I have talked to you by email before. My mother found an attorney who is willing to take her case on a class action suit. Anyone else who is interested can email me at sherylrx3@aol.com. She had a SCS implanted and it shocked her. made her pain worse. she has a crooked spine and I think the leads must have gotten twisted. There are a lot of things in addition. Plus she is 64 yrs old. She has fibromyalgia. That is pain all over. I don't know why they thought a SCS would help her. She has terrible pain in the battery site. The thing never worked at all. It cost a lot of money to put in and to take out. The pain doctor who put it in promised her she would be able to go on vacation and travel and do things she hasn't been able to do in years. Imagine the false advertisemen!

Hi ALL, Seeker here, Has anyone had to have a battery replaced on the older medtronics SCS? My wife has had hers for 3 years and is nearing the end of battery life. She has severe pain and her STS set to the MAX almost always. In addition she is on meth and fentnyl.

I will probably be getting a STS in the near future. Any comments concerning the new rechargable Medtronic's units
Thanks for any help.
my Prayers are with you all

My name is Sherry. I had a spinal stimulator implant 12/12/2007. I love it it has given me 90 percent of my freedom back. After being in pain since 1989.
I had back surgery in 1989 one disc deteriated had one disc taken out, a fusion that didn't take. I have disc problems, deformity of the spinal cord, & spinal nerve root damage, fibromyglia, sleep apnea, TMJ, Reflex Sympathic Destrophy in my right foot, also got RSD in my left knee after having a knee replacement February 7, 2007. I feel for anyone who has to deal with pain. I would tell someone with pain how good I feel now.

I have the new ANS system (Eon Mini). The battery in my back is the smallest on the market (about 1/2 dollar).
I have some soreness where the battery is, but the trial was more painful to me.
Good Luck.

Hi DUTCH45
After reading so many "it didn't work" comments I was beginning to think I was a little nuts.
After trying epidurals, very temporary... botox injections, mild relief plus a lot of trials and errors my doc suggesed a trial for SCS.
Did the "outside" set up first before the leads inplant and for 4 days I thought "oh well another bomb".
I had been using a very $$$ tens set up which did help somewhat so doc thought this might be the better of the 2.
The 5th day I went in and told them this is doing not much better, let's quit.
That night I was in one of my frequent "I give up" moods. By the 3rd day I called his office and said the darn thing must have done something as I feel worse. Seems my brain thought it worked so when it was unconnected brain went into "what's going on now" mode.
That was 2 years ago. Does it "cure" the severe scolosis and kyphosis of course not, make it bearable sure does.
My "S curve" was a road block since he couldn't get the leads up high enough for a miracle but I'll take anything that helps. The pain in my legs and lower back is doable. I set it around 280 and jack it up to 325 or so when needed.
That's better than 6 Ultrams a day compared to 1 or 2.
The SCS combined with RAF of the facet joints is a winner.
Anyone here try the RAF of the facet joints...... I don't think I could continue without them every 5 months.
My doctor is an Anesthesiologist. Many are specializing in pain management and when it comes to my spine I want someone who knows what they are going.

BTW. I have read where some have the leads removed. Word of caution these are not intended to be removed that easily.. what with scar tissue and probable infections my doctor never removes them... he would removed the battery but that's it.
So make sure the trial period works for you first. Also wear a med bracelet or RX neck chain informing you have the implants and absolutley NO MRI or diathermy.
Thanks for listening.
Florida gal

Can I ask why no MRI? I don't have a stim yet, but asked my doc if I did could I still have an MRI and she siad yes. THis is important because I have MS and they will likely need to continue doing yearly MRIs. Maybe it's the make of the stim that matters?

Good reminder about the medical alert. I have one and when I get my stim I will add it.

Thanks!
Prairiegirl

WOW..

After reading a lot of the replies I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing or not.. I know the SCS is not for everyone but this scares me. I have a problem with a lot scar tissue to begin with, I have for years. I have CRPS, this why they want to do the SCS.
Please keep sharing your experiences, it helps to talk about this.

How many were scared to have this implanted in them?

I had a permanent SCS placed on Saturday, two days ago. It has been a long time in being able to get it.
I have a Boston Scientific. The SCS trial was very successful. However, last December the doctor who tried to put in the permanent SCS punctured my dura twice, causing two spinal fluid leaks, and damaged nerves down my left leg. After a week in Intensive Care I was finally able to come home in much worse shape than I was previously.
I was determined to never do that again.
I'm a science teacher and I love what I do. For the past two years I've used a scooter to be able to continue teaching. I finally decided to give it another try with a doctor that travels around the country teaching other doctors how to do SCS implants.
He was successful on the second try. I have a "hard" back because of scar tissue.
Reading about your stories frightens me but I'm determined that something has to help. I'm 49 and I love to travel, to teach, and I have 2 young granddaughters that are a delight.
I have an artificial disc at L5 - S1. However, I fell off my bike and had to get a fusion on top of the artificial disc.
Kim

Kim,
Sorry to hear about your initial experience with the SCS implantation. Hopefully the new one is giving you some relief! Most of the time, a patient with pain will continue to have some pain issues no matter what is done. It's a challenge to find the best balance between intervention and meds and their side effects, and the pain.
Good luck!

hi all, im new on here but basically just looking for people to chat with! i had my trial med tronic implant done last wed.......bloody painful initially, then got seriously worse as the days went on.....severe pain in my ribs. anyway went back for planned permanent inplant on moday. surgeon very good, did x ray and said that the elecrodes had moved....so again, whilst i was awake, they opened me up again and re aligned the electrodes....re programmed them and eventually put me to sleep and completed the full implant. Back/rib pain has now gone except the obvious pain from the surgical procedure. but now i have severe pain around the generator site. This is in my belly, and i am only a petite 8 stone size 6 43 year old female! it looks like i am about 8 months pregnant!i know it is only day 3 of my implant, but should i contact my GP regarding the pain. I am on volterol, tremadol, oramorph and amoxycillin....but i cant sleep, find it very difficult and painful to move and haven't had a pooh (sorry probably too much info there!) i dont want to sound like a whimp, but i think it is just the fear of the unknown.....any help/suggestions would be much appreciated.

thank you
lynnie