I have had my spinal cord stimulator since May and I am having a lot of nausea. I have to keep soda crackers with me all the time. The SCS was put in after I had ongoing pain after my spinal fusion. I had an injury from an auto accident. I have had issues with the settings put on the control box by the rep as well. I had to push for setting changes to alleviate sharp shock like symptoms as it was stimulating. There is poor follow up by the reps after the SCS are put in. It seems their goal is to sell the stimulators but the patient is forgotten when it comes to legitimate reportable symptoms and follow up care.
What brand is the stimulator.
TreasureNurse would you mind telling us which SCS you had put in.
I agree about follow up care. I've had myStimulator in for about 2 months and the Nevro Rep just keeps adjusting it. I feel like an experiment.
Have you had any relief yet and how bad was the surgery?
The Nevro Rep down played the surgery. He was wrong. It was surgery to implant the Stimulator. They do a test where they just tape the wires to see if the Stimulator will be effective for you. The test decreased my pain by 50-70%. When they placed the permanent one in place it didn't do the same. Hence, the adjusting. I'm still hopeful.
Protege by St Jude
Protege by St Jude
My post op time from surgery was painful. The staff at the hospital lacked an understanding of what my surgery was and were very rude whenever I said I had pain. They totally lacked knowledge of spinal stimulators. I could not turn to the staff for help. It has been almost 5 months since surgery and I do get good pain relief from the stimulator. I just had an adjustment done to the settings so it is better now. I think the reps need to be more attentive to the new patients who are just starting out and help guide them through.
It has taken 5 months to get a good adjustment on my stimulator. I felt played down as well while the rep was commenting on my questions. He did not want to admit I needed an adjustment. But after the adjustment the pain was decreased. They act like patients dont know anything ao they try ro tell you an answer that is not right. I let him know right then and there what I was feeling and that it was not a "mind issue" like he was trying to insinuate. My stimulator had not been set right and he was trying to avoid responsibility.
I am on my second stimulator. No contact from rep at all
First one they took out after three weeks. Had to wait about five weeks to heal. They just did another implant. Same thing is happening when they removed the first one. A lot of pain, can't even turn on know until I heal because they are concerned if will cause infection because battery heats up when on only he 1 degree enough to bread bacteria. So they put the second one last week they admittted me to hospital for 5 days to The debreed the surgical area around the battery. In a lot of pain still draining, unit still not on. Trying to get the truth.
They probably have your stimulator set for tonic which is a constant flow of a tingling sensation and pulsating throughout your leg and back. There is also a Burst setting which incorporates the two where youfeel no sensation. I do not know what stimulator you have. Let me know. I did the NERVO TRIAL with no relief. I just completed BURST by St. Judes Hospital. It is a full 7 day trial. I was reprogrammed after 5 days and on day 6 I got my first relief. We recorded the settings and it is in my nice little apple I phone for when I get it put in permanently.. shouled be hearing from the Surgeon for my first consult and then a surgical date. I must admit I am more nervous as the modulator will be implanted under the skin. They just need to know which side you want it on. Being a right side sleeper I opted for the left side just near the top the the butt. The reps for both the trials I was in have been remarkable and have gone above and beyone even coming to my home for over an hour and reprogramming it. Don't give up. Be firm with your pain management Dr. I didn't have to be she was and is always one step ahead of me. Keep me posted.
What stimulator do you have?
Do you have muscle spasms around ribs to stomach? Sounds like what I had and still do 10 months after I had scs removed. I also have leg weakness and shoulder muscle pulling down into chest. The nausea subsided but was so bad I got gas up into throat really terrible bad! Please anyone find out what is happening let me know. Hope ypu find relief!
I apologize that I am just now seeing your reply. My new pain Dr wants me to do the trial for the St Jude with Burst, is that the same one you have? How are you doing?
Hi. My stim is out and on the 17th of. Feb. I have my first surgical consult. I can't wait. Oh the pain is back tenfold. While I had the stim in it was working. So my advice is go for it. You have nothing to lose,
Dee
I have a nevro
I am so sorry that your pain is back "tenfold", did they say why your pain is worse after having the stimulator out? Is the St Jude Protegie the same one that they are calling the St Jude with Burst? I am not a candidate for more surgeries so my choices are stay on strong meds or get a pain stimulator.
I wish you well on your surgery.
Hi the pain is worse as once they take it out cause there is no stimulation to control the pain. Once I have the surgery, I hope for positive results. I shall keep you posted.
Dee
I just had my St. Jude upgraded to Burst mode. The tech said that if we set it too high, my nerves will get over stimulated and cause nausea. So that may be what's happening to you. I hope you've gotten it resolved by now, but if you haven't, please check with your tech...