Is there anyone still in this forum?
Hi Tammy
Yes there are people like myself searching for answers to how things are likely to be once you've had a spinal cord stimulator fitted. I have read lots of for's & against messages so and I have to say I'm confused but also desperate to be rid of the majority of the pain in my lower back so I've got to be willing to try anything!!
Well I read A LOT on here and the Nevro don't sound so good. I was wondering about the St Jude & the Medtronic? I'm sure they all have pro's & con's but I would like to see what people have to say.
I have to make a decission with in the next few weeks. ugh
Have you gotten any ideas of what your going to get?
Hi Tammy
I am here and recently been through the procedure.
What do you want to know??
Where do you live, I'm in the UK but things differ from place to place.
George (UK)
Hi Buggsy,
Well my Dr. has 3 brands that he likes to use and they are Nevro, St. Jude and Medtronic. After reading this forum for like an hour the Nevro does not seem to be that great so do you know anything about the other 2.
He actually wants me to call the reps and ask questions but I have no clue of what to ask...
Hi Tammy
I guess you in the USA??
Can I ask what your symptoms are?? Do you take meds if so which ones, have you had any operations yet.?
I had 2 devices, one was a low frequency but I don't remember the name, this didn't work for me, due to the vibrations you get I had really bad pain from the device under my rib cage, the then changed it over to the nevro HF 10, I got 60% less pain in left leg but nothing in my right or back so they classed it as a fail, so they said all I can have pain meds going forward, which totally sucks.
George
Sorry about that, yes I am in the US, Louisiana. I have had 6 Epidural Steroid Injections, Rhizotomy on both sides, a Discography, I have Laminectomy which are the 2 cages that replace L3-L4 & L4-L5. Laminectomy for Herniated Disc.
Now I still have cronic lower back pain and both legs go numb. I have fallen twice because of the legs. So he want's to try this. Yes I am on Percocet, Femtamul Patch and a muscle relaxer. Did I miss anything?
I had the Nevro inplanted about 5 months ago and Mayo is still adjusting it. I have no vibrations or pain as some are experiencing with the others. It, so far, has decreased my pain by 20% and am still on Hydrocondin. Marie
I have the Boston Scientific version as it has wireless charging and up to 4 wires with 32 contact points each. Based on my research h no other option was even close. It is installed in my spine between the shoulder blades and recovery us time consuming and painful. It has been 5 months and though I am doing better still am very aware if implant and problems from it. It does help me with the pain I was having by at least 50 percent when on. New pain offset savings up to about right now so hoping to keep going forward from here.
One thing of note is once the Neuro Surgeon does his release he is done with you so make sure you are good prior to letting him release you or else you will be searching for help you will be hard pressed to get.
O
I had the Medtronic spinal stim for almost 1 year and it only helped my leg pain, not my low back. They removed it and replaced it with the new Nevro HF10 . I was the first person in Grand Rapids,Mi to get the device and this is by far the worst one. It does nothing for my back or my legs. They have exhausted all programs and I will be having it removed in December. These devices are supposed to fool your brain and make you think there is no pain. Well, mine is not fooled so after removal, I will be trying a peripheral nerve stimulator placed directly in my lumbar region. It's a week trial just like the spinal stims and will have a battery implant if I like it. Now that I think about it, this makes sense to place it where the pain is. I have more back pain than I do leg pain so I'm all for it. I was told that it's like a Tens Unit,but inside your body. I hope this helps.
Hey Tammy
When you had the laminectomy, did your pain go for a short time or stayed the same or got worse.?
I had similar to you, l3/4/5 and S1, I had discectomies and a annular tare. Had these repaired and a fair amount of my pain went away, about 6 weeks later the pain came back and my discs had bulges again, i then had a spinal fusion but sadly this failed to take, I have 8 rods, 8 screws and 3 cages. My last chance was to go for the spinal cord stimulator, over here we had to do a 2 week input program about learning to live with pain, how the device worked, what to expect etc etc. Then I had the trial, but they said they didn't work, this was done in September.
I started talking to a guy on here who is a Dr and was asking peoples review of the SCS, I emailed him privately and asked why they didn't try the Boston scientific, I have been back to the team this week to ask about it but they seemed reluctant to use it so waved me goodby. After doing a little more reading and trolling around the net it seems that the Boston scientific device is actually the best one to go for.
