MayoClinic.org
Has anyone tried the HF10 Spinal Cord Stimulation Device?
Has anyone tried a device called HF10 ? It’s a device which stimulates your spinal cord to help relieve back and leg pain. After a trial period of about a week, if the patient is achieving good results the device is implanted in the person. My pain management doctor has recommended it to me for arm and hand nerve pain. I would like to hear from anyone who has used this device and especially from anyone who has used it for arm and hand pain. Thank you.
I had two foot surgeries, 2016 and 2018.and as a result the nerves were damaged and possibly scar tissue. As a result I have chronic pain in the toes of my right foot. I tried all traditional remedies with negative result. I was told by a doctor that perhaps SCS but be helpful. Late last spring I had the 5 day trial of Medtronic made by Boston Scientific.The pain from the implantation of the leads were very painful and may have camoflouged the pain in my toes. I was kind of talked into by the surgeon and the rep that the Medtronic has helped people with chronic foot pain and they in of pressured me to get a permanent put in. I I only got a slight relief from the pain in the toes and I think the device was causing back pain. So, about 7 or 8 weeks later I had it removed. After researching it. I don't think the Medtronic is effective for the feet. I am now talking to a doctor who does the DRG (dorsal root ganglion) made by Abbott. That is suppose to be more effective for the legs and possibly the feet which are controlled by L-5 and S-1. That's were the leads are suppose to be placed. But, the drawback as mentioned by earlier statements. MRI's only for the head and extremities. The generator/battery is supposed to be guarenteed for five years.
@martyk
I'd advise caution in proceeding further with the DRG until you read about @lorirenee1 Lori Renee's experience with hers (also from Abbott). She has written extensively about it this past 6 months or so. I believe she got hers back in July and has had poor performance from it. She has new pain now in different areas than she had originally and she believes it is from the DRG. Please do your research (or at least look for Lori's posts) before going ahead.
One more point I'd like to make along these lines, and what I am going to say is my own theory, which might be incorrect. I know that when I research something and read different reviews from people, I tend to find significantly more negative reviews than positive, I think because it is human nature to feel disposed toward writing a review if one is unhappy rather than if they are happy customers. And one may tend to get a view of something that is skewed to the downside because of this. It might be the case that in reality more people are helped by a thing than might be inferred by the preponderance of this more negative-leaning feedback. I guess my point is one should neither go forward full steam ahead or put on the brakes immediately based on reading a few reviews. I know my feeling about having a stimulator implanted (for my wife) is that she should NOT have one done and she feels the same, because it seems like what I have read about them on Connect is about 90% failures. But for someone who is seriously in need of a solution for their intolerable pain, it's best to read EVERYTHING you can get your hands on before deciding. Fortunately for my wife, she is not at a level of desperation that she feels the need of doing that much research, and she is very reticent to have any surgery for implantation of any such stimulator device.
Best, Hank
Thanks Hank. I read an article by a Jason M. Highsmith, M.D. who states that he does over 100 SCS surgeries stated SCS is useful in treating complex regional pain syndrome which is relatively uncommon for of chronic pain.
Patients with CRPS, SCS should be used soon after diagnosis because the success rates plummet if pain persists for more than a year. This is because the pain pathways become rewired in people who have CRPS for more than a year or two years, making it harder to reverse the condition. Marty
I'm interested in Stimwave SCS too. The battery is not implanted. It's worn out side of your body,.I heard you have to take it off before showering and swimming. Marty
Thank you Patti. I'm glad it worked for you.
Hi Quark, did you have the Stimwave implanted? If so, how is working for your pain? Marty
I'm considering the Abbott Proclaim XR for the chronic pain I have in my toes from two foot surgeries. Has anyone used one and what are your recommendations? Thanks, Marty
I tried Boston Scientific I believe the wave writer. It only reduced my foot pain by about 10% and caused a little back pain. I had it removed after about 7 to 8 weeks. I'm now researching other companies who manufacture SCS's.
Yes, I heard that if you are going to get the permanent implant and you wear a belt, you should put on the belt you usually wear it and mark a spot under the belt on the side were the generator/battery will be positioned. I hope this helps the guys.
Hello. I have not personally tried it. My best friend did and woke up from the anesthesia screaming, she felt like she was being electrocuted. The Doctor had forgotten it to turn the device off/down before installing under skin. She yells it from the roof tops DO NO TAKE THE RISK>she still suffers every day. When we are in chronic pain we will try anything, but we must learn from others. SO Sorry. I know in this 22 century and we still can not get pain relief.
Crucial word TRIAL. I stay away from trials.
Thank you