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Spinal Cord Stimulator

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khi
khi

Has anyone had a spinal cord stimulator,it has been one suggestion for my husband who is still suffering after 4 years after his first surgery, he has had a further op two years ago and is still suffering immense pain, has weakness in his leg and finds walking difficult and now needs a stick to walk with. I am hoping someone has had a spinal cord stimulator that has had similar condition as my husband because as I understand it it is only a minor op to implant.  I think the other option is fusion which I have heard horror stories about, especially as he doesn't seem to have success with major ops.  Thanks

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  • tammy1123
    tammy1123 khi

    Posted

    Hello khi, I am knew and doing some research and after reading a boat load of the post in here I thought that I might be able to get some help.  Any takers?

    Thanks

    Tammy

    • curtis7677
      curtis7677 tammy1123

      Posted

      I will try to answer your questions.  I just joined the group but have been experiencing back pain since 1994 and have tried a number of solutions.  I had a double fusion in 2009; L4/L5 & L5/S1.  I had cages installed as part of the fusion and titanium rods and screws to hold everything together.  I just had a Nevro Spoinal Cord Stimulator installed.  I am getting excellent results.  The big difference between Nevro and BostonScientifci and others is the way the pain is blocked or masked.   Nevro blocks the pain while other SCS use Paresthesia, a buzzing or tingeling sensation.   I am gald to answer any questions.  Ask away.

    • annette1005
      annette1005 curtis7677

      Posted

      Hi so pleased u have found a solution to the kmightmare that is back pain..

      Ur post is interesting as i have a stimulator that buzz fown ur legs.. they have put a new setting on to stop the tingling but its nit stopped the pain.. they say it stops some pain but not arthritis.. is urs the same ?

      Thanks. Annette

  • DJ1976
    DJ1976 khi

    Posted

    I recently did a 1 week trial for a spinal cord stimulator.  For me got absolutely no benefit.  This particular type puts the implants into the thoracic area along both sides of the spine.  I am the first patient in my Pain Mgmt. Drs. trials who had no benefit.  The rep who worked with me used every single setting they could use and at the highest setting.  I have had 3 back surgeries which went well.  Then 3yrs ago I was in a minor car accident and the pain has been 24/7.  We know it is nerve pain as it affects my right side all down my leg.  No fun trust me.  My Dr. has applied for me for another trial emenating from St. Judes hospital.  It seems the placement of their electrodes are placed in a different area of the back.  I will tell you I would try any spinal stimulator..  They don't implant it permanently until after 1 week.  The electrodes are in your back and a small portion is outside attached to a stimulator wrapped around your waist.  I took the left side as I sleepon my right side.  You just can't shower or tub bathe for 1 week.  It was easy peasy and I am no spring chicken.  Has your husband gone to pain management and tried any of their injections like facet blocks or epidural.  They help some people.  Not me.  I'm that hard case.  But I will keep trying as I can't live 24/7 with pain and am allergic to all narcotic meication and just foud out I have an ulcer from all the aleve, advil that I have taken over the counter.  I wish your husband good luck.

  • lenore59
    lenore59 khi

    Posted

    Hi Khi,

    i have had a SCS for four years. My first back surgery was a laminectomy. It helped for two years and the pain returned. My next surgery was a fusion with titanium rods and bracketsJerry was a laminectomy. It helped for two years and the pain returned. My next surgery was a fusion with titanium rods and  brackets. At this point I had nerve damage in my right leg that I was told would rejuvenate itself. Here we are 11 years later and I still have the pain in my right leg.  The spinal stimulator helped to give me a better quality of life. I was able to do most of the things that I could do in the past. It took a while to figure out the correct program to cover the areas  of pain but we finally got it right. It takes a while to get used to but I can even sleep when the stimulator is on. Now going back three years I started having severe pain in my right hip and knee area nothing would help I became  A recluse because I just couldn't do anything even walking was very painful. Finally my pain management doctor sent me to a spinal specialist and he said yes I have things with my spine that would cause pain but he felt  that the pain was coming from my hip. I was sent to a bone and joint specialist who took x-rays and found that there is nothing left between the femar

    bone and hp bone. I was floored that I was dealing with this and had asked for x-rays but kept being told that it was just the pain in my leg that was getting worse  at at the age of 57 I'm going for a total hip replacement on my right side on Monday. I pray that this takes away the pain and I can go back to just dealing with the leg nerve damage  like I was before. I highly suggest getting the spinal stimulator they do a temporary one to see if it works first and if it does then they implant the real one. I wish you much luck.