I know reps try to sell different options, I assume they get funded to promote them. !!!
I have been told by a few people that my local hospital gets a very large sum of money from Nevro to use there HF10 device, to help with they budgets.
Whatever you decide I hope it works for you :-)
Yes I am
Tammy1123
Yes
Cynthia ( Cindy)
Hi just spotted your mail, I'm in the uk, had nevro h10 implant 3 months ago. The trial(10days)went well, this is not working and I'm struggling. Still on same medication, still got leg and lower back pain. Unable to sit or lie properly because of battery pack. Switched it off for first time today. Seems pointless. Pain clinic next week, will discuss way forward, would like to get rid of it. Such a terrible waste. What is your take on it ?
wendy
I've had the Nevro for about 5 months. It's not perfect (it's not suppose to be). The Rep keeps adjusting it. The trial for me, like you, went well. A week ago the Rep had me turn it completely off so we could get a better idea of how much relief it's giving me. My best "guesstimate" would be it's decreasing my pain by 20%. In the test, it decreased my pain by 50-70%. My battery pack does not bother me at all. I'm very comfortable when I'm sitting or laying down; just when I'm standing or walking am I in pain. Don't give up. Your Spine area is a very large area. Good luck. Marie
I might add, I'm in the US marie
Thanks for the reply, I'm still switched off, feel more relaxed, that could well be psychological as I have pinned so much faith in this working especially as the trial was text book. I'm surprised it took much more charge switched off than when it was on? Apart from the lack of pain relief I've struggled with the implants, my hip pushes into the battery wherever I sit (best description) and the anchors T6/7 press back into chair bed etc. my only advice to date is to put on a stone! Not quite a quick fix. Clinic next week 3 month review. It doesn't work for everyone but it was worth the try and I'm not beaten yet.
wendy
That's very weird. I absolutely do not feel the implants. I don't understand what you mean "put on a stone". When I feel the pain is when I'm walking or standing. I can sit on anything and lay down on anything & feel comfortable. Do you have a Nevro Rep you can contact? My Rep has been very responsive. Most of the time we communicate by phone but once we met when I had an appointment in the Pain Clinic at Mayo & Friday he came to my home to do some adjustments. Just "bug" them. You have some answers due you. Good luck. Marie
Wendy21608,
I was considered a failed SCS of Nevro hf 10 so my pain management doctor was going to try the st Jude's but after I had a shot of steroids in my neck I went down like I was being electrocuted, called the rep nothing from him so I called the Drs answering service and they put me through to a aprn who did not know me or what was going on so shd got snotty and said there's nothing I can do for you not like geez let me get I'm touch with the doctor since you just had that done and he can figure something out, nope I got well go to the er or call the office in the morning cause I can't do nothing for you. I was like I am just a frigging number to u and hung up, do I did some research. My own called Nevro in California and I found out that even though my unit is off there is still current going through the unit when I was lied to by the rep and the dr. I was so upset as I trusted everyone of these people with my livelihood and they lost all my trust unfortunately I do have to have it taken out as they think it's my fusion as it's been over 20 years since I had my fusion done, I'm so scared my surgery is the 8th and than I have to have MRI as with the Nevro you can't have MRIs as they aren't compatible with the machines and I had a cat scan and it was inconclusive to see anything as you can not see anything in a cat scan so fingers crossed that they will be able to see what's going on back there every time I move something makes like a clicking noise and the pain is so bad I can't feel my right side of my face from the steroid injection its numb my arms my legs and back I'm probably looking at another fusion as I have been telling them for 2 years since this stimulator has been in and it's been nothing but pain and noone listening to me, also never went to the pysch exam the push that under the rug all I know is please look into all the units before making a life changing experience I had to have a revision surgery as the first battery was put in wrong pushing out of my back and was right on my pant line I was in bed for 3 months in a depression noone wanted to listen either...just be careful...
Lots of luck coming your way as I can't wait for for Thursday for this to come out and do what has to be done....ugh
Good luck keep us in the loop as I well let everyone know what the find out with me.
Cynthia ( Cindy) USA Connecticut