Hey

I'm wondering if any of you had a choice in which company your SCS came from.

My trial SCS was through Medtronic, and I adore the rep, Mike. I had an instant connection with him.

One thing I rarely talk about is my fear of calling people. Close friends, doctors, it doesn't matter. There are less than 5 people I will call. I answer my phone with no trouble, it's the act of calling someone that terrifies me. I have no idea why, and it certainly isn't rational.

I am not at all exaggerating when I tell people that if I was alone and dying, I would probably die before picking up the phone and calling 911.

My mom makes most of my calls for me... she at least will start them and then pass the phone to me.

So when I met Mike before surgery, I felt like I would have -NO- trouble calling him. I NEVER have that feeling, even with close friends.

I know a rep is important in this process, and I was thrilled to have that connection.

Then I found out today that my doctor uses Boston Scientific.

Now I'm torn. My mom asked if we can persuade my doctor into using Medtronic. I don't want to upset him or go against his best wishes or opinions on which is the better company... I just doubt I will make this type of connection with anyone else.

I had researched a few companies, but not BS. Now I find out that their technology is advanced--the website says:

Now I'm thinking we shouldn't have said anything... and am wondering if I should have my mom call back tomorrow and cancel the request to ask to use Medtronic.

I'm torn. Which is more important--advanced technology that will be easier/better for me... or having a relationship with someone that I won't have trouble calling for help?

They are both important... but I can always have my mom help me make the calls... the technology may win out as being more important.

I don't know.

I'm wondering if anyone else has been through this.. if you were given a choice.. and if so, how you made it.

Surgery is on Wednesday... I'm running out of time.

I didn't have a choice in which company they used. Obviously different doctors have different opinions on which company is the best. When initially I was told about the SCS, mine is an ANS btw, I was given literature plus a DVD from that company 'selling' their wares so to speak. Everything was pro ANS. Even their forum was so positive. I dont recall reading one negative post at the time. I was amazed. But also fascinated by it all.

Now don't get me wrong but naturally all companies will beef up their advertising in order for their product to be chosen. This is the way things are unfortunately. So you then have to ask yourself are you actually getting the full picture or just the 'advertisement'

I understand how you feel about your rep. I too have a lovely lady rep. I will say though that I'm surprised that you had the trial done for one company and yet your dr is choosing a different company. One I'm sure he is very happy with which begs the question why didn't he do the trial thru them also.

Talk with your dr Sarah. Let him guide you. At the end of the day the rep you like might not always be available either when you might need him. But be happy whatever the outcome

I remember this happened to Mark as well.....the 'switcheroo'.....
He was led to believe he was getting the ANS, but at the last minute they informed him he was getting a Boston Scientific.
He's very happy with his unit, no doubt, so it all ended up well and fine.

I find it rather confusing tho that they would do the trial thru one vendor and the permanent with another whole different company. Makes for uncertainty, and IMO not fair to the patient..... and in fact it's the health insurance company who is paying for the unit, so they may have some say in this I'm not sure. This is certainly something I'd want to get clarity on.
#1) I would respectfully ask your doctor why he is doing it this way
#2) I would make sure nothing kooky happens as far as where your insurance company's coverage is concerned.....you wouldn't want something slipping thru the cracks or get caught in a loophole because of this not being made clear.......Make sure it's all in 'writing'.....

The literature you shared does indeed sound impressive.....especially the part about the battery not being susceptible to damage due to over-discharging.
This way you wouldn't have to worry about forgetting to keep charged.
I have Medtronics and so far am very happy with it....but it does emphasize to make sure to NOT let the battery run all the way down.....or it could prove to be fatal to the life of the unit.

Some of the literature does sound 'beefed up', as Jackie put it.....
Simply staggering the leads by a microfraction allows the coverage to suffice in 'sculpting the electric field'....and this is pretty standard procedure as far as I know....but it would be a good question to ask your surgeon....

