Anyone had an Abbott SCS put in? BurstDR strength setting?

What kind of device did they give you that you had to wear a waist band for six weeks?

It is an Abbott Neuro stimulator.
I was told by my pain doctor to wear it 24/7. Supposedly they have had people who failed to keep to the restrictions and the battery moved from its intended place. The band is supposed to guard against that to some extent.

Hi Joe, I am on my 5 th week with the Abbott Neuro stimulator . I would say that I have gotten good relief from mine. Most of my worse pain was in my right thigh from the main nerve. That has gone away as of this date. The recovery kind of stinks for these because you cannot do much at all for 6 weeks. I still have lower back pain that I am not sure is really helping to be honest but that may not be nerves, my back is a mess with fractures and bulged disks after having a Laminectomy on my L3,4,5.
My surgeon gave me two options, either the Stimulator, or a cage system major back surgery in which he tends to avoid if at all possible. I am only 5 weeks in so time will tell, there are mixed reviews on most if not all the companies that sell the stimulator option. It’s definitely not a perfect solution but less evasive than a major back surgery with rods, plates and screws, I will avoid that as long as I can stand the pain. As I sit here in my recliner with a burst setting at 12 which is low, I have no pain but if I stand or walk for an extended period of time, I hurt but much less than before. I would say do your homework and read reviews and find a good qualified Pain doctor or Neurosurgeon surgeon who has done a lot of these implants, you don’t want a newbe doing it for sure.
Hope you find the right person to go to.

Hi
I’ve had mine since June 4 th. I’m still working with my rep to find a good setting. I think it may take a while. Also, the permanent device which was implanted and the leads took time to heal. I may be still healing or so I’m told.
After all that I’m happy I did it.

I'm just at the beginning stage of getting a Spinal Cord Stimulation. Have even gotten to the trial period yet but in the process of doing so. My pain only happens when I move, i.e., stand for more than 5-7 minutes, bend, walk without my rollator, lift things, twist at my waist. I have about 6 broken vertebras. Do you think the SCS would be of any help to me? My doctor has tried everything else, every injection he can do. When I do something that causes the pain I must sit down in my recliner or lay down because the pain is unbearable. As soon as I get to my recliner or bed the pain subsides within 5 minutes. But the moment I get back up and try to continue with what I was doing the pain comes right back. It's so weird the way my movements causes such pain. Do you think the SCS would stop the pain when I make those types of body movements so that I wouldn't have to sit or lay down until the pain passes? I can no longer stand and cook my food at the stove anymore or wash just a few dishes. I don't know if you know the answers to my questions but I had to ask. I do wish you well and hope that you quickly find the right thing that will work for you. I was an Abbott employee for 20 years and was very disappointed to hear that the rep was not helping you. That wasn't the case when I worked there. But times do change over the years since I retired. Our Sales Reps were the best when I worked there and I'm so sorry to hear you're not getting the best from them now. Good luck to you with whatever you and your doctors decide on. I pray your next plan of treatment is the one that will keep you pain free.

I had an Abbott spinal implant implanted last February. Although the device has significantly reduced my back pain I was experiencing a burning sensation where the battery is implanted. I was told that the problem is I’m fairly thin so the battery is literally sitting under the skin. You can actually see the form of the battery sitting under my skin.

Back in April the Surgeon reseated the battery so it’s a little deeper. Again he didn’t have much to work with. The reseating seemed to help. I felt the battery but it wasn’t painful. A couple of weeks ago the burning sensation came back. When I stand for long periods of time or walk the battery site hurts pretty bad. I had gone to a wake so was standing for a couple of hours. By the time I got to the car I couldn’t sit back against the car seat the pain was so bad.

I contacted the Rep who suggested I see the Surgeon. I’ll make the appointment but I’m not sure if there’s anything more he can do. The Abbott Rep offered to attend the visit to possibly advise the Surgeon.

In as much as I’d prefer not to have the device removed I’m not sure if I have any other options. Has anyone experienced the same issue? If so what did you do?

@cathyn1958
Good Morning Cathy,
I too had an Abbott SCS implanted 02/2023. It was the newest device then, and non-chargeable. I thought it would be an answer, as I met with the reps several times to add programs, but it was removed 03/2025.
I am also slim, and it was obvious as it is with your frame. I had the device removed to place a smaller unit, yet chargeable. As much as you don't want another surgery, you might want to opt for the smaller unit.
I discovered on an overseas trip, when turning it off, the device didn't help, as I had it off for three weeks (!) without my knowledge, until I was to charge it.

I have an Abbott Eterna implanted and am also pretty thin (BMI = 20). In general, it doesn't bother me, but I'm careful to avoid excessive pressure over the battery. My belt sometimes sits right at the top of my battery and aggravates me.

I have an Abbott stimulator for about 1 1/2 years (placed before any surgeries). I had the smallest unit they made implanted as I am small and fairly thin. You can feel where the leads are in my back and easily see the battery pack. They bother me when I sit against something hard where the leads are but it's more of an annoyance rather terribly painful. Mine is one I have to charge as the rechargeable battery was much larger. I only have to charge about every 2 months so that is not really an issue. The real problem is that it hasn't helped. I am scheduled for a major back surgery in February and the leads will be removed. I was told when I did the trial, I would be able to do everything I wanted to do to test the stimulator, but when the leads were placed temporarily, I actually couldn't do much or it would have been pulled out and wouldn't work so the test was useless in my opinion.
My father-in-law had a stimulator and did feel like he got some relief. He had had three failed back surgeries.
Good luck getting some relief.

@jwgard I have been talked to about it but didn't get it done. But now from accident in 23 and smashing my femur, Dr now wants to put a stimulator in my femur area for 60 days to retrain the way your brain receives pain. Its called SPRINT PROCEDURE. Ever heard of it anyone? I've had so many surgeries on this left leg still chronic pain. Kinda last resort. Help if anyone has done this? Thanks