Hey Friend

You are So wise to be looking at all these angles!
I'm sure you will get many 'variables', and it's a bit tough to put an exact or even 'ballpark' figure on this!
Our friend from Ireland was just asking these Q's recently.
I don't know WHY, but like you said, it's hard to find even estimates when searching on the web.....even looking directly on the manufacturer's website, this info seemed to elude me !

I don't want to 'scare you off' , but you are being very realistic and you are simply looking for 'real' answers......
So, hopefully, the rest of our little team here will give you their experiences and knowledge and we can all kinda 'compare notes'

I factored in the costs of what i was facing on medical care BEFORE i had the implant. In trying to obtain pain relief and medical testing to pinpoint diagnosis and whatever other healthcare issues were involved,.....
just the PHARMACY costs (in my case) were well into the $1,000 a MONTH.
(Fentanyl patches, and other very high-dollar pain meds.....)

That's the main reason in getting an SCS implant (in the hopes and assumptions that our pain meds can be drastically reduced) besides the main point of getting our quality of life back.
Most people will still need meds, but not to the degree of pre-SCS.
Some people will say that the SCS did them no good, and caused more complications than good.
Others, like me, will say they are amazed at what the SCS can do and can get back to a somewhat 'normal' way of life.
I have yet to have any 'long-term' results to share, however, because I've only had mine for about 5 months.

I would encourage you to hook up with our good friend 'Burntmarshmallow", as she is about to celebrate her 8 (Eight!!) year anniversary with hers!
She is a tremendous source of good info and support.

Looking at round figures....
My SCS Trial procedure was about $10,000. wow!
The trial procedure proved to be very successful, so I opted for the permanent implant.
When all costs are put together, as in the Hospital Bill (anesthesiology and other operating room charges), the Doctor bill (the surgeon who did the actual operation), the SCS device (there are so many different models and depending on which manufacturer, how many placement leads, electrodes, paddles, etc), .....
My entire kit-and-kaboodle hits the $100,000 mark.
I was considered a 'textbook case'. (meaning no complications)

My condition all revolves around my peripheral neuropathy in lower extremities. I have no spinal issues whatsoever, so I am unable to help there...but several here will hook up with you and give you more info in that area,, as i understand you are dealing with alot of spinal issues.
Mark will be absolutely monumental to you, as you get to know us....listen to this guy, he knows his stuff.

Feel free to send me messages any time you want.
If you have insurance inquiries, I may (hopefully ) be able to give some insight, as I've worked in this field for over 25 yrs.

You are doing a very wise thing in checking into all of this ahead of time.
This truly is a big deal. It's a big decision to make.
You definately need a very GOOD, experienced, and well-versed Dr overseeing your care in this. It's a 'TEAM' effort, as, in addition to your Dr, you need a good relationship and communication with the Representative from the manufacturing company of the implantable device.
My SCS is from 'Medtronics'
Other very reputable companies such as 'Boston Scientific', AONS St Jude, etc.... you'll have to find out from your Dr which vendor he uses and then zero in on which model will work best in your case.
I opted for the smallest unit (Ultra MyStim) and am very happy with it.

Don't let all this 'overwhelm' you. It's a lot to swallow when seeing it from the broad perspective, but if you've already been faced with multiple spinal issues, surgeries, nerve blocks, etc etc.......then you are no stranger to what this is all about.

Keep a notebook, have all your medical test results and everything all together, and it'll help you in being in the 'driver's seat' as you move forward with decision making.
You are vesting in your future. It is a process, no doubt, but you WILL get to a place where you can get your 'life' back.

Now, you've got 'us' as an extended support team....and we will no doubt learn from YOU as well. We're all in this together.
Your healthcare team is your priority. I pray you have the best there is, and if you don't feel confident in that, then search until you DO hook up with the right Dr for you.

I hope this has helped....

It's so good to have you here
Rae