I live in a rural community and so I didn't have a choice - my doctor's vendor is Medtronics and that was that.
All Reps, no matter which company are supposed to be available via phone and email, so if you don't like calling, you'd do well with the email.

It's good that you are doing this research, Sarah.....this is indeed a huge decision. To be honest, I would be a bit 'put off' by the fact that he did the trial with an entirely different company than what he intends to do the permanent. Both companies are very reputable, so there shouldn't be a problem per se, it's just that......you did the trial with Medtronics and for all we know the Boston Sci's coverage and stimulation might be a completely different feel for you. I don't understand why they do this.....but it happened to Mark too and yet he's very happy with his Boston Sci.

Try not to let this stress you out....but you do deserve a good explanation.

I'm just so very thrilled for you that the trial went so well. Either way, it appears your life is going to get a wonderful change for the better. You so desperately deserve this!

You bring up such an important point. Thank you for this thread!

I'm anxious to hear what your Dr has to say regarding the 2 differing companies. Please keep us posted!

My surgeon's nurse was out today... so we had to call and talk to the lady who schedules surgeries because she needed a number from us and wanted to tell me that insurance had approved the surgery.

I called her back (after 5, so I got her voicemail) saying that I did a little research and thought it through a bit, and asked her if she would cancel the request to ask the doctor if I could stick with Medtronic.. I guess he uses BS for a reason, and I do trust his judgment. It is just hard because I am not comfortable calling people and that makes it more difficult. If I didn't have that problem, I would not care which company it was.

I just got a feeling (that I hope is from God--it feels that way after I have prayed and thought about it) that I should not request Medtronic and just let it happen the way it happens. I don't know if that is the right way or not, but I will find out soon enough, I guess.

And to clarify--it was a different doctor who did the trial, so that is why two different companies were used.

The neurosurgeon doesn't do the trials... at least as far as I know. I didn't ask so he may--but the trial was done by an anesthetist. Then the surgery is done by the neurosurgeon.

So, if Mary gets my message before she talks to them, we will just go with BS. If not, we'll see--I will let everyone know if anything changes and I do go back to not using BS. I just got the feeling that this is what I should do.. unfortunately not before I wrote this message and asked everyone. Hah... oh well, hopefully it helps someone out there some day.

One week!

Is the Rep the Specialist Nurse you see before your stim trial?

The rep is the person from the company who supply the SCS. They are there solely to programme the unit. They wouldn't be a medical person well at least that's what my rep told me. They come from the actual company. Unless it's different in the states. My rep comes over from UK when implant is done and he then tweaks it for me.

Hello, My Medtronic rep "Mike" was great. He even held my hand when my pump became infected. Four solid hours! This guy was great. He even held my hand during the second infection. He even gave me his personal cell #. Four months later, two infections later, I still remember "Mike" He was a big six foot, Master Sargeant in the Marines. A real tuff guy, but the heart of a Teddy bear. My Medtronic people were excellent! Use them while you have them, they can be your best friend! Hope all goes well! Lots of Hugs WTR Nymph

Sarah, I am probably late in answering you but you know the reason (kidney stones) anyway, I also had my trial with Medtronic and then had the final one as Boston Scientific. I am also having another Boston Scientific this time around. The brand comes down to what doctor you are using because many doctors have favorite brands or ones they use most often. They will also tell you that whatever brand they choose is better because....but anyway I actually could tell a difference from my trial to the permanent but it could just be me. I am happy with the way things worked out because initially I was upset they were changing me to BS when I was already used to medtronic. So, if on the chance things don't work out it could be an even better experience in the long run I also think it is important to have a good relationship with your rep because I have seen both good and bad ones and you will have to keep in touch with them in order to be reprogrammed. I understand about your fear of being on the phone and making calls as I used to have a MAJOR problem with that too and I understand how hard it is and that it creates added difficulty when facing health problems. I am thinking of you and sending lots of prayers and thoughts your way! I hope that it works out where you do get the brand you want and the rep! Take care and love you 'sTara