Hello @jacque45, We added the brand to your discussion title to help members with experience find your discussion and hopefully share any experience they have using the stimulator. I'm tagging @bettyg81pain who has posted in other discussions and may have some experience with the Saluda spinal cord stimulator.
Had a Boston Scientific spinal stimulation implanted Nov. 24.
A minimum of 80% pain relief.
The medical provider told me they like Boston as the battery seems to last longer. Don’t know if that is fact. So far it’s been life changing. After 3 surgeries starting at age 30, now I’m 69.
Had every injection possible. 3 years of ablations, this was the answer. You will be pleased.
Dear Jacque, I believe that each physique is different. I have experienced excruciating pain in the epigastric region of my abdomen beginning in 2014. Yes, I visited Mayo for the 1st time in 2015. I tried Mayo neurologist in 7/20 but he declared mine was not nerve related. The chronology of it all is too much to list here. In April '24 a neurologist implanted a Boston spinal cord stimulator. For a year I tried everything that various Boston-reps suggested. I got zero pain reduction. In Dec. '24 the same neurologist expressed, "I take them out all the time". It is now out. I still deal with daily pain that is often overwhelming. I have attempted twice to see a stomach surgeon at Mayo even as recently as last year. They sent a letter telling me that they have so many patients that they don't have a vacancy for me. This was despite a referral from Abbott. I always thought Mayo wanted to attempt to help with complicated issues. I would appreciate an app't to Mayo if there is anyone on this link that can help. Jacque, I hope you find relief.
Had a Boston Scientific spinal stimulation implanted Nov. 24.
A minimum of 80% pain relief.
The medical provider told me they like Boston as the battery seems to last longer. Don’t know if that is fact. So far it’s been life changing. After 3 surgeries starting at age 30, now I’m 69.
Had every injection possible. 3 years of ablations, this was the answer. You will be pleased.
Hi, can you tell us what part of your body were the pain is located? I'm happy to hear thgat you got %80 relief with Boston Scientific. Did you have or still have any parathesia with your spinal cord stimulator? Thank you for sharing.
No parathesia. My lower back is decimated. Anything that could be wrong I have. I’ve had sciatica in both legs. Surgeries were successful in alleviating most of that. But I continued to have acute pain across the lower back, hip to hip. Intense pain in my left hip that wrapped around towards the front of my thigh to my knee, to the ankle.
As I said, the stimulator wiped out at minimum 80%.
I’m also convinced physical therapy is a must. I spend an hour 4 days a week doing PT to strengthen my core, my legs, as my knees are arthritic with torn meniscus’s and my left hip is arthritic with a few spurs.
Right hip was replaced in Nov. 2022. Both shoulders are arthritic with very bad years of the rotator cuff’s. I also do yoga once a week.
The surgery is pretty much easy peasy. Post op pain isn’t that bad. After 2 weeks you’ll be ready for pretty much anything.
4-6 weeks you’ll be doing great.
Dear Jacque, I believe that each physique is different. I have experienced excruciating pain in the epigastric region of my abdomen beginning in 2014. Yes, I visited Mayo for the 1st time in 2015. I tried Mayo neurologist in 7/20 but he declared mine was not nerve related. The chronology of it all is too much to list here. In April '24 a neurologist implanted a Boston spinal cord stimulator. For a year I tried everything that various Boston-reps suggested. I got zero pain reduction. In Dec. '24 the same neurologist expressed, "I take them out all the time". It is now out. I still deal with daily pain that is often overwhelming. I have attempted twice to see a stomach surgeon at Mayo even as recently as last year. They sent a letter telling me that they have so many patients that they don't have a vacancy for me. This was despite a referral from Abbott. I always thought Mayo wanted to attempt to help with complicated issues. I would appreciate an app't to Mayo if there is anyone on this link that can help. Jacque, I hope you find relief.
Are you saying the same surgeon who recommended the SCS implanted it, and then after trying everything to get it to work, he says “I take them out all the time.”? And then he took it out?? Did it feel like the manufacturer Reps were driving the boat the whole time?
The main reason I have declined multiple suggestions to try SCS is because it always felt like Medtronic / Boston / Abbott / Nervo / etc. was in charge of the process and the doctors merely put them in and take them out.
