Neuro-stimulator

[tanglewood]

Has anyone had any experience with a neuro-stimulator implanted in the back? I am supposed to have a test in January where probes will be put near my spine; the wires will come out of my back for the test and if the stimulator doesn't help, then that's the end of that possiblity. If the test is successful in controlling my pain they will remove everything and wait three to four weeks until I'm completely healed; then they will implant the stimulator and wires and probes permanently. According to my pain doc the success rate is greater than 80%. I would sure love to hear from people who have had experience with the device. thanks

[bcfrmind816]

I to am having the stimulator implanted from St, Jude here in Missouri but the Dr, is doing it at the VA that has been my worry also I have had the hemi laminectomy disc ectomy but still unbearable pain the trail helped but only about 40% but their main goal is to take me off disability not fixing the problem just ease the pain. I am having it done on 12/12 2014 and will update as I go thru the process. sorry to here about your getting crippled and hope the best for you.

[medtronicuser]

I had my trial test period over a month ago and received greatly reduced pain levels in my left arm neck and shoulder area. Then they take it away for a period of time, long enough to miss it! I had the implant done July 18th, was feeling well enough to go to work on Thursday July 24th. Sometime during the day on Sunday July 27th I started to have what I call a bad tooth ache, But the tooth ache was in my upper left arm, it was constant, no concentration, tremor both hands, horrible pain took my breath away. I called my Spine and Pain Doctor but he is on vacation! His PA could really do nothing more than order stronger pain meds. So far so good but only on 2nd pill. My hands are still shaking. I don't know if a lead pulled loose or I tore something inside. I set my Stimulator at a different level so maybe that will help too.. Sharon

[TheMadMan]

Reading about this spinal cord stimulator is scary. I know my doctors have talked about this for me but this has been my experience...
I went to one doctor who recommended the SCS for my spine. I have DJD. I went for the psychological testing (which I had to pay for) but the testing showed I was a candidate. I then returned to the doctor and she REFUSED to go on with any further testing. She announced that SHE THOUGHT I WAS NOT A CANDIDATE? After talking to her and her staff, I found she was a rotating doctor and did not want to be 'married' to any problems related to the SCS and flatly refused to do any further testing on me.
I have been offered this treatment as a last resort but there is still a possibly of surgery for my spine which I am still checking into. I may need to have some bones scrapped  or adjusted but surgery is a last option. The doctors I have now are looking into possibilities for me. Surgery might be good for me but the side effects such as scar tissue have been a problem in the past which press on my nerves.
Recently I have had two RFA's in different areas which have helped in the past. Presently I am walking again with minimal pain. No pain medications so far. Now I have the task of physical therapy ahead of me which I am not looking forward to but that is the road I must travel.
Please get a first, second and third opinion for this SCS. Depending on many factors it could or could not work. Many factors are involved here and you are usually 'married' to this SCS for life so look into the possibilities and make an educated decision.
It is your body and your pain! Just because you have pain it does not mean there aren't other options out there for you.
Good luck folks and keep the posts coming. Education is what we learn sometimes from others.

[Chad13075]

I am considering a neurostimulator  for my back and specifically right leg sciatic pain.  I have only one concern: will the permanent device limit my movement in any way?  For example, I am a roller coaster FREAK.  Can I still ride with this thing in my back?

[Mishi4]

Hello All,
I had the newest DRG spinal cord stimulator implanted in October. Since the implant I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. The stimulator eliminates 90 percent of my prior nerve pain. That's a great thing. But the Fibro thing has me quite down. I feel like I traded one pain issue for another and I am tired all the time...even right when I get up in the morning even though I sleep through the night fine.

I can't find any information on this but I am really wondering if the implant isn't effecting the achiness that they are calling FM. My achy joints and burning is all on my left side where the battery pack is. And I am testing my theory now but I think the FM pain might be worse when the stimulator is on (this may be a programming thing so I don't want to scare anyone thinking of getting it. It's still a great solution for those that it helps).

