Successful SCS trial - which system to get implated?
 

I am in day 5 of an SCS trial with a medtronic device. This is the first time in many years that I have not needed muscle relaxers, patches, etc. to reduce my lower back pain. I have some questions but I'll start with some background.

I had an L5-S1 anterior fusion in 2001 that cured the major instability and awful pain episodes but left behind regular lower back pain. After years of facet blocks, RFI blocks, physical therapy I have spent the last five years reducing my activity levels to reduce the onset of activity-related spasms and pain. For 2 years, lidoderm and flector patched helped but no longer. This year, I've been reduced to one day per weekend on pain pills/muscle relaxers to get ready to go back to another week of work. If I didn't find a better solution my future was to be narcotics and stopping my work as an IT manager.

After talking with my pain management doc, we finally decided to try an SCS. I got the Medtronic leads placed last Wednesday and I've had the first five days of no pain, no muscle relaxers, no celebrex, and no patches in at least seven years. I'm still taking ultram but since I'm well adjusted to that (after 11 years) I'm okay with it. I'm SOLD on the effectiveness of the SCS and I'm ready to go forward with surgery. I WILL get one of these things implanted :).

I meet with my Neurosurgeon this Wednesday. He seems to favor Medtronic but I don't know why. For the trial I didn't have any preference; I just wanted to know whether it would work. Now I know an SCS will work for me I now need to know which system will work best for me. My pain specialist likes Boston Scientific but he doesn't install these things for a living. My Neuro seems to implant more Medtronics than the other brands.

Now for the questions:
Do I let my Neuro choose?
Do I follow my pain guy's lead?
How do I get enough information to make such an important decision?
Is there enough difference between the units that I should care?

There are several choices out there. Medtronic, Boston Scientific, st. Jude. If medtronic worked for you for your trial, that is a good notion. However, you can also google reviews on each of these as well. Good luck!

I have done quite a bit of googling and have seen reviews. I can't really tell much of a difference. There seem to be similar stories for each. The are surgical complications seem similar, the amount of good and bad experiences seem similarly frequent, etc. That's why I posted ;-).

This community seems both knowledgeable and supportive. Hopefully, I'll have something to contribute as I learn more.

I agree with alt, it is a good indication for Medtronic since it did work during your trial. I personally have two St. Jude stimulators implanted. I am very happy with the company. My dr recommended it over another brand and I can see why, the reps I have are fantastic and the units work well.

I did so much reading and googling before I decided to move forward with the stimulators and St Jude. They called me before the trial to explain and walk me through the whole process, of the trial and permanent, it helped me understand a lot better and be more comfortable with my decision.

If you are unsure of which to go with, ask your dr why he is recommending Medtronic's device over the others. YOU need to make the decision AND be comfortable with it.

Best of luck to you,
Nanc
:hug:

Hi Pizzaman!
 

....and WELCOME! Glad you found your way to this little corner of the universe.
How thrilling that your trial has gone this well! I can only imagine how elated you must be - not having to give up your job!

Alot of times (depending where you're from) a physician might work exclusively with one vendor. Ex: I live in a rural area where there aren't many choices to choose from. My surgeon only installs Medtronics. I'm very happy with it. No more horrific burning in my lower extremities.

Different vendors might give physicians bigger kickbacks and incentives, which could play a roll in which company your doctor prefers.

If you live in an urban area and have the choice options, I would probably lean toward the one your doctor prefers and is familiar with. You've done plenty of research on the different companies. Like you said, they each are going to have pro's and con's when you read the reviews.

Nanc has a good point if you want to dig a bit deeper. Ask doc why he prefers this certain company. The most important thing is how well you trust your doctor and the confidence you have in him.

I'm excited for you! Looks like you are on your way to a whole new quality of life again!
Please stick around and let us know how this unfolds. There's plenty of great support here, plus I'm sure you'll have some stuff to help US as well!

Glad you're here!
Rae
:grouphug:

I agree with what others are saying. Many people have had success with each of the different companies. However, if you're happy with how your trial's going and don't have any issues, I'd go with Medtronic. My rep (I have 2 Boston Scientific Units) told me something last week that I didn't know. She said that Boston Scientific and Medtronic units use different methods within the body in order to work. So I'd say it would be too risky to go for a device implanted permanently that you haven't gotten to test drive, especially if the one you did use for the trial worked well. Plus you'll be familiar with how things work and the protocols for the company, and you'll likely have the same rep as well, which will be good to have some consistency :)

surgery scheduled
 

I am scheduled to get the Medtronic RestoreSensor and 5-6-5 lead implanted on July 7th. My doctor says he uses all three brands and knows the strengths of each. He picked Medtronic because of my back pain and their new sensor in the battery. I am excited!

Pizza and a Movie
 

Oh Pizzaman, if you truly have such a career, I am grateful for your work as one who enjoys a bit of pizza and a movie to relax! A family favorite around here!

Your following your Doc's studied advice and approach is the best recommendation one can give, a path you appear to have chosen. Good reasons were articulated, and your Doc is on the leading edge of current information.

Regarding me and Boston Scienfic, the choice was last minute as I had anticipated trial of another model, but I was satisfied and espeicially appreciated being allowed to program the generator unit myself under the watshful gaze of my rep. It has now been two years since implant, and I have had tremendous success with the unit itself and the programs I set. Never a tweak have I needed or had.

My thread which discusses the whole saga has fallen to the second page as it is closed due to reaching the posting limit...... but you may click it here http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread117854.html for a fairly complete discussion of the process, the ups, the downs, the results, and a heads up for the uninformed. Too many patients go forward with little more than the video disc hyping a particular product as their only source of information. The entirety of the process is SO MUCH MORE than zip you open, drop it in, and away you go. Healing is involved. Questions arise. BLAST is a good acronym to memorize, no bending lifting stretching or twisting during the healing phase. The thread continues under similar name followed by a 2 here, http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread170843.html .

These are intended as resources for patient information beyond the skinny doc's offices can provide, and I bring them to you because I know many questions are thus answered. If you have others, chime in, because the more the information the better!!

Oh, and remember the all important Log Roll for arising from bed once you have been sent home from surgery! You will want to know that when through the pain of surgery the ever present need to visit the bathroom will first occur!

I am thrilled for you PizzaMan, and you most assuredly have my prayers in your embarkation on the adventure toward better pain management!
Prayin,
Mark56:hug:

Mark your calendars!
 

Your date has been set Pizzaman! And your doctor has a specific model customized to your particular situation. How awesome is that.

Mark speaks wisdom. We'll be right here with you every step of the way!
I'm happy for you!

Rae
:grouphug:

Hooray for pain relief!
 

Hi Pizzaman,

First of all, thanks a LOT--now you've got me craving pizza...lol!!:D Secondly, welcome to this wonderful forum! I'm so happy to hear that the trial SCS is working for you. What a wonderful relief that must be! I hope and pray that you continue to get relief and that you can very soon get "the real deal", the permanent implant. I'm scheduled to start my trial July 24th and can hardly wait, hoping that this will be a solution for me, too. Keep us posted on your progress!

Best of luck to you,
Jan