Should I have the Spinal Cord Stimulator? Looking for reviews on this

I was fortunate to have good success with the Medtronics SCS trial. 80% relief. Implant was not quite as helpful but still fairly good. Between meds and SCS, I ws able to lead a fairly normal life for about 3 1/2 years. Then all my pain came flooding back. Rep found that a number of the electrodes had burned out on the paddle. I currently have an implanted morphine pain pump which has helped a little. I have had the doc up the dosage numerous times. It helps for a while and then seems to stop. So, I go back for another adjustment. At this point I am wondering if the catheter has pulled out from the intrathecal space. I am back to square one in regard to pain. Even delivering an extra boost of medication, or "bolus" is not doing much. Hopefully, they will check things out this coming week to make sure everything is working properly.

Hello @denman55. I have removed your comment to @labgirl as it did not align with the Community Guidelines, as seen here:

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Thank you for keeping this a judgment-free space.

I would look at niof health sight. Odds did not look good. I say no to scs. Many have been sued. Age is another factor. My pain specialist did not recommend.

Highly recommend Nevro spinal stimulator. Failed back syndrome after fusion and disc surgeries. 100% relief for about ten years. Pain specialist Ed implanted. No problems.

I also recommend for nerve pain. I have posted several times about the details. I wish this site had more order but hope spinal cord stimulator is at least searchable.

There are many factors that can determine the success or failure of a SCS. I did have one but within a few weeks the leads migrated to the T3 from the T7. Because of this the benefits could not be felt in my legs where I needed it to affect. The only solution was to completely remove and have it put back in. I did this but ultimately had it removed due to the nerve damage in the incision areas. I had mine done at a spine center and the dr came highly recommended. That being said I think the success or failure can be considered when choosing the dr and location the procedure is done. I do believe if the leads had not migrated it would have been successful. My trial worked great and I got great relief when I did the trial. That being said this is not minor surgery and your health should be considered before making this decision. Recovery does take time.

If a spinal cord stimulator was recommended to me I would run away as fast as possible. Here's an article about the risks as well as some alternatives: https://www.paintreatmentdirectory.com/posts/spinal-cord-stimulators-high-risk-low-benefit

My Pain Management crew was pushing a scs for me. I've had 4 broken vertebrae over time from horses and farming. I have lordosis. Pain was constantly at a 3-5 level. First they gave me oxycodone. After 6 months, I began to like it too much, so I gave it back to them and said "no more". Next solution was an scs. Over winter, my regular doctor sent me to a orthro-hand specialist due to sudden left hand weakness due to a fall on the ice. This led to a nerve electro-diagnosis. My issue is stenosis across all cervical vertebrae. I had outpatient level C4-5 anthroplasty performed in April. My back pain is gone. If I hadn't fallen, I might be wearing a scs now.

When you do research about SCS, make sure the articles etc. are current. Things change so much in just a year that articles from 2018 are not really current. The 4 main device manufacturers make numerous adjustments in one year alone to improve them. I would find a doctor who has done numerous implants with very few removals. Ask them questions about success and failure, infection rates etc. Be proactive. I have two friends (different doctors) that have them and love them. I wish you the best.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I actually just finished my trial with the Abbott SCS. I have had chronic abdominal pain from a previous surgery where the current Doctor believes there was a nerve sewn into my incision so it literally feels like someone is stabbing me in my abdomen. I also have spinal stenosis in L2-5, but honestly that causes me less discomfort than the abdomen. Anyway, I had TREMENDOUS relief from the trial - not just for the abdomen, but also some of the back pain (once they place the permanent one, my hope is that when mapping, we can hit on more of the back as well) and I am scheduled to get the permanent implant on August 10th. Are some of the side effects scary? Yes. But, for me, putting it into perspective changes my fear into hope. I know that in order for this to be successful, I HAVE to follow the "rules" post-op to do my part. I will wear the braces, I will limit my activity, I will not lift or reach for things over my head. I am trying to keep a positive attitude and I am really hoping that this will be the answer I have been waiting for.