Implantable neurostimulator for chronic pain

Hi all,
It’s been ages since I’ve posted or read up on this post and I really don’t have the energy lately. I had a simulator that I loved and had good results with. I was able to get out of bed in the mornings which is so different than my life right now. Has anyone of you that have a stimulator or maybe have been told you are not a candidate for one due to A-Fib? I had an episode and my cardiologist, the ER MD plus cardiologist I saw while admitted told me it must be turned off? I lost a brother to A-Fib complications 2 years ago so I’m predetermined uneasy about this to begin with. Plus I am now struggling severely with back pain and this month was told I possibly have a compact fracture of my spine. They raised my meds from the lowered dose I was cut to for only 7 days. In desparation I went back on my Gabapentin and now feel like a shell of my former self. I need suggestions or something to happen. Thank you for reading. Thank you for your help. Bekie

@bekie

I don't have AFib, but I do take Diltiazen for SVT. I haven't heard any objections so far. Have you assured yourself that it's true that you can't use the stimulator? Is it possible that there could be a compromise? I wouldn't want to be told I had to turn mine off.

Jim

I just had one put in on January 3rd. It was turned on after a very stressful appointment with my pain management Dr. Before I got home I broke out with hives from my head to my toes. I shut the machine off until I get rid of them. Today is the 31st and I still have hives.

@wandamiller

I would be asking my doctor to find the actual reason for the hives, as it's fairly unlikely that the stimulator is the cause. Maybe an allergist or dermatologist would give you some answers. I hope that you find the reason and you'll be able to get going with the stimulator.

Jim

Beckie, are you certain that you can't use the spinal cord stimulator with a-fib? An ER doc will tell you to turn it off just so it won't interfere with any tests they do while you are being seen. You need to follow up with your caerdiologist to make certain that the SCS is causing heart problems. Get a real solid no before giving up on the SCS. Your cardiolodost will know and so will the pain doctors if that is a problem with heart issues.. Might be a long shot but you need to discuss this in an office visit with a cardiologist or at least the pain doctor. I do know that my brother in law has an irregular heart beat and he is a candidate for a SCS.

Thanks for replying Jim. My Dr has referred me to an allergist. I hope you're right. My doc thinks I have them from stress and pain. That surgery was no walk in the park. Though right now I'm feeling better, I still have hives. Praying they go away soon.

I have Afib. I take fleciaide and metoprolol to control it . I had to have cardiac clearance before having it installed. I'm 99.9% sure it won't interfere.

Thank you for replying. I was almost positive it had nothing to do with my A-Fib and genetics played the role. They didn’t want to listen to me and wanted to error on the side of caution. I understand that. I have had the implant 3 years prior to the attack. I will try a different cardiologist for clearance and hopefully they are more aware of the way it functions. Thank you so much, this makes my day. Bekie

The Cardiologist seeing me in the hospital told me it needed to stay off. Plus when I followed up with a Cardiologist once out of the hospital agreed with him. I have moved and started with a new pain doctor and he doesn’t want to make a decision on it at all. I will find a new cardiologist and hopefully I get the okay. I am also going to call St Jude to get it checked out and serviced with new programs to use just in case. I’m hoping and praying to get an all clear. It made such a big difference when I could use it. Since I’ve had it implanted I’ve had other discs that have deteriorated and a compression fracture so I know it won’t help all my pain. I’ll take any little bit of relief I can get. Thank you for replying. Bekie

@bekie

I surely hope you'll be able to use the stimulator. I know how much it has helped me. Of course, as I was told, it took about six weeks for it to start getting messages through to my feet. Then, I had it adjusted a few times. The rep who does the adjustment told me that he's tuned it as far as he can, and the next level is feeling the vibration all the time. I want to avoid that if I possibly can. I've read what many people have experienced, and most of it was negative. I wish you luck getting any answers from St. Jude. The Burst DR was bought out by Abbott. When the rep called them with a question from me, they told me to talk with the surgeon. I never saw or spoke to the surgeon except before and after the procedure. I only talked with assistants, which didn't impress me.

I have SVT, controlled by medication. Apparently, it's not a problem like AFib is.

Your new pain specialist must not have much experience with stimulator implants. I was very impressed with my pain doctor. If he wasn't up to date on anything, he did research on it on his own time. He is really good to work with. I know how challenging it is to control pain. I wish you well.

Jim