I have both peripheal and scs implant. Please feel free to contact me with questions.

I may be the only(?) that has had both the Medtronic and Boston Scientific SCS systems implanted.
I have been suffering a pinched L5 nerve for several years. The Doctor's and I have a good idea of where it is most likely pinched, there is no conclusive evidence via an MRI. Over the years before I had SCS implanted I tried just about all the different procedures from injections to nerve ablation with no result.
In February 2009 I had the Medtronics Ultra Restore implanted after a very successful trial. The therapy delivered probably saved my life - we all know the battles with chronic pain....
Everything was going quite well until March of 2010. One of the leads got bunched up and required revision surgery. Starting in November of 2010 I started having a deep pain that -to me - felt like it was coming from my spine. As the month progressed it became a bit worse and knew it was time to see a new Surgeon (I had lost faith in the first one) . About a week before my appointment I had several attachs of a deep indescribably pain that just froze me in place and speechless for les than a minute. Ended up at the ER. The x-ray showed one of the two leads had dropped three inches and the excess wire was pushing up against my spine and probably pushing on the Central Rami that runs down the back of the spine. At the ER they were able to move the wire just pushing gently on my back so the lead was no longer on top of that area.
Several days later I had the entire system explanted. Then I had to wait 30 days for the surgery to heal completely. My new Surgeon implanted the Boston Scientific system via a small laminoctomy on February 3, 2011.
My initial feeling is they both provide - for me - very good relief. I find a large part of the success is the how the "buzzing" acts as a distraction from the pain has much as decreasing the pains overall intensity.
It's only three weeks with the new but already know the pluses and minuses of each companies system. I will be posting more about my experience with the Boston Scientific and explain what I see as the differences in the products.
If anyone has questions I will do my best to answer - but please be patient..

I have had my scs since febuary 2009 and the first year was great. This second year I have more pain and have had to turn it up higher and higher. I went to the doctor who said all he could do would be to implant a second stimulator. I'm still tring to work but fined it getting harder each day. I was told I do not qualify for disability. Do you have any suggestions ?

Constantly in pain


Donnap9

I saw your post and it caught my eye, as I am dealing with some VERY similar issues to what you describe!

I see you've been a member since 2009, so you probably already know this, but just in case, I wanted to make sure you knew there is a forum here for SS Disability.....here's the link..
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...aysprune=&f=28

There are some very knowledged folks there who can really help you in this area.....
Also, there's a forum here specific to SCS's.....in the main menu, it's listed as a subforum in the "Medications & Treatments" section....
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...ysprune=&f=118

Feel free to come on over there and you will probably get some good feedback regarding the SCS....

Caring!
Rae

I think a Spinal and back pain forum is a great idea I would love to talk about my fusion and share my knowledge, but most of all learn from others. It would allow this site to be less scattered.

I am new to the site and forum. I have suffered w/chronic back and leg pain for years. I am scheduled for some injections next week and the Dr is also suggesting a SCS. I know nothing about either. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I also spent countless hours trying to find a site with a forum on thisw topic.

How do you get to the SCS Forum?

Yes I would like to see more on SCS as my Dr. is suggesting this may be an option for me to consider

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

Here is our SCS forum which discusses SCS and other implantable devices for back pain:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum118.html

I've had my scs since 2003. I've had 8 back surgery's and 2 two scs surgerys. If it wasn't for the scs, I wouldn't be able to walk, work or exercise. Unfortunately I now have the Thoracic problems with disc, which this unit does not help. Mine controls both legs, and lower back. The arachnoiditis I suffer from is almost painless, unless I totally over due it, due to the scs. If I don't have it on, withing 1 hour I"m in a level 10 pain. So yes, this unit is wonderful.