during the first couple of weeks. It may take a while to find the best settings for relief,
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1 Reactioni have the Boston Scientific and it’s been very helpful! I had several sessions with my agent for the device - he gave me a program for butt and calf that is great for relief of those areas. He also programmed a neutral setting that i keep on all the time after i periodically use the stimulator for about 20 minutes
Did you find the right program after a couple of weeks?
Yes. Been on the same setting for over 3 weeks.
I’m glad to hear it.
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1 ReactionHi lifetimepain, can you share with us WHERE your pain is located? I'm happy to hear you got some relief. I'm scheduled for the Nevro SCS on January 23rd. I have pain in multiple area's.