Peripheral nerve stimulators
This is a long shot, but I’m looking for people who have used implanted peripheral nerve stimulators (PNS) to control nerve pain. They block the pain signal to the brain. Stimrouter and Stimwave are major brands. These are NOT the same thing as spinal cord stimulators, of which there are many brands. I’m about to have a Stimwave implanted to block intractable pelvic and leg nerve pain.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.
I had a Nalu stimulator placed in my right leg following a failed knee replacement and chronic pain for four years. I had 100% pain relief during the trial and immediately following the permanent implant. It is now only four months following the implant and I will have one great day then two terrible days with pain at 10/10 just like before implantation. Has anyone else experienced this? What have you done?
I have severe burning pain at the back of my neck ( which then spreads around the rest of my body).
It has been diagnosed as peripheral neuropathy but despite several years' treatment at the NHNN, the cause cannot be found. Symptomatic treatments have not worked.
SCS has been suggested.
Does anyone have experience of SCS and how successful it was?
Hello @michelebar and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am sorry to read that you are not getting the consistent relief you had likely expected after the trial.
I wanted to bring you into a discussion on nerve stimulators, so you will notice I have moved your post here:
- Peripheral nerve stimulators: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/peripheral-nerve-stimulators/
Members such as @dhc684 @fredjan2016 @sparshall and @carolynbeers have mentioned experiences with the Nalu stimulator so am hoping they can come back to share an update with you.
Were you told during your trial that you may experience slightly less of a result once implanted?
Hello @jeffers613 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Spinal Cord Stimulators for PN are a topic that others have been discussing, so you will notice I have moved your post here for you to join them:
- Peripheral nerve stimulators: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/peripheral-nerve-stimulators/
I'd like to call in member @michelebar who has also recently joined to inquire about others' experiences with nerve stimulators, the Nalu to be specific.
Have you had a second opinion in your course of care so far? If so, I am curious if both opinions have pointed to SCS as the next viable option?
The surgeon told me that it would need tweaking by the vendor. He told me that I should expect 50-70% improvement in pain
I have found that working with a physical therapist specializing in neuropathy has helped me alot with learning daily exercises that improve my stamina and endurance-also taking a half pill of Effexor every 12 hours helps as well-I have peripheral neuropathy also_Mike storman
I am currently using Horizant 300mg 2x day for severe small fiber nerve pain. Has anyone tried the electrical spine stimulator for this condition?
Hello @romans8 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I wanted to introduce you to a discussion on nerve stimulators and members such as @michelebar @dhc684 @fredjan2016 @sparshall and @carolynbeers who can share more with you based on their experiences.
Has a nerve stimulator been recommended to you or are you leading the interest?
I was assessed for PNS 4 years ago when I fell on my right total knee replacement and fractured the tibial plateau under the replacement which caused significant pain down the outer side of my lower leg. The pain only worsened in spit of injections in the spine and in the knee so a stimulator was discussed. I had the Nalu stimulator placed October of 2022 which definitely has improved my QOL
My doctors are suggesting us Nalu over other stimulators like the PNS Sprint or Stim Router. How are you feeling and doing now with the NALU?