I just can't help but think someone else might have had similar issues.  

[jayneisaacs]

Please do more research on this! i have it and wish i'd never even thought of it!!! I am in more pain with all the x-tra problems it has caused!

[jayneisaacs]

mine also amps up and down with certian movement at the waist! i hate mine because of all the problems it has caused in the7 months that i have had it. unexplainable severe belly cramps,placed in belly and interferes with seatbelt buckeling over it, menopause like symptons, cramps when charging it ect. it is history

[jayneisaacs]

yes u can have ct scans just no mri's

[jayneisaacs]

I had a 5 level neck fusion and thank the good lord i got 95% relief! thank god for the surgeon at riverside hosp. in columbus ohio rebecca brightman my neck is next to perfect. hope u can find relief for yours,its scarey when they told me they were taking my skull cap off to put hardware in but i couldnt move my neck or raise my arms

[jayneisaacs]

i was on meth at 1 point also after i totaled 2 vans and kept blacking out i was put on oxy cotin and now oxy morphine,lyrica,perks,and zanaflex. i had the stim put in ,in may and am having it removed 12/09/13. i am having severe belly cramps that the hosp and ct scan couldnt find anything wrong. i am going thru menopause like symptons. i hate sex no sex drive whatso ever. battery placement is coming thru belly skin,dr said it wasnt placed deep enough. still have lower back pain and left led syatica. to me after the research i have done and the problems i am having it is history!

[RunningMom]

I refused to have the trial.  I'm very leery of someone getting so close to my spine, especially in my neck.  I was told there was only a 50-70% chance of success rate for pain reduction.  I'm honestly happy I decided against it.  That was my personal decision.  Good luck.

I had 3 different surgeon opinions before making a decision.  It wasn't something I was taking lightly.

[imabird]

Your posting was a year ago, but in case other newbies had this question, I wanted to mention that I use rechargeable 9 volt batteries in my Interferential Unit. It's a 'LG Quad Combo' that does Tens, IF, MIC, and EMS. While I'm sitting (I work from home), I am plugged into the wall as when using the IF mode, it'll drain a 9volt (300mah) within an hour (hours using it in the Tens mode). I have many 9 volts charged up, ready to replace the drained one. (There are 500mah+ rechargeables out there, but above $15 a piece, those last longer than the typical 200mah 9 volts).

I'm currently waiting (today) to hear back from the Dr. for the Trial approval with my insurance company. They've been giving us a hard time to get me approved as I believe both the Trial and the real operation will cost up to $70,000, less insurance coverage, in my case, 80% covered).

I'm having to live with the interferential unit, and put it in the Tens mode when I go to bed (on battery). Am hoping to hear good news shortly. Good luck to everyone who has the unfortunate need for the Implant or Tens/IF .

Barry

[atonjr]

I've had a nero implant in my lower back and the doctor cut my Sciatic Nerve .My legs and feet are numb.I can't sit more then 3 minutes.I would never have it done again.Thanks to ST JUDES MEDICAL I'm cripplesd for life.
ED ATON

[Bibleman]

I've had the tempory and soon to have the permanent. With the temp I had to go back and have a program change to cover the thighs and shin areas. It was a simple proceedure and I had great relief. I hope something helps - sorry you're hurting.

[mapleshadefarm]

i've had the TENS unit for almost 3 months, and I have had amazing results with it. Getting about a 70% reduction in over all pain as well as only having to take 2 ..15mgs of morphine a day along with my fentynal patch every 48 hrs.  I have severe neurological pain every where from a rare reaction to a medication, along with back  and over all joint pain.
IWith just taking the 75mg fentnayl  every 48hrs and 6..15mg of morphine tablets per day for over 2 years  now. I am lucky if I got about a 30-40% reduction of pain.

BUT I have to STOP at least the morphine as I have crohns as well as diabetic gastroparesis.

I was told about the Neuro-stimulator and had high hopes of being approved by medicare and medicaid as that is all i have for insurance, as I have been disabled for 3 years now.

