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

Posted by denman55 @denman55, Jun 5, 2023

I have had chronic lower back pain due to lumbar spinal stenosis for over 10-years. I have had multiple therapies and procedures done - including RFA, Epidural steroid injections, a MILD procedure, acupuncture, OT/PT and Chiropractics, as well as an Interspinous spacer and nothing has helped my pain. After all of that, the physician I saw in March's only recommendation was for me to have the Spinal cord stimulator, but I am actually afraid of this and have read that there have been numerous injuries as a result of this implant, and after reviewing the booklet and watching the video I initially felt that it was just to restrictive in terms of how you could move your body. If you have had this procedure please let me know your results. Many thanks.

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coash55 | @coash55 | Aug 6, 2023
In reply to @denman55 "You're not getting the SCS because you have pain medication. I do not have pain medication..." + (show)
@denman55

You're not getting the SCS because you have pain medication. I do not have pain medication and it is not available or prescribed in my area, or my state, so the SCS is my only option to get some sort of pain relief from this pain that I have suffered for well over 10-years. I initially refused to have the SCS - three times, when offered by Pain Management Physicians. I'm an RN, I've done all the research, the reading, watched the video and read the booklet. And I made the decision that No, I was not getting this SCS. But ...after spending months having PT, acupuncture, Chiropractics, having Epidural Steroid Injections, an Interspinous spacer, and a MILD procedure only to find that nothing worked for me in reducing my pain......I have no other option available to me to at least do the trial of the SCS. It does actually scare the heck out of me, because I've read all the horror stories out there.......but maybe I need to look for some success stories too.

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I had 3 failed neck surgeries and my low back is really bad to. Herniated l3, l4 and l5 disc's. Been on pain meds for 12 years. I had the neck spiral cord stimulator put in 2017. Best thing I ever did! I just had a 2nd put in my low back 4 days ago. I was very scared! The neck one saved my life. I'm hoping the 2nd will save my back to now. Everyone is different. I tried everything out there before doing this. Make sure you go to a reputable surgeon. I just wanted to share my story.

Christine

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martyk | @martyk | Aug 7, 2023

I originally had pain in the toes of my right foot from 2 failed surgeries. I have had four SCS trials in the past three years. The first one made by Boston Scientific gave me substantial pain relief in my toes so I allowed them to place a permanent one in my lower back on the right side. Everything went well with the surgery. I hardly noticed the generator inside of my body. However, there was parathesia associated with that company. After trying to adjust it with the rep for two months to rid me of the parathesia, I had them take it out. No problem doing that. The parathesia was not painful, just annoying. Perhaps in hindsight I should have given it another month or two before having it removed. Before the trial you have to be cleared by a physcologist. That can be done over the phone, My insurance wouldn't pay and that cost me $100. A couple of people with foot and leg problems they got significant relief with the Abbott SCS.

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pita12345 | @pita12345 | Aug 7, 2023
In reply to @gcranor "They don’t work" + (show)
@gcranor

They don’t work

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Can you be more specific as to why?

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bribootsie | @bribootsie | Aug 7, 2023

I have had lower back pain for 50 years. Last year I had the stimulator put in. They required that I achieved at least 60% reduction in pain with the trial stimulator. Although pain is very subjective, we established that I had a 70% reduction.
I believe that I truly achieved that with the stimulator. Sometimes I wonder if I am really getting relief, but, when the stimulators power is at it's lowest level, the difference in pain relief is very noticeable.
Beside the need to weekly recharge it, I don't notice that I even have it. You must realize that it is not intended to be 100% relief.

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rjones404 | @rjones404 | Jan 5 10:17pm
In reply to @slg3245 "I'm so sorry you are going through this. I actually just finished my trial with the..." + (show)
@slg3245

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.

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Hello Sig3245,

I am faced with Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar Stenosis, and my balance is really messed up. I won't go into all of it for time sake. But, I am glad to hear that your trial with the Abbott system worked. Can you tell me which one you received? My concern is that there seems to be some rumbling's that the Abbott SCS isn't MRI compatible? Also, after hours of research, i came upon the WaveWriter which is supposed to be MRI safe. Can you elaborate?

Thanks,

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2 replies
vincescs | @vincescs | Jan 6 6:39am
In reply to @rjones404 "Hello Sig3245, I am faced with Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar Stenosis, and my balance is really messed..." + (show)
@rjones404

Hello Sig3245,

I am faced with Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar Stenosis, and my balance is really messed up. I won't go into all of it for time sake. But, I am glad to hear that your trial with the Abbott system worked. Can you tell me which one you received? My concern is that there seems to be some rumbling's that the Abbott SCS isn't MRI compatible? Also, after hours of research, i came upon the WaveWriter which is supposed to be MRI safe. Can you elaborate?

Thanks,

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I have the Abbott Eterna device, which is full-body MRI compatible. You can confirm this from the clinician's manual if you go to the "Healthcare Professionals" section of the Abbott website.

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bunnybear | @bunnybear | Jan 6 6:55am

I have the Nevro and am very thankful for it. You must be willing to accept that they do not magically remove all pain. But for me at least, it made the difference of staying in bed most of the day to being able to be up and about much of, or most of the time. You have to establish a contact with the company’s rep and work with them on getting a setting that does you the most good. And follow their instructions about how long to leave a new setting before changing anything. I was very impatient at first and thought I could do the tech’s job myself. Overall, getting the SCS has been incredibly helpful.

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alexis7 | @alexis7 | Jan 6 10:08am
In reply to @rjones404 "Hello Sig3245, I am faced with Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar Stenosis, and my balance is really messed..." + (show)
@rjones404

Hello Sig3245,

I am faced with Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar Stenosis, and my balance is really messed up. I won't go into all of it for time sake. But, I am glad to hear that your trial with the Abbott system worked. Can you tell me which one you received? My concern is that there seems to be some rumbling's that the Abbott SCS isn't MRI compatible? Also, after hours of research, i came upon the WaveWriter which is supposed to be MRI safe. Can you elaborate?

Thanks,

Jump to this post

I have the WaveWriter and it is compatible with certain MRI machines and I think you must be prone or supine - no standing. The facility I use for imaging plans on getting an MRI that can be used with SCS, but there are other places that can accommodate me, they just don't have access to all my previous studies.

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1 reply
heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Jan 6 10:39am

Like most medical devices, a SCS will work quite well for some people, while not so much for others. Mine was the Medtronics unit. I did the 3-5 day trial,and it reduced my pain level by about 80%. I went ahead with the permanent implant, but it provided less relief, about 50% relief. That was still enough to make life more liveable. Yes, there was that parathesis when I would lie down on a hard surface, but, I learned to shut the device off if I knew that I woud be working on my back for an extended period of time. The effects of the unit usually last for an hour or so after you turn it off. That was my experience.

5

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