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Implantable neurostimulator for chronic pain
Spine Health | Last Active: Jun 21, 2023 | Replies (334)Comment receiving replies
@faithwalker007 So you have a drg stimulator. I'm considering changing from my Abbott spinal cord stimulator to a drg. What pain does it help, and how much does it help? I'm at the place where I need to do something different because my stimulator helps for a few days, then the benefit falls off over the next few weeks and I have to get it adjusted again.
My scs was supposed to be MRI compatible, but when I went to the lab to get a scan my controller said MRI not advised. I'm not at all happy about that. Have you had an MRI with your drg? My concern is that when I go to get one - the neurologist wants a more detailed brain scan - that same message will show up. The tech told me at the first of the year that an update is in the works and I should be able to get the MRI within a few months. It's been more than a few months and still no update.
I'm trying to learn all I can about what my options are.
Jim
Replies to "@faithwalker007 So you have a drg stimulator. I'm considering changing from my Abbott spinal cord stimulator..."
I am trying to get an appointment with Mayo, which requires a new MRI (my last one was 2 years ago). I was with my Abbott rep at the PM and when she showed me how to put it into MRI mode, I got the yellow triangle message - MRI not advised. What a shock since one of the deciding factors for Proclaim was being able to have an MRI. I got a CT and crossed my fingers it will be enough. But I'm not aware of updates - I'm going on a year now. Is it an update to the software in the controller? She still really didn't explain well why the controller said an MRI would be a problem... but when they did the revision they had to move the location because of all the scar tissue that had built up. Makes me crazy when unexplained s&*t happens like that.
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FYI,
I have the DRG and the SCS from St. Jude (Abbott).
Originally I was told my SCS was MRI compatible. Then they changed the leads during one of my revisions and they now say the leads are not MRI compatible (or not approved yet - but that was 4 years ago).
I also have the DRG and they told me that I should not get an MRI since they have no trials showing that having 2 stimulators is safe in an MRI.
The point being that you need to make sure that not only the battery pack, but also BOTH your leads are ALREADY approved for MRI.
I just needed an MRI for my shoulder, but they said they would not recommend it. So I had a CT scan with contrast die which is much less accurate in certain diagnosis.
I no longer get any relief from my stimulators and am considering having them removed.
Carl