I am only 54 and I have a long life to lead, along with raising a 15 yr old daughter myself. Does anyone know if Medicare approves of the Neuro-stimulator? please.

Even though the TENS unit works awesome, I can not afford the 4-6 9volt batteries a day as the only way I get true relief is to have it on the IFC setting and then 1 9volt battery lasts about 1 hours.The least expensive I can find a 9volt is for $2.50 each so that is at least $12.50 a day just for the batteries x 30 days a month is $375 a month just for the batteries. BUT I am also only sent 2 packages of electrodes a month from Medeicare and those only last me at most 6 days total.

So even though the TENS unit has worked tremendously, not being able to get or afford the supplys is really hurting me. So that's why It was mentioned about the Nuero Stimulator...

So if anyone can help me I would appreciate it,,

Sally

[dtaylor1965]

I was told it was safe to have a CT and had have several up until July 2009 when I had one done on my abdomen and after several scans the girl told me we had two left and then I was done.  However, she went to do the 1st of the last two and I got an electrical shock that caused me to leap 3  feet off the table, the girl came out said sorry and it shouldn't happen again, to my yet last surprise It was worse then the first.  I was then paralyzed in my right leg and left should.  I was in the hospital 3 days for observations.  After 8 months the Neuro Surgeon replaced the battery pack that was damaged.  This didn't fix the problem, as I am still having stimulation to my heart and lungs.

[GREATFUL4]

I HAVE THE NEUROSTIMALATOR INPLANT, I LOVE IT & IT HAS HELPED ME ALOT, BUT NOW I AM EXPERIENCEING ALOT OF PAIN ON MY THIGHS AND LEGS. WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS PROBLEMS. THANKS



GREATFUL

[starr_tacey35]

I did the trial and it was the worst experience I have had in a long time.  I felt them put the leads up my spine I actually screamed in the OR.  It was horrible.  Then the leads kept moving the whole 4 days and shifting.  I could not move my head even an 1/8 of an inch before it would shock me.  I wish you luck because I had no pain relief and my back and neck are now completly hypotonic and have had a migrain for the last 4 days since they took it out.  

Good luck,  Starr

[momtofourboys]

I am sorry I got you guys mixed up my comments were for the person asking about them. I was told not to drive with them on.
also a warning DO NOT LET LITTLE HANDS gets your remote, they can blackmail you.
yeah I noticed just from sitting down to standing the difference in strength, but I adjust it.  
I go into a court often, doing an internship, and I always set the alarm off it is a hand held one

So Sorry  to mix you guys up I don't know how that happen I guess thatis lack of sleep
good luck  Jerry

[HawktheSlayer]

Hi Michelle,
  I know about the MRI and CAT scans and the airport problems you can have Im a goverment contractor so I fly alot, but I do have to say that I only had the detector go off one time in a rather small airport, but I had my implant card and every thing was ok. As far as driving ( I still drive ) and my unit is on almost all the time. My bigest thing to tell people that are looking at getting the unit implanted is this : During a normal day of work you might have to raise the levels to get more or better coverage of the pain areas while working. Now when you go home and rest these levels can be not so good. and Example that I have done myself was that I had worked a 9hr day and my unit was at about max, I cam home and went to lay down on my bed to relax a little bit before getting up to do things around the house. Well when I layed down the feeling or shock from the unin went up about 50X I was totally unable to do anything, I was lucky that my wife came in to see how I was doing and noticed me laying on the bed red faced and crying , I could not even scream for help every nerve was getting shocked. She knew how to turn the unit off and did. Then I knew that I would have to have another setting to change to when i got home or to turn off the unit if i was going from a standing to sitting or laying down.

Michelle and Jerry,

   Michelle I am happy to hear you are getting 60% reduction I was at about 70-80 at first but now im at about 40 but it still is nice and knowing that I have 16 nodes that we can turn on and off gives me hope to find a better spot.

