Hello, what device are you talking about? I have chronic leg pain. Nor sure if it is from dystonia, Parkinsons, or sciatica. Would I be eligible if I have DBS?

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I’ve had a Medtronic SCS since 2011 and it’s been a god send for my leg pain following two back surgeries. You would be first given a trial to see if the device is effective for your pain before a permanent device would be implanted. If it doesn’t help your pain then you’ll know not to proceed with a permanent implant.

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Hi, over the years I’ve had 3 dorsal column Stimulators (2 made by Medtronic the other by Nevro). I found them to be quite affective however please be very stringent in researching any kind of implanted pain device because many of them are not MRI Compatable. I ended up having emergency surgery to have my all my devices and leads removed so I could receive treatment for severe spinal instability.
I’d been complaining of my back feeling like a concertina that was going to collapse at any time. Of course I didn’t know at the time but that was exactly what was happening. One day I lost bowel/bladder control and it suddenly became a medical emergency. The devices were removed, MRI performed and before I knew it I was having a 6 level spinal fusion.
Even if you are told the device is MEI Compatable ring a few radiology/imaging places and ask then if they do MRI’s with pain devices. Many won’t even though some device company’s approve them. 9 mths prior to my back surgery I had brain surgery across the other side of Australia because no radiology would do a Cranial MRI where I live. Over 4000 to be able to have an MRI.

My pain specialist who put the stimulator in was hesitant to remove it because it was so difficult to put in in the first place. Perhaps if it had been removed earlier I wouldn’t have ended up with such complex circumstances surrounding both brain and spinal surgery. It’s important to remember that if you need one of these devices you probably have chronic pain and your condition may require ongoing imaging to monitor whatever condition it. Please check and double check the information you’re given, I would hate anyone to have to go through what I did

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Goof Advice

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I recently talked with my surgeon at my 8 month post operation appointment. of my 2 level lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Everything looks good and my bones are fusing. However, my pain continues and is probably worse or as bad as before surgery. He as suggested a Nevro spinal cord stimulator. So, I would like to know how successful it has been. If it would take care of continued post operation pain? I could not find any current independent data, only manufacture data. I am a little skeptical as this seems a billion dollars business. Sometimes money gets in the way of truthful information. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

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I asked my pain magma doc and with the Stim wave was no problem with mri , or taking out if necessary. But, I will double check on both aspects anyway,and thanx for the good advice. Hope you are doing better and sounds like you went through hell.

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Sadly I have never met anyone that underwent a fusion and especially at the lumbar levels that was relieved from pain. Just made them worse. I handled workers compensation claims for over 20 years….never had a complaint get better but ended up with a spinal cord stimulator and eventually removed because the people complained of more pain and some developed infections. The doctors termed them with “Failed back syndrome. Hopefully you can get relief and find a doctor that cares and knows what they are doing. Money is the driving force for many of these surgeries and devices.

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Sadly I have never met anyone that underwent a fusion and especially at the lumbar levels that was relieved from pain. Just made them worse. I handled workers compensation claims for over 20 years….never had a complaint get better but ended up with a spinal cord stimulator and eventually removed because the people complained of more pain and some developed infections. The doctors termed them with “Failed back syndrome. Hopefully you can get relief and find a doctor that cares and knows what they are doing. Money is the driving force for many of these surgeries and devices.

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You are probably right because I had 2 fusions and it's not any better than it first started 10 years ago. It keeps growing like a tree. That is so much scar tissue that is you're always going to have pain. Just doing some nerve burning I need to see what that would do to keep my fingers crossed. Don't do stimulator exclamation!

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