Spinal Cord Stimulator rejection with hives,swelling and itching?

I had my Nevro Senza stimulator trial on 12/29/2015 and the permanent implant on 1/07/2016. One week after I broke out in hives, my hands swelled up as well as my groin area,ears,face,armpits etc. I also have severe itching, acid reflux, which I've never had, joint pain and very tired. I've been to the ER 3 times in the last week and they found out that my white blood cells are extreamly elevated. I am on my steroids now but weaning down and my hands are beginning to itch again and a rash is appearing on my neck. Maybe I am allergic to the metal they use in the battery, I'm not sure. I contacted the rep and the surgeon and they both think it's highly unlikely. I have done nothing different in my diet,laundry,environment etc. Anybody else out there that has had a reaction to an implant. I do want to mention that I had a Medtronic stim for 7 months and that did not help with my low back pain. I was without it for about 1 year before I was told of this new HF10 device from the UK. I am the first patient in Grand Rapids,Mi to have this implanted. Please help.

Hi Guy:

Thanks for reaching out and since I am here talking to you for the first time I just want to say that you are not the first one that are having these problems. Others here that I have been in contact with are also having problems as well. However, they differ. I dont know much about this new SCS and I couldn't even begin to give an explanation of why you are expperiencing these counteractions. I know it sucks but I was thinking of getting it too. Now I am very leery in doing it. I'm no doctor so I can't comment on these problems. I can only voice my own opinion and get involved with medical reasons. So here goes! What if the placement of the leads in the spine is not exactly where it was placed? In otherwords is it possible that it is interacting with other nerves? The are bundles of them placed in a sheath which protect the nerves. As sensitive they are and so close togeher, can lead displacement or nerves not being where they are supposed to be causing varios conditions that you didn't experience previously. That I couldn't say as I am not an expert in the nervous system only what I learned in college taking anatomy and physiology. The nervous system was the exciting part of the human body. Anyway, this is my theory and whether I am right or wrong, I couldn't say. I know I am enough of an intellegent person who wants to base my theories. I am not srepping on any toes here as I am just explaining my viewpoints and everything I have written is in general. I'm just saying. I have the original older version of the SCS and I am not happy with it. I had it done 2 years ago and doesn't have the rechargable battery. The controller looks like it was manufactured when the first transistors appeared. That is not the point I am getting at. The reason why I am disenchanted with the stimulator is because of feeling the constant buzzing in my legs and groin. The problem is the buzzing is not stable and intensity increases whenI move to a different position, turning, bending, twisting and even in the toilet defacating. How about that for explicity? I had the trail and I thought that it also take care of my lower back. My back wasn't touched. I just turned the damn thing off and has been so for 6 months now. As far as getting bad reactions, I didnt observe any. Healing was fairly rapid and the doctor gave me hydrocodone with acetaminophen and no more. All that shows is large bumpiness on my right waist. I have a few other problems with disabilities such as spinal stenosis, periperal neuropathy. psiorisis, leg edema, and fibromyalgia with chronic fatigue and lots of pain to go along with it. That is it and just want to say to investigate it and if you find what is causing the problem, I certainly would like to know. Meanwhile, hang in there and feel good. Please keep me posted.

mel

Hi guy

Firstly sorry to hear you are unwell.

I can't offer any advice for you but I am keen to hear what others say as I am having the HF10 device fitted in coming weeks, it's my last grasp at having something to help with my leg and feet pain but my surgeon said it wouldn't help with the back pain. I am having this fitted at st Thomas hospital London which is the largest pain clininc development centre in the world and my consultant said they helped build the hf10.

George

Thank you for responding and I hope you get feeling better as well. I had the medtronics stim for low back and it did nothing for my low back pain either. The rep tried everything possible and I even had the leads moved which made it worse. I also would get shocks during times it should have been stable. They told me that when everything healed it wouldn't do that. Well after 7 months or so I had it removed. The funny thing is, the HF10 is helping with my back pain and there is no buzzing or shocking. I have done a lot of research and think that I may be allergic to the metal used in this new stim unit. There is a test called the MELISA METAL TEST and I'm going to see if I can get that done. My hives are about 95% gone, but my hands are itching like crazy. I have 3 more days of steroids so we will see what happens. I will keep everyone posted.

I was told it would help my back pain and not my leg pain. That's odd. All I can say is you are your own advocate and please do your research. The HF 10 is helping with my back pain, but I think my body is rejecting the implant. I see my family doctor tomorrow so I will see what he has to say. Good luck and thanks for responding.