Jerry,

I know that when you have the  trial  unit done it will be a little bit of a pain becuse its external and the wire moves more than with the unstalled unit lead. With the trial I would feel change in amp and location by just turning my head a little to the left or right. but I was still able to see that it was going to help me alot. So I do hope that it works for you and if it does not that you are able to find somethingelse to will

R/
Adam

[momtofourboys]

i also should add that you can not have MRI's or CAT scans done once this is in. also you have to be careful with going through metal detectors like at airports or going onto courts.   the day you have it implanted they will give you a temp card for your wallet and then a final one will come in the mail
good luck and I really do hope this works for you
michelle

[momtofourboys]

Hi Adam
I just saw your post  I have a spinal nerve stimulator in my spine.. I had a temp one put in and it was pulled out with in 3 hours of having it implanted (DO NOT put your hands over your head) I can give you more information on the no no's later.

I had the final one put in on July 3 and I would say my pain is aobut 60% percent better. The healing rots but I think it is worth it. I tried so many drugs to help my pain. I have tumors in my foot that are wrapped around the nerve  and they take them out but they grow back.
The people from Boston Scientific are great. they are the ones who control the device. you are awake during the procedure (well tehy give you stuff to "make you groggy" while they are implanting the wires and doing the spinal. they you come to and the people from Boston Scienctific are htere and ask you where you feel the stimulation. and you go from there. the first proceedure can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours, depends on how fast they hit the nail on the head. I will tell you I wasn't very hopefully but I had to try and I am glad I did.
Now for the no no's you can't bend you can't raise your arms over your head so wear a button down shirt. you can lift (I didn't have to do any house cleaning ya hoo) you can't take a shower while you have the wires exposed or a bath. not even to bend to wash your heal for like 10 days, I made a few hair appts to get it washed. when the final one is in it takes 10 weeks for this to heal then some.
Oh you can't drive with it on.
Now charging is fun you have a thing to charge like a cell phone and then you have to place the charger on your buttocks to charge the implant mine takes 3 hours aweek to charge and you can't charge it over night, you don't have to charge it all at once.  fore warning I was wearing s very light pair of pants while charging and you could see a green light on my butt. (Not Funny no wonder so many peole are staring at my butt)
I recommend that either you get some pillows or something so when you haveit done you are sleeping upwards, like in the hospital so you don't have a hard time getting out of bed.
Oh they set it, my puling up so it feels like a chopy thing and they can adjust it so it a a smoother feeling.
Also it seems weird, you think everyone can hear it vibrate and see it vibrate however they can't. I don't even realize half the time I have it on since it is a smooth feeling not a chopy feeling.
I do have to admit, I feel in July and yanked it out of my spine and they have to go in and put it in place with paddles, lets hope  that doesn't happen to you. the recoup is longer, but still worth it.
If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask I love my stimulator.
good luck
Michelle

[HawktheSlayer]

Hi Jerry,  

  No my pain is atc going up right now not down. I think that the scar tissue from my first 3 surgeries is starting to wrap around my other nerves, but I cant have a MRI again to see what is going on. I have an appointment on the 7th with the medtronics tech to make some adjustments on my unit to see if we can find a better location to help with the pain. I am waiting on a call from my PMP to see why he lowered my pain meds insted of raising them. I also take lyrica and it does help some but just not enough, I will prob find a new PMP soon if this one keeps messing with me. I just hope that with the adjustments on the SCS unit that I might get some more releife from the pain. I still hope that your trial goes good and they can help you with your pain. I'll keep intouch as much as I can.

R/
Adam

[Rcoker245]

I have had the neurostimulator implanted today. I had the trial and it was a success. I'm having some surgical pains tonight like sharp pains from one incision to the other ones. I had have 3 laminecties and one big back fusion from l1 to s1. I had bones spurs when he put in the stimulator. Maybe that's what is causing my sharp pains now

[tanglewood]

Hey Adam,

    You were so kind to follow up with me; how are YOU doing? Is your pain under control? I hope you are doing well.

Jerry