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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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dbaps | @dbaps | Jan 2, 2023

I have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy in the bottoms of both feet. I got the Medtronic device about ten years ago. Unfortunately over time it stopped working for my pain. With my Medtronics SCS, I cannot get an MRI because the leads are incompatible.

My doctor thinks I am a good candidate for Nevro HFX. He said for me the leads are compatible and I just need the battery swapped out which takes twenty minutes.

Has anyone had this done specifically for foot pain?

I also noticed that there is a Nevro HFX IQ device that was FDA approved in October. Does anyone have any experience with this new AI generator? Thank you.

REPLY
2 replies
heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Apr 6, 2023

I had a Medtronics SCS implanted in August of 2018. The trial went very well. The implant, along with pain meds, controlled my pail level fairly well until February of 2021. For some unknown reason, all my pain began to return. Nothing was helping much. In 2022 I was encouraged to try the Nevro trial. Unfortunately, they were not able to get the trial electrode in place under the Medtronics paddle. . Essentially, the trail was ineffective. The Nevro rep was quite insistent that their SCS could be hooked to the Medtronics paddle with an adapter and the Nevro unit would provide superior pain mitigation. So, I went ahead with the surgery. As I should have expected, the Nevro did nothing. Except that now I have this very large bulge on my side, and the adapter makes it impossible to have another MRI. That is only my unique experience. I am sure that others have had better outcomes.

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Apr 6, 2023
In reply to @wisco50 "My only suggestion as both a retired RN and a patient with multiple level fusions in..." + (show)
@wisco50

My only suggestion as both a retired RN and a patient with multiple level fusions in both lumbar and cervical spine is to ask many questions. FYI, I am doing well with a Medtronics spinal cord stimulator. If I had not had it work for me, and was looking at different brands, I would want to know:
- WHY do you think your brand will work when X did not?
You don’t want them to say nebulous things like “our technology is better”.
-Specificities, please! Exactly why will it work better?
- Modalities?
-Your specific problem is best treated by what/because?
-Can they explain why they feel their product is best for your problems? Specs? Data? Trials. Make sure they explain this so YOU can understand - it’s their job!
- Presumably you DO get a trial?
- Is this the same surgeon involved with Medtronics device? What and why does he think this may be better (or does he?). Any Pain physicians involved?
- Check with current/former patients as to customer service of Nevro vs others.

I was also offered “option” of more surgery/additional fusion level and I opted to try something else. Surgery was my last resort if things got even worse. I was on pain meds by end of day 1-2 Vicodin. Aspirin and EST. Heat, ice. Used a cane occ. Limped. I have no idea if this stimulator will work/help for how long (been since late January). Hardest part for me were all the postop restrictions so things would “set in”, but I managed to make myself behave. (Amazing!) My original surgeries were in 2011. Began having sciatica pain a few years ago, my diagnosis is moderate/severe spinal stenosis, DDD, bulging disc here and there. Too bad they didn’t have dependable artificial discs offered then as I might have considered it. Right now I can do much more, off one antidepressant, maybe take aspirin once or twice daily, EST if needed. I still do use ice/heat for muscle spasms as needed. But I garden, walk, maybe 1/2 Vicodin if my neck is bad. (My SCS is only for my lumbar area.)

I hope you find some answers and relief!

Jump to this post

The trial of whatever SCS you are thinking of using is the key. But, having said that, the level of pain mitigation that you achieve with the trial may not be the same level you get with the actual implant. I had excellent pain relief with the Medtronics unit, but only good relief with the actual implant. Surgeon said that it was difficult to suture the paddle exactly in the "sweet spot". Still, it helped to mitigate my pain level along with my pain meds.

REPLY
laxfan | @laxfan | Jul 10, 2023
In reply to @dbaps "I have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy in the bottoms of both feet. I got the Medtronic device..." + (show)
@dbaps

I have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy in the bottoms of both feet. I got the Medtronic device about ten years ago. Unfortunately over time it stopped working for my pain. With my Medtronics SCS, I cannot get an MRI because the leads are incompatible.

My doctor thinks I am a good candidate for Nevro HFX. He said for me the leads are compatible and I just need the battery swapped out which takes twenty minutes.

Has anyone had this done specifically for foot pain?

I also noticed that there is a Nevro HFX IQ device that was FDA approved in October. Does anyone have any experience with this new AI generator? Thank you.

Jump to this post

I had the Nrvto HFX IQ device implanted in April 2023. The AI app was taking too long to bring me significant pain relief. It does not allow you to pick up where you were with a successful trial. I switched out of AI mode and am getting good relief using modifications to my trial programs and favorites.

REPLY
heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Jul 12, 2023
In reply to @dbaps "I have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy in the bottoms of both feet. I got the Medtronic device..." + (show)
@dbaps

I have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy in the bottoms of both feet. I got the Medtronic device about ten years ago. Unfortunately over time it stopped working for my pain. With my Medtronics SCS, I cannot get an MRI because the leads are incompatible.

My doctor thinks I am a good candidate for Nevro HFX. He said for me the leads are compatible and I just need the battery swapped out which takes twenty minutes.

Has anyone had this done specifically for foot pain?

I also noticed that there is a Nevro HFX IQ device that was FDA approved in October. Does anyone have any experience with this new AI generator? Thank you.

Jump to this post

I have experienced just the opposite of what you did. I had an MRI with the Medtronics SCS. It has a setting that allows for MRI. When it stopped working, I swapped it out for the Nevro. They kept the Medtronics paddle and used an adapter to connect the Nevro battery to the Medtronics lead. That resulted in my not being able to have an MRI. BTW, the Nevro has never provided any pain mitigation. The Nevro rep, checking things out, said the the paddle had several electrodes burned out. She told me that this should still allow for decent relief, even though the paddle was not in the "sweet spot". Live and learn, hopefully.
Not familiar with the nes AI device coming out in October.

REPLY
1 reply
bunnybear | @bunnybear | Jul 13, 2023

I Googled NES AI device and found only one reference to a device that supposedly restores energy. It says nothing about a new device coming in October. Are you using it now? Please tell me more.

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laxfan | @laxfan | Jul 14, 2023
In reply to @heisenberg34 "I have experienced just the opposite of what you did. I had an MRI with the..." + (show)
@heisenberg34

I have experienced just the opposite of what you did. I had an MRI with the Medtronics SCS. It has a setting that allows for MRI. When it stopped working, I swapped it out for the Nevro. They kept the Medtronics paddle and used an adapter to connect the Nevro battery to the Medtronics lead. That resulted in my not being able to have an MRI. BTW, the Nevro has never provided any pain mitigation. The Nevro rep, checking things out, said the the paddle had several electrodes burned out. She told me that this should still allow for decent relief, even though the paddle was not in the "sweet spot". Live and learn, hopefully.
Not familiar with the nes AI device coming out in October.

Jump to this post

Nevro HFX uses high frequency modulation. You might get a different outcome.
-

REPLY
alexis7 | @alexis7 | Jul 14, 2023

Do your research but make sure you're not on a manufacturers website. The one a lot doctors are now using is the Boston Scientific WaveWriter. It could be because of larger kickbacks??? It was rated #1 in a recent study and it's the one I trialed and will be having implanted.

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bazzinga1234 | @bazzinga1234 | Jul 15, 2023

Has anyone with extreme back pain used “The Back Reliever”. I saw a video on line.

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lisavila1 | @lisavila1 | Feb 7 12:15pm

Hi Andrea,

My doctor suggested implanting a Nevro SCS and I was wondering if it helped you?

Thanks!

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