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Anyone had an Abbott SCS put in? BurstDR strength setting?
I'm curious to know what strength setting your spinal cord stimulator is set at for anyone implanted with an Abbott device that uses BurstDR technology.
I had a good trial and significant pain reduction after my permanent implant, but feel like the device has become less effective over time. I'm now 6 months post-op and feel like the device is no longer providing much relief at all.
I have a follow up appointment with my surgeon and the device rep in two weeks but want to experiment with different settings between now and then. However, I know it's possible to overstimulate the nerves and create irritation and pain at settings that are too high. My initial strength setting was at 7, then I increased to 8 a couple of weeks post-op. I briefly increased to 9 after a muscle spasm flare up and then returned back to 8.
I felt a little more confident experimenting with settings on my Medtronic device with tonic stimulation, but the Abbott BurstDR technology is more difficult to determine the delayed impact of adjustments due to the lack of paresthesia.
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As I’ve said before here, if the SCS isn’t alleviating your pain & it’s causing other issues have it removed! I had the Boston Scientific SCS in 2021 & it never helped. Taking my orthopedic pain Dr’s advice, I had it removed this past February. I know it works for some, but I didn’t want a “foreign body” in my back that I continued to charge weekly & got no relief!
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1 ReactionAfter much contemplation, I decided on the Abbott Burst in 12/22. Trial performed well, as many people will tell you, yet there is much research to conduct with the SCS once implanted. Burst implant was 2/2023.
epidurals, PT, not ablation (I don't know why the pain management doctor has not considered: could be due to the spinal fusion of L4-S1 in 12/2015) I went for the Abbott. I have been aware of the stimulator since 2019, but waited until much improvements and testing were performed to consider being a candidate.
The Burst was too obtrusive on my slim frame, so another surgery to insert the Eterna. That was 7/2023. Device seemed to work, had several re-programing with the reps, but didn't get to pain going down the leg. I had an MRI to further examine the demise of the spine, and discovered the levoscoiosis has progressed to a 20%, where the curve is concentrated on the left side. I am quite active, and I knew with stretching (more PT) and continue with the sports I love would keep the pain at bay. The stimulator was turned off when going through airport security in October, and I neglected to turn it back on. Oh My! it made me think there wasn't a difference, SCS or not. I met with the neurosurgeon this week, and he told me it performs for 50% of the population, and I gave it "more than a college try" of which I felt good about, and wasn't flippant and decided in two weeks to end it all. Device will be removed in February 2025, and I will go from there. I am able to play tennis, pickleball, walk and ride my bike, while lifting moderate weights. I turn 70 March 2025. What a road to the upcoming birthday!
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1 ReactionYes
Implant went fine.
Representative service is very very poor to bad for the dr that did so great work!!!!!
My wife has had 4 major surgery's last twenty yrs no help were hoping this would do
It probably take it out
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1 ReactionHi, I'm experiencing similar issues with my SCS and I've decided to have it taken out. I'm curious ig you've had your surgery done and how you feel now?
@celispine I just wanted to welcome you to Connect. I don’t have experience with spinal cord stimulation, but I am a spine surgery patient.
Hi. Has anyone had the Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulator put in? I am going to have a temporary one put on and then decide if I want the implant. It scares me!! I have a very messed up back. I didn't want to do Spinal Fusion Surgery so I lived with the pain and now it's more. From what I understand, if it doesn't work or if it hurts, it can readily be removed. Thank you so much in advance!
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1 ReactionHas anyone had the Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulator?
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1 ReactionWhat is an SCS? I've had a Discectomy which shaves off the bulging part of your disc and a Laminectomy which removes the lamina to open up the spinal canal because I have spinal stenosis.
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1 ReactionNot yet.
Surgery was pushed back to 3/28/25.
I scheduled a trip, and the surgical team told me it wasn’t a good idea to travel so soon after the SCS is removed.
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1 ReactionI just had a paddle lead proclaim Abbott’s spinal cord stimulator placed. In the 3 weeks that it has been in I have had 95% pain relief at the L4/L5 level. It turned itself off one time during the night and I woke up at 4 AM with 7/10 pain, which was the level of pain I had before the surgery. I grabbed my I phone, got it turned back on and within about 15 minutes I was back to zero out of 10 pain. It is still early but so far great! I have questions still for the rep but can wait until the post op visit . I hope that I don’t have the problem that some have written about not being able to get in touch with the rep months later. I’m sorry you are having trouble getting MRIs. I have had 4 back surgeries too and had trouble finding a neurosurgeon willing to put the spinal cord stimulator in. I’m 72 yrs old and on Medicare advantage plan and had to find a neurosurgeon in network. When I had trouble finding my rep before the surgery (I didn’t know his name), I called the local Southern California Abbott office and they put out a blanket email to all their reps and mine called back!). Good luck to you- maybe you could do the same and request a new rep!