Hi guys...it's me again. I have a question. Has anyone ever suffered headaches after having their SCS implanted? As many of you have read, I had two implanted at the end of June (cervical and thoracic). The leads in the thoracic SCS were replaced with paddle leads three weeks ago. I have noticed that I have been getting more headaches after this last surgery, well worse headaches than usual. I suffer from migraines and always have a baseline headache but I wake up at any time during the night with one.

I know I need to call the doctor, and will do so. But I wondered if anyone else has experienced this??

Thanks -
Nanc

Headaches have not been among my repertoire for post surgical sideffects and symptoms. This one you should run by the doctor, especially if you have a well documented migraine history.

Pray for ya,
Mark56zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Thanks Mark56. At first I thought the pain meds after surgery were the cause of the headaches, then I haven't taken them for a couple of weeks so I know I cannot blame them. They are definitely different and getting worse

I have been getting migraines since I was a kid. The daily preventative stuff I take has cut them down tremendously. In the last three weeks since surgery, I have gotten three or four migraines and terrible headaches daily...something is certainly up with that!

I just sent my doc an email. I am sure I will need to see him sooner than I had planned on. I am still getting that pressure in my lower back too...ugh!

Thanks for the prayers, I pray too for some smoother days. It's difficult working like this
Nanc

Not that I have experienced. Now, there are certain medications that have caused headaches for me.
Are you taking anything different that might be the culprit?
I think CSF leaks cause headaches, but not sure on this. When you visit your Dr, you might want to see if he'll rule this out.

I hope they go away soon. I know how horrible they can get. I used to suffer migraines, but it's been years since I've had one.

Rae

Hi Rae, medications haven't changed. At first I thought it was the pain meds since that was something new, so I stopped them and the headaches have only worsened. I will talk to him about the CSF leaks.

Thanks...

Among the literature I brought home after my spine was touched every single time was the warning the SF leak could occur, and would definitely produce headache severely so if it did occur, so Rae get a GOLD STAR!! [sorry, no icon] Then there is the phenomenon of chronic headache of the migraine variety since childhood, also suffered by my dear wife.

No doubt you have worked with a Neurologist on the migraine issue Nanc since it is so longstanding, and if your surgeon comes up with a blank look, a neurological brain study could be done to confirm whether things have changed, say for instance, if you have a baseline study of that sort already. Such a record exists for my wife, so that is the reason for the suggestion.

I have personally as a spouse always found these headaches to be murderously frightening, because the symptoms are so awful and mimic other possible occurrences. We have been married quite a while, and I have been scared out of my wits more times than I can recall. Glad you are gonna bring this up to the doc.

Gladly keeping the prayers flowing for you Nanc,
Mark56

Definitely have the history with Neurologists...brain MRI's, CT's, you name it. Decided it is purely hereditary, no cause to them. I eliminated triggers. I am also gluten free, allergic to just about everything. My migraine prevention medication has helped me oh so much. These headaches, I have to say, have increased since the surgery and are a little different which is what concerned me. I do agree, gold star for Rae...like I said, I have sent Doc and email yesterday that I hope he will read tomorrow morning and call me. After Rae's note, I did search online and found that info

Not having the luck I had hoped with this surgery, it was truly our last ditch effort at pain relief with this RSD.

Again, the prayers are much appreciated!
Many Thanks!
Nancy

Hello
My name is Betty **. My husband, Charles and I have
lived in Leon County all of our lives and raised four
children here. Charles was an
hvac technician with his own business. He has always been a
productive, helpful, and loving
person.
In order for him to continue working to retirement, we were
advised of a spinal cord stimulator
that would alleviate his pain in his back and legs. Below
is a bit of his story.

Charles - 10/4/40

After many visits to pain management for pain in my leg and
hip, injections, etc.,
it was suggested that I might benefit from a spinal cord
stimulator(Boston Scientific, mfg.)
This device was installed on August 13, 2009 and I wore it
not activated for two weeks. When
it was activated, in about two hours a headache occurred. I
have had this headache
for two years.

The device was removed on October 5, 2010, thinking relief
would come. I believe the device
has injured me. My medical records from two of my doctors
state that this is indeed why my
health is gone and my quality of life is no more. I am now
under the care of a neurologist.
The latest attempt at curing the headache is with Botox
injections in the head.

I've had two sessions (3 months apart) and have seen no
change. The neurologist has told
me that if these injections do not work, there is nothing
else that can be done.

We have contacted several attorneys in the area for help
with legal action against Boston
Scientific. We can get no one to return any of our calls.
There are class action suits in process, but, we don't know
how to get on board.
Charles and I have had our "golden years" stolen from us.
We cannot even go to the grocery
store. Some days he can't even get out of bed because the
pain is encompassing.

Welcome to the forum!
How very heartbreaking this is to read. I'm so sorry about all of this.
You certainly should be enjoying your golden years, but this has thrown quite a wrench in things.
Don't lose hope tho, ok. I believe you're gonna end up in the hands of someone who WILL be able to do something about this.
So, your husband is still having this horrible headache even tho the unit has been removed?
I wonder if an MRI would reveal anything.
Does the headache dissipate if he drinks a strong caffeinated beverage and lie flat? Try this. If it helps then I would suspect it is some type of central spinal fluid leak. We have a CSF leak forum here you might want to take a peek at. Here's the link to get you there:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...aysprune=&f=78

Perhaps a puncture occurred during the SCS implantation. I've heard alot about CSF leaks. There are things that can be done about them.

Our beloved Mark56 will be along shortly to give some good input. He has a Boston Scientific. He also might be able to touch on the legal aspect of this. He knows alot about this stuff.

Please stick around and let us know how this unfolds.

Out of curiosity, I was wondering if the SCS helped with his leg pain?

I'm glad you found us. The support here never ends.

Caring,
Rae

It saddens me to read of your horrible result and the hopelessness feeling of being robbed of your Golden Years. I did a Bing browser search on the terms Boston Scientific SCS Class Action and found no indications of litigation regarding SCS although there was much litigation indicated pertinent to stents and ports, surgical mesh, ERISA, stock offerings, and purported patent infringement......

A question which pops to the surface for me is whether you all have ever made an actual appointment with a lawfirm to discuss your options as opposed to telephoning and waiting for a call back. There is a grand difference in the day to day workings of any lawfirm. Appointments are met, telephone calls from prospective clients do not rise to the ethical standard of requiring a ready, timely, or any response and ALL of this understanding the horrific pain which renders Charles imprisoned in home and bed. If an appointment can be made and attained even with the help of trusted friends to assist taking Charles to an initial consultative appointment to determine whether there are causes of action against anyone which could be pursued...... and a big thing to bear in mind is all states have a variety of laws bearing upon timing limitations in which to bring an action seeking to recover relief. The clock has been running on you all for some time now, and the issues are not necessarily limited to the manufacturer, as they may embrace the professionals who were involved in the implant and its removal.

So, obtaining an appointment for a discussion regarding the issues with counsel experienced in the laws bearing upon medical matters is a step forward apart from the placement and waiting for never returned calls from attorneys who do not see you or your husband as clients right now.

Oh, how I hope and pray beyond the stuff of thw words shared above both you and your husband may be able through proper care to receive restorative responses renewing life as you anticipated it.
Prayin here,
Mark56