Thanks Guy

It will be very interesting to see what outcome you get re allergic reaction.

I had double level spinal fusion 2014 and sadly the surgery has failed, and it has caused damage to nerves etc hence all the leg and feet pain. I am having it due to this pain and my surgeon said it only helps with this type of pain so it's a interest that you are getting help with your back pain and not leg, think I need to do more research.

Keep in touch

Regards

George

Yes, please do your research and I will update as soon as I know something. Get well soon!

Thanks and you too.

Hi guy

i hav had my nevro implant 5 yrs now at begining i did hav iching and a rash but it calmed down after a while as for lead movement the nevro technicians can check this with their software, it is possible to get lead migration/movement at the early stages of implanted device.if you are having problem contact nevro team or hospital you had implant done ask to see them to check this out , they may do an xray , they want the device to work , as for any other questions regarding device they should be able to answer them .

I was one of first 30 in uk to hav this device on trial not looked back since

hope this helps colin

Colin

was your rash/itching localized at the site of the battery?

Hi Colin

Can I ask I am due to have this device fitted in next few weeks, I was told it would only help with leg pain and not my back pain, but Guy said he was told the opposite. How has it worked for you and what type surgery dos you have before, I have failed spinal fusion of lower back and it has also damaged the nerves hence all the new leg and feet pain.

Thanks for any advice

George

The NEVRO HF10 is designed to help with back AND leg pain. Just had implant 3 days ago. Time will tell...

Hi Guy:

I was using my tablet in writing to you but right in the middle the stupid tablet decided to wipe out everything that I wrote. This happened numerous times and just plain sucks. Then it also flashes and behaves erratically. Now I am using my phone as a last resort. Meanwhile it is typing very smoothly. I hope it stays that way. The disadvantage though are the keys you poke are small and I noticed now there are ads. I never saw that before. At least it is not blocking my writing space. Well thanks for reply and I am glad you are doing your research. I didn't realize that the Nevro was non metallic but then can you be having this allergic reaction? Maybe it is is the element in the material that causes it. Let me know please what is found? What is the Milissa metal test and what happens if it tests positive? Would that mean the materials used can be defective? Anything new that can go wrong over time. If it weren't for that allergic reaction that you having, you would be happier. These are some of the things that have to be brought out so others can see it whether they will get the HF-10. You can't beat these forums for that. I would say consumer beware. I really do hope that the doctors can get everything fixed for you. Stay well and waiting for your reply.

mel

Mel

 

I don't believe there is something wrong with the device, it's a possibility of what is is made of. The Melisa test will test a person for metal allergies,but I'm still not sure where to get it done at. I am going to my family doc today and going to ask him. My hands and ear lobs are still itching and I only have 3 days left of steroids at half a pill weaning down. I will keep you posted. When I was a child my mother had to put clear nail polish on the back of my wrist watch so my wrist wouldn't break out. I will find out what it is made of and post later tonight.

Again I say, NEVRO HF10 deals with BOTH leg and back pain.

Kilee

Yes i was using charge connection against my skin now charging through clothes

Colin

my hives/rash was an all over body reaction,but has gone away while on steroids. The itching hands and ears have returned since I am weaning off. I am being sent to an allergist for metal allergy testing.

Sorry to hear that.

I had SCS surgery, the trial was on May 17, 2016 and 2nd surgery was on May 24, 2016. Right next day (right after when they implanted the battery) of my surgery  (5/25/2016) I am haveing same issues. I never ever had any kind of allergy all my life . It's over month now and still I am not getting help at all. 

Surgeon and SCS Co. suppose to find out that why it's happening but instead of that my surgeon no longer want to be my surgeon because for about 12 days when me, my family, the doctor from Urgent care tried to reach him, his PA and his whole staff and no response at all. And than he calls me after 14 days and says that he had no idea, no body say nothing about me the petient for all those thim.

Also he denied that metal can give me any reactions because I all ready had one week trial !!!!

In trial they used the plastic material not metal. What I have is call TITANIUM METAL.

I don't to how I can find out why I am still getting HIVES and ITCHING all over my body ?

If anyone know about who can find out am I allergic to metal ? Please let us know.

Also I never mention to anyone that I am having so much pain in  my legs, feet and my hands except Urgent Care and representative who came from Boston Scientific on May 31, 2016 due to hives all over my body, inside my mouth and on my eyes my mind was sorry still trying to find out how I can stop all this.