Hi All,
Curious if any of you have ever undergone a revisions for your SCS. I had my cervical SCS implanted 2 years ago for RSD in both arms. Unfortunately, the coverage has not been very good, I have to twist in funny positions just to get some form of coverage. My new Neurosurgeon has suggested implanting an St. Jude with for leads in the paddle and taking an approach of putting it down and in the cervical area instead of up and in like it is now with my Medtronic SCS which has 3 leads. I am leery of the surgery as the implant is how my RSD spread to my other arm (I went into the implant with RSD in only 1 arm) but as a result of the surgery, I have a pinched nerve in my neck that could be fixed by the revision, and am hopeful for better coverage. Have any of you ever undergone revisions, if so, were they helpful? Any input would be greatly appreciated as I finalize my decision. While I understand I must do what is right for me (and I am leaning towards getting it done) I would like to hear what others have experienced.

Thanks to those who share their experiences with me!
Angie

Several have undergone revisions on here.... well, not actually not undergone on here, but reported on here...... no docs have attempted virtual revisions on these threads, in fact the only doc [not a Doc, but a moniker] who writes here is from outer space.....

Anyway, the reported revisions have tended toward the beneficial, and I am sure they will soon chime in. Please return soon, for Rae, among the revision targets for a migrated lead, found herself none the worse for the wear thereafter, when it was discovered just removing the migrated lead left her with good coverage from the remaining lead.

Others have gone through revision with good result.

We will be providing you a good lot of support throughout the process now that you have brought yourself here to have our care. Do not be surprised when it turns prolific, as those who here post are a caring lot of wonderful people!!

Prayin,
Mark56

Hi Angie,

I've had revision surgery for the Medtronic SCS in my lower back. Unfortunately for various reasons it didn't work properly for me, and with that my Consultant suggested removing it altogether for a newer SCS. There have been many great reports with this SCS and although I know very little about the St. Jude's some folks on here have one and hopefully they will chip in.

Have you a time frame for this?

I do hope you're pain is managble since,

God bless,

Sinéad

R

Thanks to those who responded to me and offered support, it is much appreciated. Having the awful day that I am having today, your support has really been uplifting. While I have not had any problems with my Medtronic SCS (other than the lack of coverage,) my Dr wants to switch to the St. Jude because of having four leads instead of three, giving me the chance for better coverage. Since he is having to take out the work done by the other Neurosurgeon and put in the new one with the different approach, why not aim for more coverage?

I go see him on Tuesday and will be scheduled for surgery on that very day so only time will tell how long we are talking, but I don't think it will be that long. If I am doing it, now is the time as I am a teacher and every year I run out of sick days because of all my medical problems so I will have time to recover while I am on summer vacation. I am excited about the prospect of better coverage (it can't get worse) but leery of the whole process as the last recovery was not an easy one.

I will keep you all posted on Tuesday!

Hi Angie!

Sorry for the trouble you are having.

I had two St Jude stimulators put in last June, one cervical and one thoracic. I had to have a revision on the thoracic one in November. The leads had migrated, so they changed out the percutaneous leads for paddle leads. It did help me greatly!! I am a fan of St Jude since it helps me and I have great reps. I do not have any experience with the other brands.

They opted for separate units so they could use the max number of leads on each of them. The cervical one needs to cover both of my arms and hands, which it does pretty well. Unfortunately, I have a pinched nerve in my neck also and it doesn't help it...well, it might if I crank it way up but I can't tolerate it way up!!

Luckily these surgeries did not cause a spread for me, but hitting my foot on the door jam did...go figure!

Good luck at your appointment, I hope you can get the relief you need.
Nanc

You should be able to talk to your doctor about doing blocks before the surgery if you are worried about the spread. It sounds like it might be a good idea if you aren't getting the coverage you need. I know how frustrated you must feel to "start over" and go through the recovery all over again, but if it could help that would be great. I did go through a revision but I kept the same unit and the leads needed to be moved down, so it was not as complex as yours. However, I am very glad with my decision to go through with my revision because my coverage was so much better after, and we all deserve good coverage and relief. You mentioned your surgeon is new so do you feel that you can trust him and does he have a good reputation?

And a Belated 'Welcome' to you!
I'm sorry that I'm a day late and dollar short. I've been gone.

It sounds like you and your doctor have a good plan going. I'll anxiously await your update.
My revision was a very minor one, as Mark had mentioned. One of my leads had migrated down 6 inches and it evidentally had been like that for quite awhile. So, when we realized I was getting plenty good coverage from the one lead, we just pulled the migrated lead and I'm doing quite well with only one lead.

I pray that your procedure goes according to plan and that also you can get that pinched nerve fixed!

Caring!
Rae