Yes, the same neurosurgeon who suggested I have it implanted was the same Dr. who removed it. Yes, in reply to my wife's questioning him about taking the SCS out he promptly replied, "Yes, I take them out all the time". I am not blaming him for it not helping. It simply did not. Yet, I have heard of folks whom it helped. In my humble opinion I do not think that the 1-week "test period" is long enough to make a sound decision about whether or not your pain was reduced. Heck, implanting the darn thing involved a significant spinal surgery with a significant incision(s). If you ever underwent spine surgery you might know that it is far from painless. As with any surgery the post-op discomfort was significant enough that I was given perhaps 6 or 7 oxycodone pills. I thought it was noteworthy that even before he implanted the SCS for the "test" period they scheduled me for the final surgery 1-week afterwards. There was no doubt that they planned to implant the battery, etc. even beforehand. When I returned to have it removed the surgeon agreed that due to the surgical pain from the test period it is difficult for patients to say for sure that their pain had been reduced. I believe that I was soooo desperate for the "test" to reduce my pain that I said my pain had been reduced when, in reality I did not know. NOTE: In your case it might reduce your pain just as it is designed to. Obviously, for many people they help. In my case, it did not.
Hi everyone, thanks for all the comments. My pain specialist trialed me with a Boston brand two years ago. It was attached to the exterior of my body, and the trial was 4 weeks long with constant checks weekly on the wound area and daily phone calls with the Boston rep. The trial I am going to try is called 'Saluda', it was developed in Australia and quite new. This one will be the same amount of time for trial 3 - 4 weeks at least before the device is put under my skin! I dont understand any surgeon who would do the implant straight away without a longer trial. I was told that each company is different and sometimes you need to trial 2 - 4 types to find the one that works for you. Saluda sounds good because you dont need to use a remote control everyday, your own body adjusts to the stimulator by itself. I will let everyone know how this goes!
No parathesia. My lower back is decimated. Anything that could be wrong I have. I’ve had sciatica in both legs. Surgeries were successful in alleviating most of that. But I continued to have acute pain across the lower back, hip to hip. Intense pain in my left hip that wrapped around towards the front of my thigh to my knee, to the ankle.
As I said, the stimulator wiped out at minimum 80%.
I’m also convinced physical therapy is a must. I spend an hour 4 days a week doing PT to strengthen my core, my legs, as my knees are arthritic with torn meniscus’s and my left hip is arthritic with a few spurs.
Right hip was replaced in Nov. 2022. Both shoulders are arthritic with very bad years of the rotator cuff’s. I also do yoga once a week.
The surgery is pretty much easy peasy. Post op pain isn’t that bad. After 2 weeks you’ll be ready for pretty much anything.
4-6 weeks you’ll be doing great.
Dear Jacque, I believe that each physique is different. I have experienced excruciating pain in the epigastric region of my abdomen beginning in 2014. Yes, I visited Mayo for the 1st time in 2015. I tried Mayo neurologist in 7/20 but he declared mine was not nerve related. The chronology of it all is too much to list here. In April '24 a neurologist implanted a Boston spinal cord stimulator. For a year I tried everything that various Boston-reps suggested. I got zero pain reduction. In Dec. '24 the same neurologist expressed, "I take them out all the time". It is now out. I still deal with daily pain that is often overwhelming. I have attempted twice to see a stomach surgeon at Mayo even as recently as last year. They sent a letter telling me that they have so many patients that they don't have a vacancy for me. This was despite a referral from Abbott. I always thought Mayo wanted to attempt to help with complicated issues. I would appreciate an app't to Mayo if there is anyone on this link that can help. Jacque, I hope you find relief.
Hello,
Your story is similar to mine! Sorry to hear. Could I PM you. I had an injury to epigastric abdomen 2010...languished in bed for 6 yrs to get small surgery to repair torn muscle.
Have severe epigastric pain now, also contacted Mayo, was declined.
Stimulator placed last Sept. all these months later I am back bedridden, it messed with my nerves so badly.
I do have some other info. Maybe of use to you...I wrote on another blog, so you may have seen another post of mine. My epigastric pain is like yours overwhelming and life altering...some days I just want to sleep thru the pain. Trying to get my Stimulator out, causes me great pain, especially battery pack. Thnk you sharing.
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Hello @jacque45, We added the brand to your discussion title to help members with experience find your discussion and hopefully share any experience they have using the stimulator. I'm tagging @bettyg81pain who has posted in other discussions and may have some experience with the Saluda spinal cord stimulator.
For more information on the device, here is the manufacturer's website - https://www.saludamedical.com/.
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1 ReactionHad a Boston Scientific spinal stimulation implanted Nov. 24.
A minimum of 80% pain relief.
The medical provider told me they like Boston as the battery seems to last longer. Don’t know if that is fact. So far it’s been life changing. After 3 surgeries starting at age 30, now I’m 69.
