Posted , 7 users are following.
Which is the best Spinal Stimulator.
Looking at the comments so far:
The Nevro has batteries that hurt, overheat and make pain worse.
The Boston Scientific seems pretty good.
Have not seen comments about the Medtronic unit.
I may need to try one, would like as much info as possible.
Thank you.
1 like, 24 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
kathy07828 bob95017
Posted
Hi Bob. The Nevro has been referred to me as well, so I've been on this site chatting and researching as well. This is one of four SCS's that are currently available. The biggest difference with the Nevro is that it sends high frequency electrical impulses that can't be felt, while the other three use low frequency. If you like the feeling that you get from a TENS unit, then you'll like a low frequency. I can't stand them, so the NEVRO has been suggested to me. Although the manufacturer claims it is safe for an MRI machine, here in the US the FDA still has not given approval for this. At this point I've decided not to try it because I have hyper sensitivity ( why I can't tolerate the TENS unit), and feel pretty confident that I'd know it's there.I've had treatments from a laser pad that have actually burned my skin, even though they're not hot enough to do so because of this nerve dysfunction reactivity. I've also been diagnosed with neuromyofascial muscular dysfunction, so my brain sends signals for my muscles to react to pain that isn't really present at times with muscle spasms, burning, etc. in areas that have no business reacting. My multiple surgeries, ( besides the 9 back surgeries), have created a fascial highway of scar tissue and myofascial pain and dysfunction that all connect and feed off of each other with false signals. If you're considering an SCS, it is imperative that you have a highly trained surgeon doing the implant. Many pain DR's such as my previous one are trying these because they're available and rely on the company rep to then take over in getting the programming set to be specifically successful for you and your issues, which can take months. However, it your surgeon hasn't placed your leads where they need to go to target the nerves you specifically need them to access, it can be a nightmare. You'll read about many of them here. I had also connected a while ago with a man in GB who was involved in the original trial there 10 years ago, and is still enjoying a full life again. However, he warned that if he didn't start his day with the stretches he had been instructed to do in his daily pt sessions which was a part of the two week hospital stay following the implant, he'd be in agony all day. I sincerely hope this helps you on your journey for a quality, fulfilling life again. ~ kathy
cynthia70714 kathy07828
Posted
Kathy07828,
I don't know but the Rep's from Nevro tried every thing possible with different settings but one rep decided to turn it on as a tens unit with the pulsating charge, OMG! I hurt so bad only after giving it a few days, also it has to be turned off when going to bed so why even have it I can t sleep due to pain. So after all this I turned off the dumb thing and I am so done with this stupid stimulator, I was lied to, they said that when I had the revision surgery for the battery cause it was pushing out of my back they put it in my abdomen, which i can feel when I do certain things and it hurts but was told that it would be left off and was going to get the st Jude's instead, the Rep talked my dr to leave it on, when I was waking up from surgery dr jetted and so did the rep and found out it was still on by a note from the rep. I felt so betrayed by the dr and that rep. And than the rep that made the dr leave it on chamged me to a different rep that I didn't get along with and the one that left this horrible thing on vibration, after I turned off the stimulator i still felt like I was vibrating and the pain was so unbearable, so after the dr said I was a failed SCS why would they turn it back on and then leave me without any answers to why they did that. So nice that Drs can be so slimmy and leave it up to the nurses to explain that this stimulator is still on, but I turned it off when I started not wanting to get out of bed so now all the muscles that were ok not hurt like crazy.
So pls check out everyone of the SCS 's before you decide which one you want to have permanently in your body.
Take care
Good luck
Cynthia (cindy)
kathy07828 cynthia70714
Posted
Hi Cindy. I've been following your updates on this terrible journey you've been through with this whole mess. I have a feeling that you might be hypersensitive like me as well, which further complicates things. What I have learned on this site so far is that you need a top notch surgeon who has done many of these surgeries and corrective surgeries. That you're going to need some time to recover, as this is a major back surgery, so I'm not listening to any dr that tells me I'll be back to an active life in a week! These things need to have the battery placed where they won't interfere with waistbands and normal activities like sitting and sleeping. That you need an excellent Rep guiding you along, who has experience and actually listens to you. And not to expect a miracle. Hopefully, they'll reduce pain to point one can participate in life again. My new pain Dr fits this criteria so far. He is only "installing g" the Nevro now, and works with one Rep that he's been very pleased with so far as far as his responsiveness to patients and success rate in helping meet their needs with programming. However, although my Dr's had extensive training at Brigham Young Women's Hospital in SCS surgeries, he has just begun implanting the Nevro. To date he has done only 8 patients within the past 3 months. I told him I'd like to talk with him again about his patients after a year with the unit to see how they're doing, and get more info on the age, surgeries and life styles of each one. I asked if it mattered that I've had 9 back surgeries, as those who had multiple surgeries on this site didn't seem to have a favorable outcome. He replied that Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is the same whether you've had 2 or 10 surgeries, so, we'll wait to see if this proves to be correct. Although I'm hoping I can hold off on the trial for as long as a year so that I have validated information I can evaluate, I know I can't trust any more DR's that assure me I'll be 70 - 90% back to normal following whatever they're proposing again.
connieb55 cynthia70714
Posted
I can't wait to get it out!
connieb55 bob95017
Posted
I am asking same questions, I am on the trial and happy its coming out tomorrow