Spinal Cord Implant

I had a Boston Scientific spinal cord stimulator implanted to treat CRPS for approximately four years. I want to share an update regarding my experience. My CRPS has gone into remission, which I believe is primarily due to eliminating sugar and gluten from my diet. My guiding principle was, if God didn’t make it, I didn’t eat it. Additionally, I stopped eating red meats, much to my satisfaction. Again, currently I am in remission.

Despite this positive development, I want to share my experience with thediscomfort related to the Boston Scientific spinal cord stimulator, which was designed to stimulate my legs and feet. The device was implanted in my flank, on my back. During the time I had the stimulator in place, I noticed several issues that I now realize were directly caused by the device.

Firstly, I experienced severe backaches—both localized around the implant site and radiating into the surrounding area. These pains intensified after the stimulator’s battery depleted and I began recharging it. Secondly, I struggled with an incontinence issue, characterized by minimal warning before needing to race to the bathroom. After the stimulator was recently removed, both the backache and the incontinence problem completely resolved.

Another significant issue was the development of severe tendinitis in both legs and feet. Remarkably, this condition has improved significantly since the device was taken out. I firmly believe that the placement of the stimulator should have been in my buttocks rather than near my internal organs.

Since I feel it would be unproductive to discuss my concerns with Boston Scientific directly, I am sharing my thoughts here in case others with flank-placed stimulators encounter similar issues.

A few months prior, I consulted with my pain management specialist, who brought in a representative from Boston Scientific. That representative claimed to be unaware of anyone experiencing the problems I described. When I followed up and requested the removal of the implant, the rep arrived late for my appointment—likely due to heavy traffic—and initially dismissed my concerns. However, upon further discussion, she acknowledged that she was aware of similar issues.

While I am grateful for having had the stimulator, I am equally relieved that it has now been removed. If I could go back in time, I would have the device re-implanted but insisted that it be placed in my gluteal area instead of near my internal organs.