Spinal cord stimulator problems...
 

Hello all!

My wife has had a spinal cord stimulator for a number of years as the result of an accident. Periodically she would have severe pain in the heart area, difficulty breathing, feeling faint (occasionally passing out), sort of mild stroke symptoms (out of it, slow thinking, dizzy). These seem to last a couple of days and then everything's ok. She's been in the hospital many times recently and they verified it's not a heart issue.

Just recently I noticed a definite correlation between when she charges her stimulator and then the next day she has these symptoms. Has anyone ever heard of these issues with stimulators? Thoughts?

Thanks!
Lorne

Hi Lorne
 

I'm sorry to hear of your wife's problems......How long has this been going on? You've mentioned she's had her stimulator for several years......
If these symptoms are just lately happening, I would'nt think there's a correlation between the two.... unless maybe it has something to do with it being time to change out her battery?
Is this her original battery implant?

Here's a direct link to our SCS forum, click on:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...ysprune=&f=118

That is a good question you ask and I'd encourage you to post it there, as there are quite a few here with the SCS, including myself.
In the meantime, I'll ask around and get back to you.

I would certainly make sure your primary care Dr knows what's going on.......well, you say she's been hospitalized often, so I'm sure he does.....

I hope this forum can help you with some suggestions....

Rae

Hi Rrae,

Thanks for the quick response! I submitted to the SCS group, as you mentioned. It's all very bizarre. The unit does have the original battery and near as I can tell, nothing else has changed. The problem has gotten progressively worse over the last 3 or 4 months. I forgot to mention that her blood pressure drops out of the sky too, which is likely the cause of a few of the other symptoms.

Thanks!
Lorne