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Should I have the Spinal Cord Stimulator? Looking for reviews on this
I have had chronic lower back pain due to lumbar spinal stenosis for over 10-years. I have had multiple therapies and procedures done - including RFA, Epidural steroid injections, a MILD procedure, acupuncture, OT/PT and Chiropractics, as well as an Interspinous spacer and nothing has helped my pain. After all of that, the physician I saw in March's only recommendation was for me to have the Spinal cord stimulator, but I am actually afraid of this and have read that there have been numerous injuries as a result of this implant, and after reviewing the booklet and watching the video I initially felt that it was just to restrictive in terms of how you could move your body. If you have had this procedure please let me know your results. Many thanks.
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Denman, please send me your email, and I will send a reply I sent to another post viewer. I have a SCS, and can tell you in length, away from this forum.
I have had two surgeries with fusions in my lower back. I have tried everything including the spinal cord nerve stimulator. I wanted it to work. It did not. In built up scar tissue within a few months to the point where it had to be removed. I find that Pilates and PT help but I am still in pain - no more surgeries regardless. I wish I knew of a solution.
I have had 2 microdiscectomies and an L4-5 fusion, and I still have back pain. I'm hoping an SCS helps me. Where was your pain, and what fusions did you have?
I had an L4-5 fusion that ended up causing chronic L5 nerve damage. The third neurosurgeon said I might be a candidate for stimulator. I had one installed. You have to be patient. It took six months to get the thing programmed and tweaked perfect for me and it has made a lot of difference. I wish you the best.
Have the trial first. Look over all the different makes of SCS. There quite a few. I had the Medtronics one. The trial is a relatively simple procedue. Lasts 3-5 days. It will give you an idea as to whether it is something you want to go ahead with. I had 70-80% pain reduction with the trial. About 50% with the permanent implant. Still pretty good, along with pain meds, to get my average pain down to a 2-3 on most days. Good enough to get me back to an almost normal daily routine. Do a search for the top-rated SCS. The research I did said that the Boston Scientifie WaveRider stood at the yop of the pile. Good luck!
I too have the Boston Waverider.
I have the Nevro. I got into the final study for it. It's already approved medically, they are just doing the last big trial before market. Anyway, I got 80% relief on the trial and have about the same relief on the permanent implant. It works great on my nerve pain. Not so much on structural pain. I'm very happy with mine, if that helps.
I have Abbott, implanted last year. it appears to be working, and subtle wavelength is better than strong. A previous post mentioned about the trial. Yes, the trial is a good benchmark measure, and for an unknown reason, appears to work well, better than the real thing. I knew about the SCS five years ago, but it took close to two years ago, to make the move, due to the failure of epidurals, and how active I am. I had something "slip" with a great degree of pain as I played in a tennis match. It depends on who the pain management doctor or the neurosurgeon recommends to you. The SCS have come along way from he first seminar I attended in 2019. You shouldn't be in pain, go for it. there is six weeks of down time. I have no knowledge about the Lead Wires or the Paddles the other companies use, yet I have the paddles implanted to allow efficient pain relief. Good Luck, and let us know what you do and how you are.
I am looking into it. How has your experience been?
I believe you are referring to me, Vikkitennis: on a scale of 1-10, I give it an 8. Beforehand, I would rise in the morning, and have shooting pain, steming from the lower back. After recovery, I don't have that anymore. I am physically fit, playing competitive sports at age 69, and work out 3-4 hours a day, sometimes 5. I do have a nagging pain on my left lower spine, but that is due to scoliosis. The neurosurgeon referred me to a scoliosis neurosurgeon, and in three years the curvature has progressed. All I can do is stay fit and eat well: osteopenia is genetic, and I am doing the best I can on that avenue. I control my weight, and keep stress to a minimum. the SCS Eterna requires charging about every six weeks, and usually you can do so when you are reading or watching tv. I don't take the charging unit with me on trips, as I am rarely gone for less than a month. It is MRI compatible, yet it takes longer for imaging; a CT can do the job just fine. Going through airport security requires a pat-down, yet in Phoenix, they are challenged with staff, and I turn it to surgical mode beforehand. The rep programmed the controller onto my iPhone, and I can check the charge status and turn it on or off with the app. The "paddle" wires in the upper spine, sending the pain wavelength to the brain to have it stop, causes mild irritation with irritation, but after a few scratches, I am good. I had the latest Abbott model Burst I believe implanted first, February 2023, ye the unit was too large for my small frame, causing sciatica. it was removed in July 2023, and the Eterna was implanted. I forget about I have it installed.
I do encourage patients to look a their options, interview the neurosurgeons (I interviewed three: two neurosurgeons, one an orthopedist) and make your decision. The neuro I chose has done hundreds of them, and I liked his manner. Let me know if you have further questions, and good luck.