Medtronics emphasizes several times in the manual to NOT let the battery get too low....
Here's a Quote from the Manual: "It is critical that you charge your neurostimulator battery BEFORE the battery is overDIScharged...charge the battery when you see the low battery icon on the screen of the patient programmer or recharger; this prevents the battery from overdischarging. If the neurostimulator battery is allowed to overdischarge, charging is not possible; however, the clinician may be able to restore the battery function

I was instructed to recharge when battery shows half empty.
This makes for shorter recharging sessions. Also, if your SCS is 'ON' while charging, it will take longer to charge. I usually turn mine off and at half tank it takes approx 1 1/2 hours. If I am in pain and leave it on while charging, it takes about 2 hours.

Allowing the NS battery to overdischarge will permanently affect the NS in one of the following ways:
1) Battery function is restored, however charging sessions may be more frequent because battery capacity has been reduced.
2) Battery function is NOT restored and the NS must be surgically replaced because the battery has become permanently damaged.
3) The NS battery has been overdischarged and restored twice before (by a clinician). The 3rd time the battery is overdischarged, the neurostimulator will reach end of service.
Surgery is required to replace the Neurostimulator.

I'm not sure what the other company's instructions are.

Yes, the rechargable NS will need to be re-placed at some point regardless of how well the battery is kept charged.
Several factors are involved regarding the life of the battery....
If you run it 24/7, of course it will have a shorter life.
If you generally have the pulse width/rate set higher, it will use up the battery quicker....

I have dual leads and have the Parameter (Amplitude) usually between 4-7.
I have the pulse width (rate) usually around 50. when it is set to anything below 40, I don't like the 'thumping' feeling it makes. The faster the rate, the smoother the stimulation. And of course, the faster the rate, the quicker the battery drains.

Because of the fact that I have dual leads, have the smallest unit, and run it at a pretty high rate, I have to recharge approx once every 3 days. I know that seems like a lot. But I don't like letting the battery get below 1/2 because the charging sessions will end up taking over 3 hours.
According to the manual, it's ok to partially charge and interrupt the charge session if necessary.
The main emphasis is NOT to let the battery drain all the way down.

By reading all this, it seems as tho it's a major hassle.....but when weighing this against the cost of enduring the pain......it's no big deal. I used to spend this amount of time curled up in a ball in bed in pain wishing I wouldn't wake up!! It has become a part of my routine and to me, it's worth it because of the amount of pain it covers (in my case approx 70%)......breakthru meds are on hand to fill in the gaps and for the most part, I can be completely pain free.
But yeah. it's a commitment, that's for sure.

OH YEAH! Don't forget! the Neurostimulator 'Charger' ALSO has to be 'charged' via battery (AAA's I think) if you don't have it plugged into an electrical outlet. The patient programmer also requires batteries as well.
.......... crazy huh!

After reading this, you may just want to stick with the NON rechargable!
I try to have it turned off during the nights as long as possible, sometimes I wake up in pain and turn it back on.

hugs to all
Rae

Wow, you all are SO openly helpful to me as I contemplate the process and follow on use of the stim unit. I am looking at the rechargeable unit and just have figured I would have to integrate the charging process into life as I have with the interferential stim unit I now GUM [is this where someone thinks, EWwww..... ]to my bod. I have to charge the thing after about 4 hours use, so as I look toward the implant and the notion of doing away with the gummy electrodes, the feet long leads which catch on everything and the generator which is like a 1970s calculator [think large], I am catching on to the notion of concern about battery life and charging.

I do appreciate the SHARING, and I hope the pain management with SCS continues to equate to a big positive for you all!!

Mark56

Mark,
My pain doc has told me my battery will do the best if I "top it off every few days" I sometimes forget to do that as I charge mine when I am driving (I am a home health nurse and drive tons of miles daily). My unit is on for the most part unless life is REALLY good then I have been able to have it off for as much as a week. But I am finding the pain seems to take longer to control if I leave it off for more then the time it take to charge.

Thanks folks....just checked my Stim and need to charge this evening...I usually do it when its half way done.....I was WARNED not to let it die or Id have to be brought back in So I dont take the risk... Usually just do it while watching tv, as it tends to move if I move around and then can take forever, so once I get full bar coverage I dont move