    • tammy1123
      tammy1123 lenore59

      Posted

      lenora59,

      I am sorry to hear about your not so good journey. I have 2 cages L3-L4, L4-L5. They now want to put in a stimulation and I have to pick between 3 and I don't have a clue.  I have already decided not to get the Nevro so it is now between the Medtronic and the St. Jude.  I have my doubt that it will work for a long time.  Just to many things that they have tried have failed so I have it in my head that's how it's going to be.  Let's back a bit, before the back pain started I had 2 knee replacements and when the back started I asked about the hip and they told me "no".  What kind did you have that worked for you?

      Thanks

    • lenore59
      lenore59 tammy1123

      Posted

      I have the St. Jude stimulator. The representatives are wonderful. The key it to get the right settings. It may take a few tries but you will get there.
    • tammy1123
      tammy1123 lenore59

      Posted

      lenore 59,

      Thank you so much.  That is the one that I was leaning toward but just needed someone that had a good turn out with it.  

      Again Thank You for your positive reply.

    • DJ1976
      DJ1976 lenore59

      Posted

      Hi Lenore I had the St. Jude stimulator put in for a trial basis on Tues.  we are still in the tweaking mode.  Right now we are in BURST mode but I am getting tonic buzz. Do not understand why I feel that.  I have it removed on Tues.  As of now I am not even 50% relief yet.  I could live with that.  How is your pain with the implant?  Hope you are having good luck.
    • vita002
      vita002 DJ1976

      Posted

      I started the trial Monday 1/16 with Boston scientific and the feeling was terrible and wasn't helping my pain and honestly I felt worse. They removed that and started the st Jude last Friday. At least I don't feel anything but so far I don't have barely any relief. It comes out Thursday. I was wondering how you are feeling after the trial. Really feeling discouraged myself

    • DJ1976
      DJ1976 vita002

      Posted

      Hi there.  Had it removed this past Tues.  It took 6 days to get it perfect.  I would say on a good day my pain has been reduced dramatically to the point I cried with the success.  I took a walk first part was OK, on the second leg back pain was excruciating.  I waited 15 mins. got up and pain was gone.  I am now waiting for my surgical consult and insurance approval to hopefully be as pain free as I can get after 4 years of 24/7 365.  All this with taking all of the injections.  Anything is possible.  The people from St. Judes I love my rep.  She came to home and erased the original program and started all over again.  That's when I got the results they were hoping for.  My Doc. was thrilled she gave me a big hug and can't wait to see me 8 weeks after surgery.  So If I can get results with one failure I truly believe anyone can.  It all depends on your pain management Dr. and how hard they will fight for you.  Mine was going to send me to N.Y. City if this one did not work.  I wish you good luck.

    • vita002
      vita002 DJ1976

      Posted

      The burst dr from st Jude so much better. I am in same situation last four years 24/7 pain. 8's and 9's. Right leg never below 7 even after pain pills. Back 5-7 all the time too. The trial was done on Thursday and the day before I started getting results. By day 6 no pain at all in my back. My leg was reduced some but I think anything is better than nothing so I am going forward with the implant. I am also waiting for scheduling and insurance. I think with no back pain even higher pain in leg will be a lot better. Good luck to you!!!

    • Elteec98
      Elteec98 vita002

      Posted

      If the trial doesn't work like you want, do not get the perm. 

  • suzanne73562
    suzanne73562 khi

    Posted

    I had a fusion done January of 2016 and it did not help at all. I am now looking for other options and doctor is planning on puttting a BurstDR stimulator in Tuesday to help with the pain. All I have read online so far is not encouraging. HELP please.

     

  • curtis7677
    curtis7677 khi

    Posted

    I recently had a Nevro SCS installed and have had excellent results.  It was installed on December 7th.  We are just begining to target the Sciatic Nerve.  The Nevro SCS was designed for back and leg pain according to the rep I am working with.  I had excelent results with the trial system as well.  I had a double fusion in 2009 and the pain never went away even after the fusion.  I even had one set of screws and rods removed but the pain continued.  This is the first time I have been pain feee since 1994.
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