Hi everyone, I had the HF Nevro senza implanted 11 days ago. I am having a lot of problems with pain at the battery site. Has anyone else had this problem?

Welcome, I'm still a newbie here but have found a lot of support through my journey so far. Hopefully you will come to feel the same way too!

I'm almost at 5 weeks post implant of the Nevro Senza. My Nevro rep and specialist have told me my case is not normal, so please take my experience with a grain of salt!

In terms of pain the sensation on the surface of the battery site and surrounding area it is still numb and has been like this from a couple of days post op. In terms of nerve/internal pain, I get pain from the centre of my back out across to my hip that feels like a ripping sensation, I have been able to recognise that this occurs when my battery is moved slightly in the pocket due to positional changes like sitting or lying; my specialist has checked this movement and is not concerned. This pain was eased with the introduction of Lyrica, and once I was up to 300mg per day and some re-programming to reduce the output on all 3 of my programs. I have however started to ramp the Lyrica down and things are flaring again.

I'm sure your doctor has stressed the importance of keeping an eye out for any sign of infection such as redness, swelling, fever etc as if you suspect this may be the case contact your doctor straight away. My understanding is that infection can progress very quickly and can jeopardise your implant.

Hopefully things start to settle for you soon!

Welcome!

When I read your post I was hoping BumpyRide would jump on this!
I'm sorry to hear you are in pain. This seems to be a pretty common issue, especially this soon after implant. Like Bumpy mentions, keep an eye for infection and make sure doc knows how you are feeling. Hopefully it will subside sooner than not.
I recall that area being very tender for some time. It should eventually begin to wear off to the point that you forget you even have that pocket.....until it gets bumped or something

Other than the discomfort, how well is the unit doing on your originial pain condition? It can be frustrating the first few weeks as you are trying to decifer which is surgical pain and how well your other pain is being managed. Try not to become discouraged. Things will work themselves out, especially after you have a couple of follow up visits and tweaks if necessary.

Do stick around! We're a great bunch and always looking out for one another.
It's great to have you here!

Rae

Hi there Rae and BumpyRide,
the pain at the implant side is a ripping pain, like the implanted battery is trying to rip it's way out of my body, accompanied with a severe burning like molten lead deep within me. This all happens at recharge and for about 12 hours after...every day!
As for my original pain, being severe pelvic, leg and foot pain after an MVA , almost three years ago, the implanted SCS is wonderful...I cannot believe the reduction in pain. In fact my foot and leg pain is down to a 1 out of 10, the pelvis down to maybe 4 or 5 instead of 7 to 9 out of 10.
Thanks for your suuport!
Sue

Hi I am new here but 9 months post Nevro senza implant. All was well until a week ago when I started to experience pain at the battery implant site. It's steadily getting worse and I have no idea why or if it's something to worry about. I've had to go back to taking endone to get some relief but it's not helping anymore. Should I ride it out or should I see my doc?

I have had mine since 2008, has done an excellent job up to now. Yes my battery site is uncomfortable, mine is located in my left buttock. It has migrated upwards to the skin surface over the years. It can get painful at times. Also whilst charging gets very hot at site even producing a red raised area at times.
Now experiencing longer charge times, I charge every Wed evening used to take a couple of hours from half charged, now taking over 8 hours.
Seeing a specialist in June to have it checked out. Was told the battery should last 9 years at best but was informed due to my chronic condition, I may experience less time, the later has proven to be true. I never turn it off, the "layover" effect I have read from some users does not apply to me. When its off, two to three hours later I'm in acute pain again.
My stim has given me around 50% reduction in pain, enough for me to cope with no medication. I waited 5 years to get this implanted due to fear from more surgery. Once installed wish I had done it earlier.
It does not touch lower back pain, only radicular pain. I was informed of this at the time. The mechanical pain from my implants for fusion you just have to accept. The reduction in leg, foot buttock pain is worth the surgery.
I hope this helps someone. I will update after my appointment in June, looks like I may need a new battery.

