Nevro HF10 spinal cord stimulator charging / battery issues tips and tricks
Posted , 54 users are following.
I had a Nevro HF10 stimulator implanted a few weeks ago (and scheduled for a second stimulator to be installed in 30 days). I am amazed how little tech support is available on this product LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of sales data.... but no FAQS about how this or that works....or what to do if... Found some unhappy people, but no tips and tricks to using so thought i would start a topic and ask some questions from others.I was not aware before surgery how much changing and programing there would be to find the right settings after surgery was over (I thought that was what the trial is for).So I have a million newby questions that I cant seem to find online answers about.I'll start with three, and maybe others will have things to share or add re: best practices. 1) I didnt charge for last few days (bad boy). I was hurting worse today than usual, and wondered if i had let my battery go dead. My remote showed 1 blinking battery bar. Does that mean it was dead? Or just close to dead? 2) is there any logic that if it was extra low (but not dead) that is was working not as well as it does when fully charged? (or is it an all or nothing benefit)3) before I charged when it was deadly low, it felt like the battery/transmitter box implanted was burning me. Is it possible that when low and working extra hard to produce power that it can get hot (like maybe a cellphone would? )
6 likes, 73 replies
teresa46737 mark69155
Posted
I have had mine for over a year and although for the first 9 months it was almost impossible for me to charge because my doctor put my battery in too deep and upside down however, I have had a newer battery put in to a different pocket and now I don't have problems. To answer your question, you battery site should never feel as though it is burning, if you get a burning feeling, you need to notify your doctor because they have been known to actually burn your skin. Also, when your remote shows only 1 light then you risk your unit not only stops working but it can also loose the program that you were currently using if it goes completely dead, I found that out the hard way. Like I said, I have had mine in now for over a year and Nevro has still not been able to get the program that gets rid of my pain. I hope this helps and I hope you have either already found your program or you are getting close
barb121421 mark69155
Posted
Thank you for this message
I had my Nervo implanted 10 days ago, the unit is not set up fully until two weeks post op.
I recognize this is a hope for less pain, not a fix of anything that is causes the pain. I appreciate all of the posts, however, I am trying focus on the positive posts.
I welcome any helpful recommendations as I begin this journey
susan13766 mark69155
Posted
Hi Mark I'm new to this website and just posted for the first time . I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you but I also am having a hard time getting information from the reps when I call.
I had a Nevro HF10 SCS implanted in November and I would say I am 80% better. But sometimes I get leg pain in the middle of the night, no where near the pain I got before the implant but enough to wake me.
I am confused on how the programs work because I get different answers from different reps. I am almost afraid to change the programs thinking maybe I should leave well enough alone. I'm wondering if anyone has an understanding of how the programs work and if going up in programs takes more from the battery life?
mark69155 susan13766
Edited
hi Susan - I've had my units for a couple years now.to answer your question, yes, using settings for higher power drains the battery faster. one of my implants uses the highest power, but i can still go 2+ days before its low.
I don't change my settings. once I found the most helpful settings. haven't even used my remote or turned off in well over a year. I'm a set it and forget it person.
we all have different programs and lead placements so what settings work for me are different that what works for you. And what works for you today can change over time. if my settings were not working for me anymore I would make an appointment with a Nevro rep and get reprogrammed and do another trial run to find new appropriate settings. i understand there are infinite combinations to try to find what works best for you.
good luck
Stanley1957 susan13766
Posted
You need to find one rep that you trust and gives you straight answers. My rep is always upfront and positive. I am on a cocktail of pain meds and don't have any expectations of ever going off them. As a beekeeper there is an old saying, "Ask 5 beekeepers a question and you will likely get 6 different answers.
susan13766 mark69155
Posted
Hi Mark thank you for your reply. I am also a set it and forget it person and have not turned mine off yet. i guess I should leave well enough alone since I'm doing more then I ever expected. If things change I will have to see about changing settings. I also noticed that the last month it seems I can't find the right area to charge..... It seems my battery moved a little. I'm hoping that it stays where it is now. I've had it for 3 months and I'm trying to be as careful as possible. I hope all goes well with you.
Thank you and God bless you!
Stanley1957 susan13766
Posted
Finding that "sweet spot" to position the charger over the battery to get optimal charging is one of the trickiest things with Nevro. The charging belt is not very "user-friendly". Seems like it's designed for a person with a 60 inch waist. The Medtronics belt was way better. I hope I saved it. Don't forget to recharge your charger after 2 or 3 charging sessions.
Stanley1957 mark69155
Posted
I had a Medtronics SCS implanted in 2018. It worked fairly well along with my meds for about 3 years. Then, it stopped providing relief. I just had the Nevro HFX SCS implanted to replace the Medtronics. Kept the medtronics paddle and lead. Required an adapter to fit lead to Nevro unit. After 2 weeks, the unit was turned on. No apparent pain mitigation for 4 or 5 days. Contacted Rich, the Nevro Rep. He had me change the program setting. There was a noticeable improvement in an hour or two, Not earth-shattering, but noticeable, After 5 days, I contacted Rich again to try and get more pain mitigation. He had me up the impulse by one bar. Will see how that goes. I am hopeful that I will eventually get to a point where I can get back to cycling and gentle skiing. Rich told me that getting the settings to the optimal relief management is sort of like tweaking the engine on a car. There is no "on/off" switch to get instant relief. It will likely take numerous setting adjustments. You should have a rep with his phone # that you can always contact with questions. Rich has been very mindful of my needs and responds in one day or less.
janice37343 mark69155
Posted
i have a Nervo HF10 put in 2019. To start with just wearing the one to see if you could get one liked to have killed me . i thought i was going to die. They had to go in and out of my back and you cant be asleep for that. It was awful I felt sorry for my husband. After that was over i got the stimulater. I love it. Do you not have a place to call to talk to your person that helped you set it up. If I have any questions I call them and then if they cant answer then they call me back. I cant change my stimulater
up and down levels unless i have them on the phone with me what to do. I love mine so far.