Allergic reaction to Medrotrinics neurostimulator

[elmuno]

My daughter had the medrtronics rechargeable device implanted in her spine for chronic pain in her right ankle.  She is 18 years old and was diagnosed with RSD or CRPS which it now called.  She was diagnosed early, but nothing worked.  She went through the trial stimulator in December with much success.  She had the permanent device installed on Jan 5th.  About 4 days later she started having flu like body aches, severe headaches and nausea.  Over the next 3 weeks she has gotten considerably worse.  The Doctor and and the Medronics rep both said that there is not allergic reactions associated with this device.  She does not have any infections.  Two visits to the ER has confirmed this.  The doctor now has no answers for us, so we are seeking help with other doctors.  Surfing the net I have found out that there can be allergic reactions to the devices.  Does anyone out there have any similar experiences?

[Bettersoon09]

i have had 4 back surgeries since my injury in 2009. ive had issues with the titsnium.and eventually had the hardware removed, i just had a neurostimulator placed.,  within a few weeks i noticed my joints started to hurt terribliblly.
Now i am in terrible pain all the time. after talking to my surgeon he suggested i talk to my primary? b/c  now we have a leads

[disco170]

I have stimulator that I'm have trouble with.  After doing some research on the Medtronics website I found there is allergies and Medtronics should supply to you doctor at no charge.

[meego]

I had my neurostimulator implant on 12/5/11.  Did fine until last week.  Had two trips to the ER.  One I was given IV pain meds and sent home.  The next trip was to the ER via ambulance.  The pain was sooooooooo bad.  The ER docs gave me 4 vials of pain meds; stabalized  me and sent me home.  Neither time, no-one from Neuro came to see me in the ER.  At the next office visit, all I got was excuses. i.e. they had to remove the neck brace too soon because my neck wound was not closed, had to add more stitches, were supposed to send me home on antibiotics and didn't, etc...Tomorrow, I am having another blood test (the first one showed infection) and another CT scan..  I didn't have this much pain BEFORE the implant.  I want this thing removed IMMEDIATELY.  What are your thoughts?

[547pen]

I am a 59 year old man that had the Medtronic-neurostimulator implant on June 10th and now it is Oct.17 and the area where the implant was installed has not healed yet! I have been on more antibiotics than can be needed for any normal reaction, wound care people, Drs. Now we don't know what to do or where to turn!


WI

[RunningMom]

I'm very happy to hear that you are seeing other doctors and getting their opinions.  Perhaps the SCS will not work out and needs to be removed.

I personally could believe your body could be sensitive to something like this.  I just had a MRI of my neck about a week ago and the MRI burned my neck.  My collar bone and neck was really red for about 30 minutes.  

I wish you the best of luck in finding answers.  I hope your daughter is okay and is feeling better soon.

[dvdsgirl817]

I too had the Medtronic Neurostimulator, the trial went GREAT, I achieved 80% pain relief, well, I had the surgery and developed an infection and the most severe pain you could imagine and had to have it removed 10 days later and have been on antibiotics for 24 days (2 different kinds), have lost work and am a single Mom of 3, might lose my job, etc... Does Medtronic care? NO, they could care less, they made the sale, thats all that matters to them.  I will NEVER make this mistake again!

[tanglewood]

Another thought - I remember the Medtronics tec telling me during the trial that the unit increased the blood supply or something like that. I had unexpected relief from symptoms I didn't expect relief from; plus I had more energy. When I mentioned those things to the Medtronic's tec she said the unit increased the blood supply - I think. I'm wondering if there is something else going on with your daughter? Has she had a cat scan? Ever had blood pressure issues? Any head injury, etc.? Just thinking of all possibilities. I hope you find the right doctor.

[tanglewood]

I had the trial last week with much success. I have not heard of anyone having allergic reactions to the device and I have been researching it a lot because I plan to move forward with the implant - also a Medtronics' device. Still, it seems TOO conincidental that your daughter would have symptoms four days after the surgery. However, maybe it's not the device, but something they used during the surgery - a medication or something? Has she had a CT Scan (can't have a MRI) to see what everything in there looks like now? (To make sure nothing extra was left in there or nothing is out of place, etc.?) I agree with Tuck, go to another doctor and keep pursuing it until you get satisfaction! Maybe take your daughter to a neurologist? Please, let us know what you find out. Good luck!

[Tuckamore]

Hello Elmuno,

I am sorry to hear about your daughters symptoms. As a mother that has a son with a chronic disease I can relate. Welcome to MedHelp. I am glad you found us.

I have no experience with the Neurostimulator. But you know you daughter better than anyone else and if you beleive that her symptoms are related to the implantation than pursue that concern. This is merely my opinion but based on the little information you have supplied here I agree with your assessment.

You are taking the right approach by having her seen by other physicians. As you know most physicians tend to agree with one another and stick together. So do not give up until you are comfortable with the answers you are given.

Some of our members have direct experience with this implant and hopefully will post later. Our members sign in at different times and sometimes different dates. Please let us know how your daughter is doing. We will support you or help you in any way we can. Best of luck to you and your daughter. Take Care, Tuck