Im just asking this because Im a bit confused as to what you all have. Im sure there are lots of different manufacturers of Spinal Cord Stimulators. And I know in the USA its been happening for many years. But over here in Ireland we are a bit more in the dark, (oh yes we do have electricity for those of you who ask) in relation to SCS implants. I know my Consultant operated on 12 patients prior to mine, all successful bar one!
My Consultant uses SCS from St Jude Medical in Great Britain. The reps come over for the trials and implants. They also hold 'clinics' for patients who need their stims adjusting. So my stim is called an Eon (ANS on my remote) Neurostimulation System. The address on the back of my literature says St Jude Medical, Texas.......
Now I know I have a small box that has 2 leads attached. I was shown the actual IPG and leads before I was brought down to theatre. Its only the size of a matchbox. Leads were probably 12inches long........

Is this the 'normal' one? Are there many varieties of SCS? What is a mini SCS?
What are paddles, and why are they used as opposed to leads?

Sorry for all the questions but you are all so well informed.

Thanks

I do believe you have so very much rich history and the like that I would not bend to suggest any lack of electric light. Besides, on St. Patrick's Day on this side of the pond, EVERYONE is Irish or at least a wannabe.

My unit is Boston Scientific, a bit of a switch since I was originally given all of the hype on ANS EON Mini by St Judes; thus, the need to rename my thread when it became so apparent I would receive Boston Scientific. This unit is rechargeable easily transdermally, has the size of about a silver dollar and three thicknesses thereof, a cool remote which even this dullard can use, and to top it all off, the device works!

How about that? I think they left the matchbox out of me, the matches, too []

Mark56 PJ

Jackie, you are so good to ask all these questions!
It is helping our forum to GROW!

I have the Medtronics, which is a huge worldwide Corp. Most probably yours and the Boston Scientific are too.....

Regarding your great question about the difference of Leads via Laminectomy vs. Percuataneous Lead placement....
This, too is a very good question!

For the sake of not repeating valuable info that has already been shared, here is a recent link discussing this very issue and I believe Wherewolf even provided a quote his Rep gave him regarding the difference and someone else provided a very informative link (Fiona?)

Here's the link to get you to this discussion:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread130297.html

Hope this helps!
Rae

I have 2 Boston Scientific SCS's , one for lumbaraarea and one for cervical area, and have affectionately named them "the twins". I never was given a choice of other brands as my pain mgmt. dr. only mentioned Bos. Scientific to me. They were used for my two trials and then, recently, for my new implants.

The link I think Rae is referring to is:

http://www.nationalpainfoundation.or...e-technologies

I found it very helpful. Hope you find a nugget or two that's helpful.

My boston simulator worked so much better then my medtronic one and I keep the same lead in the same place. All they had to do is use a connector and hook it up to my current lead. I love the way it feels and i finally got it where i needed it with out having to turn it up so high. I also only have to see the tech once a year for a repro. when i had the medtronic one i had to go at least once a month.

Hello Stim!

Nice to see you here, and WELCOME!! I am a Boston Sci user and very much appreciate its programs, means of addressing and managing the pain, and the fact that my rep had me to do the programming of my unit myself.... I have not had any tweak or adjustment of the device since the original implant 30 June 2010. How glad am I!!!!

Welcome again,
Mark56

Your input is very much appreciated!
Hope you stick around - I'm sure you have alot of valuable info to share!

How long did you have your Medtronic before you switched to Boston Sci?
Does it cover most of your pain, or do you need to supplement with meds?

It's good to have you!

Rae

Hi Stimhelp,

You're very welcome to our forum, I hope you find the support you need here, we're a good bunch and were good for info and lots of support when needed.

I have a Medtronic Stim since December and I still need some tweeking to make it work right for me. What made you or your doctor decide to change from the medtronic to the Boston stim, you don't have to answer but I am curious.

All the best,

Sinéad

Hi Sophie- Bribes work very well for a changeup in brand of unit. If it was worth my while and were I not such a principled simp, I might stoop to bribes.
Oh, I know, someone is going to hit me over the head with a wet dishcloth!!!
Mark56