Had every injection possible. 3 years of ablations, this was the answer. You will be pleased.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsDear Jacque, I believe that each physique is different. I have experienced excruciating pain in the epigastric region of my abdomen beginning in 2014. Yes, I visited Mayo for the 1st time in 2015. I tried Mayo neurologist in 7/20 but he declared mine was not nerve related. The chronology of it all is too much to list here. In April '24 a neurologist implanted a Boston spinal cord stimulator. For a year I tried everything that various Boston-reps suggested. I got zero pain reduction. In Dec. '24 the same neurologist expressed, "I take them out all the time". It is now out. I still deal with daily pain that is often overwhelming. I have attempted twice to see a stomach surgeon at Mayo even as recently as last year. They sent a letter telling me that they have so many patients that they don't have a vacancy for me. This was despite a referral from Abbott. I always thought Mayo wanted to attempt to help with complicated issues. I would appreciate an app't to Mayo if there is anyone on this link that can help. Jacque, I hope you find relief.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi, can you tell us what part of your body were the pain is located? I'm happy to hear thgat you got %80 relief with Boston Scientific. Did you have or still have any parathesia with your spinal cord stimulator? Thank you for sharing.
No parathesia. My lower back is decimated. Anything that could be wrong I have. I’ve had sciatica in both legs. Surgeries were successful in alleviating most of that. But I continued to have acute pain across the lower back, hip to hip. Intense pain in my left hip that wrapped around towards the front of my thigh to my knee, to the ankle.
As I said, the stimulator wiped out at minimum 80%.
I’m also convinced physical therapy is a must. I spend an hour 4 days a week doing PT to strengthen my core, my legs, as my knees are arthritic with torn meniscus’s and my left hip is arthritic with a few spurs.
Right hip was replaced in Nov. 2022. Both shoulders are arthritic with very bad years of the rotator cuff’s. I also do yoga once a week.
The surgery is pretty much easy peasy. Post op pain isn’t that bad. After 2 weeks you’ll be ready for pretty much anything.
4-6 weeks you’ll be doing great.
Are you saying the same surgeon who recommended the SCS implanted it, and then after trying everything to get it to work, he says “I take them out all the time.”? And then he took it out?? Did it feel like the manufacturer Reps were driving the boat the whole time?
The main reason I have declined multiple suggestions to try SCS is because it always felt like Medtronic / Boston / Abbott / Nervo / etc. was in charge of the process and the doctors merely put them in and take them out.
Yes, the same neurosurgeon who suggested I have it implanted was the same Dr. who removed it. Yes, in reply to my wife's questioning him about taking the SCS out he promptly replied, "Yes, I take them out all the time". I am not blaming him for it not helping. It simply did not. Yet, I have heard of folks whom it helped. In my humble opinion I do not think that the 1-week "test period" is long enough to make a sound decision about whether or not your pain was reduced. Heck, implanting the darn thing involved a significant spinal surgery with a significant incision(s). If you ever underwent spine surgery you might know that it is far from painless. As with any surgery the post-op discomfort was significant enough that I was given perhaps 6 or 7 oxycodone pills. I thought it was noteworthy that even before he implanted the SCS for the "test" period they scheduled me for the final surgery 1-week afterwards. There was no doubt that they planned to implant the battery, etc. even beforehand. When I returned to have it removed the surgeon agreed that due to the surgical pain from the test period it is difficult for patients to say for sure that their pain had been reduced. I believe that I was soooo desperate for the "test" to reduce my pain that I said my pain had been reduced when, in reality I did not know. NOTE: In your case it might reduce your pain just as it is designed to. Obviously, for many people they help. In my case, it did not.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi everyone, thanks for all the comments. My pain specialist trialed me with a Boston brand two years ago. It was attached to the exterior of my body, and the trial was 4 weeks long with constant checks weekly on the wound area and daily phone calls with the Boston rep. The trial I am going to try is called 'Saluda', it was developed in Australia and quite new. This one will be the same amount of time for trial 3 - 4 weeks at least before the device is put under my skin! I dont understand any surgeon who would do the implant straight away without a longer trial. I was told that each company is different and sometimes you need to trial 2 - 4 types to find the one that works for you. Saluda sounds good because you dont need to use a remote control everyday, your own body adjusts to the stimulator by itself. I will let everyone know how this goes!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reactiongood to hear positive news! I will be happy if I get 50% reduction in pain.
Hello,
Your story is similar to mine! Sorry to hear. Could I PM you. I had an injury to epigastric abdomen 2010...languished in bed for 6 yrs to get small surgery to repair torn muscle.
Have severe epigastric pain now, also contacted Mayo, was declined.
Stimulator placed last Sept. all these months later I am back bedridden, it messed with my nerves so badly.
I do have some other info. Maybe of use to you...I wrote on another blog, so you may have seen another post of mine. My epigastric pain is like yours overwhelming and life altering...some days I just want to sleep thru the pain. Trying to get my Stimulator out, causes me great pain, especially battery pack. Thnk you sharing.