Comparison of Spinal Cord Stimulators from Boston Sci., Nevro

Posted by elsa @elsa, Jul 26, 2020

I've lived with severe chronic pain in my legs and lumbar spine for the past ten years. Was on opiates for 8 years until I attended & graduated from Mayo's 3-week Pain Rehab Program in 2018. That program helped immensely and I got off 5 meds I used to take, including morphine and hydrocodone. Unfortunately, in the last year my spine health has worsened. I now have a toxic mix of scar tissue (from a dural tear during a microdiscectomy), stenosis at multiple levels, bulging discs and scoliosis. I am now scheduled to do a trial of Boston Scientific's "Wave Writer" SCS on August 10, 2020. Unfortunately my doctor did not guide me in the selection of this manufacturer/model. I did my own research. I considered doing trials of Nevro's HF-10 and Boston Scientific's Wave Writer. Finally decided on the Wave Writer.
I'm posting here to ask for people's knowledge of and/or experience with these two SCS's. Please reply if you can share any information. Thanks!

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Profile picture for spudmato @spudmato

I've had two facet injections, and an ablation (both with limited success. PT and subsequent exercise causes a significant increase in pain generated from a compressed L3 nerve. I have a iRelieve tens unit which has had very limited results; how similar are the results of a SCS, which I have already been cleared for as the nest step.
A problem for me is that my Pain management doctor wants to move forward, but my spinal surgeon wants to insert a rod, and screws, and advises against the SCC. (UGH disagreements). My PCP sides with the pain management doctor. (The spine surgeon has operated n my back in the past), A conundrum.

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Apolpgies in advance for a long post....
I had a bad back injury decades ago and two orthopedic surgeons told me that I'd be in hospital, in traction, every sixth months until I finally had surgery and papaya [rather, papain therefrom] injections. A third, orthopedic guy showed me his and my X-rays and CT results and explained why he did not have surgery despite having essentially the same stack of herniated discs, explaining "We're not there yet for an assured good surgical result." He was the orthopedic surgeon and consultant for the U.S. Olympic ski team at the time. So I figured he knew something about spines.. and he knew all the best surgeons if he dud decide to have surgery someday. He sent me to his acupuncturist and physical therapy and I actually was disciplined enough, for once, to do the back exercises he recommended.

I was never hospitalized or in traction again. I have no pain but a back X-ray would show a slight offset in my spine. I saw another orthopedic years later for a knee injured while sailing and asked about the back. He asked if it hurts, I said no, and he said let sleeping dogs lie.

The then-trendy treatment of papain injections has since fallen out of favor from what I've read since due to negative outcomes.

A TENS unit did help at the time, maybe more to distract my attention from the worst pain. It became a kind of security blanket to help fall asleep at night. I later gave it to a friend and it knocked out migraine pain for him.

The best thing I did was buy an inexpensive kneeling chair. It automatically put my spine in the correct alignment. And helped my posture.

This is take it for what it's worth tale but I believe that consulting with a contrarian's argument about a proposed serious medical step spared me some unintended consequences. Since medical science is evolving at breakneck speed, a great solution might be just around the corner.

Can you take both paths? That is get pain management, which can provide relief that might allow a rethink of options and clearer head to maybe take the surgical path a bit later anyway? Pain surely affected my thinking and was also exhausting. It narrowed my world down a lot.

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Profile picture for lasirvent @lasirvent

I have a drg stimulator for abdominal nerve damage from undiagnosed mals. The trial was 75% pain free and after 4 months, I’m only getting 35-40% ( which is better than nothing) but I’m sad that the trial gave me false hopes.

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Perhaps it needs to be adjusted again. I had a SCS Boston Scientific about 1 1/2 years ago. I had pretty bad pain in my right foot from 2 prior surgeries. I only got about 25% relief and I didn't like the parathesia. No pain, but I found it annoying. So, a couple of months later I had it removed. No big deal. I heard afterward that Boston Scientific is good for the legs or feet. I works for torso problems. I'm considering Nevro or DRG. You can have your SCS removed, wait a few months and try another trial for a different one. I have been told that Nevro or DRG does not have parathesia. Good luck. You deserve better than 40% relief. The DRG does not need daily charging like Nevro or Boston Scientific (Medtronic).

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Profile picture for martyk @martyk

Perhaps it needs to be adjusted again. I had a SCS Boston Scientific about 1 1/2 years ago. I had pretty bad pain in my right foot from 2 prior surgeries. I only got about 25% relief and I didn't like the parathesia. No pain, but I found it annoying. So, a couple of months later I had it removed. No big deal. I heard afterward that Boston Scientific is good for the legs or feet. I works for torso problems. I'm considering Nevro or DRG. You can have your SCS removed, wait a few months and try another trial for a different one. I have been told that Nevro or DRG does not have parathesia. Good luck. You deserve better than 40% relief. The DRG does not need daily charging like Nevro or Boston Scientific (Medtronic).