The sharing common experience brings each who have similar equipment and issues closer as a group and in the contemplation of approach to the Doc about "what the heck is going on?" It feels so good to see this dialogue shaping.

Tenderness at battery/generator site is a phenomenon for most everyone regardless of equipment manufacture. The thing of it is the body is "zipped" open and a pocket created to hold the signal generator. Just think in terms of having a marsupial pouch inserted into your healthy body thank you..... so as to hold young. Think opossum, kangaroo, and others. Since we are not so equipped from the get go, that whole of the unnatural has just GOT TO wreak some havoc upon anyone whose body is so invaded.

My generator site was noticeably sore, then tender, then an annoyance, then less so, now pretty much unnoticeable as the progression of healing occurred. I do not have Nevro, but the Boston Scientific widget. Now, it hardly is of any import to me other than that it holds my "precious" device.

Every time I charge, the site becomes warm noticeably so. But then, I have come to accept this as par for the course, and its significance to me has waned. This manufacturer's device in my 24/7 use pattern I now charge roughly once every ten days or so. In the early days back in 2010 and my use was ramped up quite high my charging events were spaced far more closely together, and I always made sure to keep my charger close at hand. Now, not so much.

INFECTION possibilities...... gotta be ever vigilant for and about those. My personal experience with surgical infection was at the time of my Trial, and it was both unfun and messy.... not to mention frightening. For a far more intense read about the awful slippery slope ride on infection, take a look at Saffy's posts about her bout with infection which ultimately resulted in removal of her unit completely. That was a very very difficult row to hoe for her. Be vigilant. Be aware. Be cautious if redness, puffiness, pus, ick, fever and such become manifest. Talk to your Doc right away if any signs of that infection monster become evident.

I hope and pray all issues for each who experience these post surgical difficulties will abate. The technology works if the body will be accepting. I am thrilled to the max with mine.

Prayers,

Thank you for sharing! It's great to hear from someone who's had their unit for as long as you have.
You mentioned that your battery has migrated toward the surface over the years. I had the same experience, only it was because I had lost weight and the fatty tissue dissolved away.

From the sound of what you describe, it does seem that your battery is growing weaker. I'm so glad that you've had such good relief throughout the years.

It's great to have you with us, please stick around and let us know how this goes.

Caring,
Rae

Welcome!

Certainly let your doctor know what is going on. It irks me that they don't include regular follow ups with these implants. A lot of times it seems that once they do the surgery, that's that and we have to beg to have any issues addressed. That's why I am ever so grateful for this forum.
Seems that when we all put our heads together, we become more knowledged than the Drs

Glad you're here!

Rae

Yes I am very pleased with my stim, after 22 yrs of chronic pain, multiple surgeries, I can report I have been med free for over 6 years. Some days are bad but I take every day as it comes, always making the most of all of them.
Yes major changes have happened, but we all need to learn our limits, I certainly have had to.
Its good to read that others are having similar issues and I like the fact that forums like this exist. However bad I have felt or been, I always found someone worse off. Perhaps a few wise words from all of our experiences can lift someone up and make their day/life that little bit better.
Chronic pain is no joke which ever way you look at it, I've been a liar, told I was making it all up, why would anyone lie about it? Every MRI, CT I have ever had confirmed what I felt and told the docs/surgeons. The camera never lies!!!
To everyone going through this journey, its not easy, there are many decisions to make, some good, some you wish you didn't. Always stay positive, find a good doc/surgeon and make sure they listen to you, after all its your body, your condition, your future you may be trusting them with.
I have been fortunate, found the very best neuro-surgeon, he re-built my lower spine after I broke it in 3 places. It wasn't an overnight fix, took many years to get here, but it was the only option.
Trust in God, trust your inner self and work hard to get through it, it is possible.

Best regards,
German Shepherd Man.


Broken spine 3 places,
7 major surgeries,
spinal cord stimulator.