[cinmarc]

Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1

Default Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulator VS the Rest
I just went through having the Medtronic Test Stimulator implanted by my Pain Doctor. He claims he had a hard time implanting the wires because of my excessive scar tissue from the previous 3 back surgeries. Now that they are in, the Medtronics rep has had to adjust the stimulator 2 days in a row because settings never are constant. In order to get to areas of pain she has to increase the vibration to an uncomfortable level where the left side is different from the right. I talked to my Doctor yesterday and he said that maybe Medtronic is not for me and that is why there are different mfg to choose from. I think he wants to try St Jude now. I am so confused as to whether I should now go back into an operating room and get new implants to do another test. I can use some opinions as to whether I should do another trial, has someone out there been through the same issues, and last I am asking all of you what mfg to user if I have a choice.

cinmarc

[Jomar]

You might also want to post this on our SCS & Pain Pumps sub forum (For spinal cord stimulator (SCS) and pain pump discussions.)

Here is the link to it -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum118.html

[Leesa]

It seems like the Medtronic rep could get the current one to work if he/she adjusted it a little more. Perhaps a different rep could come and work with it. This rep might not have enough training -- ask that the manager of the area come and work with it. I think it's too soon to give up the ghost, so to speak.

I had the medtronic stimulator too, and it had to be adjusted many times until they got the correct stimulation. They finally got it right. Unfortunately for me, I had to have the darn thing taken out, cause I was "too small" and didn't have enough "fat content" in my body and the generator started working itself OUT OF ME! ugh The corners of the thing were sticking out of my body! That wasn't pleasant. So the whole ball of wax had to come out. Now I have scar tissue in the upper back from the leads, that give me FITS. NUTS.

Oh well. I wish you the best of luck. But i wouldn't give up yet on this one. Take care and God bless. Hugs, Lee

[RogerB]

Hi, I had a Boston Scientific SCS for around 18 months. It worked well for the first 9-12 months, but then started becoming ineffective. After several re-programs I was put onto a trial for the Nevro High Frequency SCS. Luckily for me this has been excellent, and unlike all the other conventional SCS devices, there is no parasthaesia. No matter how high the power is.

Whilst it is very inconvenient to have to change SCS, my advice would be to give it a go. I'm glad I did.