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That should say that Boston Scientific is not effective for Leg and foot pain, I found that out after it was implanted. But, some say it is good for pain in the torso area. Sorry

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Profile picture for callalloo @callalloo

Apolpgies in advance for a long post....
I had a bad back injury decades ago and two orthopedic surgeons told me that I'd be in hospital, in traction, every sixth months until I finally had surgery and papaya [rather, papain therefrom] injections. A third, orthopedic guy showed me his and my X-rays and CT results and explained why he did not have surgery despite having essentially the same stack of herniated discs, explaining "We're not there yet for an assured good surgical result." He was the orthopedic surgeon and consultant for the U.S. Olympic ski team at the time. So I figured he knew something about spines.. and he knew all the best surgeons if he dud decide to have surgery someday. He sent me to his acupuncturist and physical therapy and I actually was disciplined enough, for once, to do the back exercises he recommended.

I was never hospitalized or in traction again. I have no pain but a back X-ray would show a slight offset in my spine. I saw another orthopedic years later for a knee injured while sailing and asked about the back. He asked if it hurts, I said no, and he said let sleeping dogs lie.

The then-trendy treatment of papain injections has since fallen out of favor from what I've read since due to negative outcomes.

A TENS unit did help at the time, maybe more to distract my attention from the worst pain. It became a kind of security blanket to help fall asleep at night. I later gave it to a friend and it knocked out migraine pain for him.

The best thing I did was buy an inexpensive kneeling chair. It automatically put my spine in the correct alignment. And helped my posture.

This is take it for what it's worth tale but I believe that consulting with a contrarian's argument about a proposed serious medical step spared me some unintended consequences. Since medical science is evolving at breakneck speed, a great solution might be just around the corner.

Can you take both paths? That is get pain management, which can provide relief that might allow a rethink of options and clearer head to maybe take the surgical path a bit later anyway? Pain surely affected my thinking and was also exhausting. It narrowed my world down a lot.

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I had a trial inpudendal nerve. It didn't even make it to recovery room. Doc will try again and put in3 leads. Maybe it will work. I'm totally housebound and sit on ice to numb the pain.

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Profile picture for callalloo @callalloo

Apolpgies in advance for a long post....
I had a bad back injury decades ago and two orthopedic surgeons told me that I'd be in hospital, in traction, every sixth months until I finally had surgery and papaya [rather, papain therefrom] injections. A third, orthopedic guy showed me his and my X-rays and CT results and explained why he did not have surgery despite having essentially the same stack of herniated discs, explaining "We're not there yet for an assured good surgical result." He was the orthopedic surgeon and consultant for the U.S. Olympic ski team at the time. So I figured he knew something about spines.. and he knew all the best surgeons if he dud decide to have surgery someday. He sent me to his acupuncturist and physical therapy and I actually was disciplined enough, for once, to do the back exercises he recommended.

I was never hospitalized or in traction again. I have no pain but a back X-ray would show a slight offset in my spine. I saw another orthopedic years later for a knee injured while sailing and asked about the back. He asked if it hurts, I said no, and he said let sleeping dogs lie.

The then-trendy treatment of papain injections has since fallen out of favor from what I've read since due to negative outcomes.

A TENS unit did help at the time, maybe more to distract my attention from the worst pain. It became a kind of security blanket to help fall asleep at night. I later gave it to a friend and it knocked out migraine pain for him.

The best thing I did was buy an inexpensive kneeling chair. It automatically put my spine in the correct alignment. And helped my posture.

This is take it for what it's worth tale but I believe that consulting with a contrarian's argument about a proposed serious medical step spared me some unintended consequences. Since medical science is evolving at breakneck speed, a great solution might be just around the corner.

Can you take both paths? That is get pain management, which can provide relief that might allow a rethink of options and clearer head to maybe take the surgical path a bit later anyway? Pain surely affected my thinking and was also exhausting. It narrowed my world down a lot.

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An MD said there is reason why the profession is referred to as medical arts and not science.

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Profile picture for glenjunderwood @glenjunderwood

My name is Glen and i have had the Nevro HF10 spinal stimulator implanted since Sept 1, 2021 and the company rep hasn't been able to dial it in on my terrible lower back pain yet. I have complete confidence in this unit because the temporary one that they inserted worked unbelievably well. It's been 6 months and counting with no relief thus far. I'm hoping to reach out and hear from anyone out there about their experiences with this Nevro unit. Please help if you can! Thank You!

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I have a pain stimulator and now I have been told that the stimulator doesn’t work on S1 pain. The only way I receive any relief is to lie flat in bed. Here is hoping that the S1 gives me some relief.

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Profile picture for kschadewald2 @kschadewald2

I have a pain stimulator and now I have been told that the stimulator doesn’t work on S1 pain. The only way I receive any relief is to lie flat in bed. Here is hoping that the S1 gives me some relief.

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Are you talking about a 10s unit ?

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Profile picture for slavmauve @slavmauve

I am curious. Did you get the Nevro implant?

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Yes, I got the Nevro HF10 implanted on 9/1/21 it is now4/22/22 and still no relief. Keep the faith they keep telling me. Have you had any relief yet from your 11/21 Nevro Implant? I sure hope so!

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Elsa, did you give the Wave writer by Boston Scientific a try? If, so, how did it go? Thanks,

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Profile picture for martyk @martyk

Elsa, did you give the Wave writer by Boston Scientific a try? If, so, how did it go? Thanks,

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I would also be interested in the results.

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