Comparison of Spinal Cord Stimulators from Boston Sci., Nevro

I’m definitely interested in hearing more about this.

Following

I've had the stimulator for five years and it has taking my pain down 80 percent. I go to the bwca and work with EBD children and have to keep them safe, I just went in because of new issues and they reprogrammed my stimulator and upgraded firmware. Now I have to go thru the new programs and notice what they help with and what they don't. Then they can combine all info to one program and bingo I hope no pain in thigh. Go for it. It is better than drugs and surgery I think

This is very interesting! I had my first NEVRO placed 7.5 years ago and about 2 years ago it started shocking me - badly! They swore it was impossible to be shocked but after three months of screaming in restaurants, church, stores, home, and other places where my body involuntarily responded to the shock I insisted it be replaced and it was. Unfortunately I did not listen to my doctors who warned me that NEVRO was experiencing significant employee turnover and customer support issues as well as quality issues with the newer products. All of these have affected me significantly since I had the new NEVRO stimulator placed about 1.5 years ago. It is next to impossible to get a call back for program updates - or any other issue for that matter! For example, the charger for my stimulator failed yesterday and I left messages over two days and zero response so my pain level has escalated. I have also read another person’s post on the same charger-failure issue and he was told it would take 2 WEEKS to get a new charger! Seriously? They can’t spend money to overnight a charger? I am calling my surgeons tomorrow to find a way to replace this NEVRO device with one from a different company. I did not have this invasive and risky surgery done to have an uncomfortable bulge in back with no benefit.

I experienced sudden and severe bilateral nerve damage in both legs and feet in December 2022, due to peripheral neuropathy. I suffered constant excruciating pain and muscle spasms for almost a year, which required me to use a walker and wheelchair. I literally could not stand up, wear socks or shoes, or put a blanket over my feet, without screaming in pain. My mother had to assist me with showering and getting dressed. (And I am in my mid-40's!)

After extensive testing, my neurologist said that I would be a perfect candidate for the NEVRO HFX SCS, and after undergoing the pre-operative tests (including an MRI of mid-spine and a mental evaluation), they placed the temporary SCS in November 2023, which was a complete game changer for me. My pain went from an 18 out of 10, to just a 2 out of 10!

So then the permanent SCS was placed in December 2023, and it has brought me about 80% pain relief, overall! I still deal with constant bilateral heaviness, numbness, tingling, and false sensations in my legs/feet every day, but no longer require the use of a wheelchair or walker! And I have been able to cut back on Gabapentin (for the nerve pain) from 1800 mg to only 300 mg per day.

My "Nevro team" returns my calls within 6 hours, if I have questions or am in need of an adjustment of remote control settings.

I would recommend the Nevro HFX SCS to anyone who suffers peripheral neuropathy!

Nevro has been ordered for me, I have tried Boston and another that did little. How were you told to get help when it shocked you? This is beyond medically correct! I will talk to my doctor about what support I will have before I have the trial.
Thank you so much for this info.

Please keep in mind NEVRO has had an F rating & is NOT accredited by the BBB. From VERY painful experience...it is almost impossible to reach your "coach" & they are so careless it almost seems spiteful. (I'm sure this is not everyone's experience, but it has been mine & the BBB seems to agree)

I was just reading your issues with being shocked. I had the implant installed September 2024. I’m still trying to find the program that gives me the best relief. About a month ago I started getting random shocks nothing crazy but all over my body. Occasionally I’ll get a shock that’s a bit much and I’ll let out a yell. Could you explain how yours started and how long it was before it became unbearable? Thanks!

Reading the comments from HFX users stating that they get occasional shocks...I had a Medtronics SCS implanted back in 2018. It worked fairly well in reducing my pain for about two and a half years. I remember the first time I laid down on my back on a hard surface. Ouch!! It was truly a shocking experience. The paddle would get pushed against the spinal cord causing the shock. I learned to turn the unit off whenever I was going to do any work while lying on my back.
From what I read in 2021, the HFX was supposed to eliminate those shocking feelings. I guess such may not be the case. Users may also have to turn the unit off at times as I learned to do.

December 31,2024 I had my Nevro HFX iQ spinal cord stimulator implanted. I chose to use the app with my iphone vs hand control. It's been a very interesting experience. Now beginning my 8th month post op.
It took about 4 months to heal to a point where the area where my modulator is no longer sensitive when touched, and never "shocked" me. I do still use my "eggcrate" foam back square when sitting on the wooden pew at church.
I never experienced what you did. I'm currently charging my implant with the charger pad while writing to you. I do my online assessments daily which is monitored by the Nevro corp and forwarded to my pain MD. If I need my stimulation increased (you don't feel it) the app will trigger you to change to the next level.
I see the Nevro tech at my MDs office every three months.
I couldn't be happier with the results. But you have to actively participate.
Implant change in ten years, minor op procedure. Mariette