Anyone with a Medtronic Stimulator that they're not happy with?

I had the Medtronics SCS implanted back in 2017, The trial went exceptionally well. It dropped my pain down from a 7-8 to about a 3-4. The permanent implant didn't work quite as well but I still had pain reduction of about 50%. This, along with my meds, made my life much better for about 3 years. I was back to cycling, skiing, hiking, working around the house, etc. Then, in 2021, all the pain returned. I have been in severe pain ever since. Had a pain pump installed in April of this year. Worked well for about a week after several upward adjustments of the meds. Then, once again, the pain returned. Just started with new pain specialist here in Delaware who does the pain pump. I am not really complaining. I see lots of folks on this site whose pain and problems put me to shame. At least I am somewhat functional, even if I can't do a lot of the things I could do three years ago. I count myself blessed. Hope your permanent implant gives you excellent pain mitigation.

My trial of the Medtronics unit went quite well. Pain dropped by about 70%. The permanent implant didn't work quite as well, but still received about 50% pain mitigation. Along with pain meds, I was back to most of my regular activities... cycling, skiing, hiking, etc. Then, about three years later, the pain all came roaring back. I had the Medtronics unit repalces with a NEVRO unit. It never did anything. I think it all has to do with placement of the paddle. It has to be exactly in the "sweet spot" to get optimum pain relief. Apparently, the paddle wasn't quite in the right spot, ccording to the NEVRO rep. Who knows? I'm not a doctor and never played one on TV. I have learned over the past 7 years that YOU have to be your own, best advocate.

I have a Boston Scientific SCS for pain post scoliosis surgery. I’ve had it almost three years. Never once have I gotten any relief from the pain, no matter how many programs adjustments by BS technicians. In fact, I got the feeling after so many attempts, they were really exasperated when I called.
So, as far as BS being the “gold standard” for a SCS, I would not agree, unless, of course, other SCSs are worse.

Thank you Alexis7. The pain management that I use go with the Medtronics.... so I am hoping this give me some relief. I had L5/S1 fusion and everything under the sun to help, with nothing helping. I am personally positive that the pain is coming from my SI-Joint, but no one has a remedy for this. I wanted to come to Mayo, but my insurance will not cover any of it.
A TENS Unit helps some, so I am hoping that the new stimulator will help even better. I am just a little scared to do it..... but living with pain is even scarier.
thank you.

I hope we both get some relief. Since we are the consumer and paying the price (at least our insurance we pay for is paying) , I feel like we should be able to get whatever unit we want, kickbacks be darned. Good luck. Please keep us updated here on this wonderful forum.

I'm just going by what the researcher said. I'm sorry it hasn't worked for you. I think the exasperation might come from the inability to help you. They want their product to work. As a Bone Marrow Transplant ICU nurse, I too would get frustrated when I couldn't help a patient stop vomiting or having diarrhea or bleeding out of every orifice. Will you have it removed? What do your doctor and rep say?

Thank you for your reply, I have hope. My doctor said I should get my life back for at least 5 years - I'll take it, I'm 71 and ready to get going again. Apparently they are like pain medication and our bodies quit responding. 5 years would give me time to get back on the mountains and traveling.
Best regards.

I haven’t seen my doctor in a long time but I do have an upcoming appointment with his ARPN (is that right?). The doctor will probably make an appearance at some time during this appointment, but I’m not sure we’ll be discussing the SCS. Honestly, since it hasn’t helped after the many resettings, I have lost interest in it, not charging it, etc.
As an aside, I saw a pain doctor last week who gave me yet another injection. This only made my pain worse, so much so that I had to go to Urgent Care yesterday. The doc there gave me a shot for pain, and said it “might” help. My experience was that it kind of took away the pain, but the Urgent Care doc said it’d only be temporary.
I have a 15 year odyssey with pain ever since my first scoliosis surgery. In 2008. Percocet was actually my best pain reliever and I never had any issues with my bloodwork. Well, this new pain doc abruptly took me off Percocet, and I’ve had excruciating pain, plus all the withdrawal symptoms you can imagine. But, I digress. I know we were talking about the SCS, but I wanted to give you a brief history of what I’ve been going thru, plus my disappointment with the SCS.
BTW, I admire the fact you’re a nurse trying to help people who sound like their problems are far worse than mine. I just need to count my blessings and say a prayer that those who are suffering will find relief and peace.
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I received my Medtronic SCS in June of this year and it was activated on July 6th. Since that time, I have had three meetings with the technician to try and find a program that will relieve my pain. So far, not much luck. It is all rather disappointing but I am more than willing to work with them to find relief. I had much better relief with the trial than I am having with "the real thing,"

I notice that your post was from January. Has anything improved? I have Medtronic SCS. I had a lot of relief with the test but so far, not much luck with the real thing. I charge my battery daily and it only takes less than 30 minutes even if it is down to 40%. Last night I was down to 60% and it only took 20 minutes to charge. I am wondering if maybe here is a fault with your charger? Just a thought.