I recently had Nevro spinal cord neurostimulator implanted and one thing that concerns me is that some patients don't realize that the spinal cord neurostimulators are not all the same. My implant was to treat chronic pain from a neck injury that happened some 20 years ago. Some of the neurostimulators use a low frequency stimulator, some a high frequency signal and others a burst signal. I have a high frequency signal from the Nevro implant and I chose this one after researching everything I could find online and talking to pain doctors. Also my brother-in-law is an anesthesiologist MD (which is the general field for pain doctors with pain doctor as a sub specialty) and he also helped me navigate this decision. I chose the Nevro because it affected a larger area for pain relief, had fewer side effects and it is the latest technology. The Medtronic which uses a low frequency signal did not cover pain down my arms and it's pain target area is a more local to the leads location. From what I have read I believe the St. Judes is similar in its pain target coverage. The Nevro SCS (spinal cord stimulator) covers typically both sides of the body, both of my arms and shoulders. A doctor might tell you that the Nevro SCS is radicular in its coverage of pain meaning that the pain that radiates through the nerve path down the arms and legs is covered. The lower back implant from Nevro is also supposed to be better for covering pain down both legs than the other implants (if they do at all). The Nevro SCS does not have the side effect of paresthesia or tingling when the wires get crimped like when turning the head to look behind you when driving to change lanes. The Medtronic and the St. Jude have this side effect and you are not supposed to drive with these implants turned on. The Nevro SCS uses a high frequency signal that is patented and according to my pain doctors is leaving the other SCS implants in the dust. The Nevro currently has one drawback and that is you can't have a MRI with this implant. They are other tests that can be done for diagnostic purposes so it was not a deal breaker for me. The Nevro SCS also needs to be recharged usually every day but it is easy, pain free and now part of my routine. It may be that the other SCS devices may meet specific needs that the Nevro doesn't but your doctor will know best in any case because I don't have the knowledge or expertise to comment about all of the applications of these devices. If the pain specialist you are seeing is not using the Nevro find a doctor who does at least to get a comparison. I have seen some MDs that have not used the Nevro device yet since it is newer and they were not early adapters to the new technologies. Sometimes caution is good but not in this case in my opinion.

The relief I had from the trial was incredible even with the wires sticking out my back. The surgery recovery wasn't fun but surgery never is and this really was a minor issue when I looked at the big picture of the possible pain relief. Keeping from bending and twisting was a trial after the implant for me but at about six weeks I was back to most things I had done before. (My dogs too suffered as I couldn't boost them up on my bed and they were quite put out by that new development.) The reason for the restrictions is to keep the leads in place and also to keep the leads stable. The leads need to heal into the flesh or almost scar in and this prevents them from moving later on. I had at least 80% relief with the trial and currently I am still having the implant program adjusted to get the best possible pain relief.

I now realize that the trial isn't always duplicated entirely with the implant. A slight change in positioning of the leads of a millimeter can change the effectiveness of the program so said the technician I am seeing. She said sometimes with time and healing the program that you are using may need changes. The body can change its response to a signal and since it can take awhile before things settle down post surgery, adjustments will probably be needed. My Nevro technician said not to fear however since the leads cover all of the spine in the area selected and it was a matter of changing the program to compensate for any changes. So patience is my post surgery motto. When I read about implant patients who give up right away I am saddened that they may not have reached their pain relief goals because they didn't stick with it. It's the old adage of don't throw the baby out with the bath water when things get a bit bumpy. The reality check here is expect that SCS implants probably will need programming changes. It just doesn't go in and work without some tinkering of the program. My Nevro tech also said your response to your SCS can change through out the SCS's residence in your body but once again the program can be changed to better address your pain so contact your Nevro tech and get it adjusted. The programming does depend on your input as each of us is unique in our response to the SCS so it is a trial and error process but an educated one with the technicians expertise and training.
Currently I am trying out my second reprogramming of my device. It isn't at the same relief levels as the trial but I am keeping the faith that it will get better. The trial I have kidded was like a religious experience. It was like lifting off the forty pound knapsack I had been forever carrying from my injuries from severe whiplash. I am not quite there yet but I have just started. Hope this helped some of you and I will keep you posted.