Spinal Cord Stimulator Removal?

csx333

The internal battery may be dead. My pain dr. said they last 5- 8 years depending on use.

shawley

Call your rep , they will get it working again.

I ask my surgeon before if I got this stim and if I ever wanted it removed would he take it out. He said YES. I heard of nerves wrapping around it and scar tissue growing on it making it impossible to remove and he said Bull crap!
He promised to take it out if I want.. So yes they can remove it if you want it. I love my stim for leg pain.. Don't do much for my back tho.

ms_west

I thought the stim helped with back pain but not leg pain. Am I confused again?

lfoster21

I had the trial done last month, but due to the scar tissue problem, the Dr. could not get the leads in the area of the spine, that he needed to. He was able to go up my spine and placed the leads at T9 and that was able to give me some relief in my legs...but nothing in my back. The representative said that was because c9 was too high up to give me coverage of the back.

So, I am now going in to have a specialist of complex spinal problems, try to operatively go in and by-pass the scar tissue and try to place the leads in the correct place. Evidently, if they can get the leads at the T7/8 area (or lower), you should be able to get coverage of both the back and the legs.

I go in on thursday, and will be there for 1-3 days. If anyone else has input, I would be greatful.

Shawley-I was wondering if the stimulator works and you do the things that you were not able to do before the stimulator, do you stand the chance of re-injuring yourself by doing the bending, twisting and lifting etc?

Lorie

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happygirl440

Hi,
I have the ANS model and my leads are in T9-10 and I get coverage for my lower back and legs. Yes, they can remove it if it stops working or you no longer feel you need it. Yes, you can still hurt your back. The SCS masks your pain but does not prevent more damage from happening.
Cindy

lfoster21

Thank you so much for your thoughts. You knew exactly what I was looking for. I would think you still need to keep the same restrictions, so not to re-injure myself.

Thanks again,
Lorie

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shawley

Lorie , once the lead is scarred in it shouldn't move . I can still bend and twist without hurting anything . The stim won't keep you from injuring your spine , no. I was thinking your question was about the stim , not your spine problems sorry .

ms_west

[QUOTE=lfoster21;3529832]Evidently, if they can get the leads at the T7/8 area (or lower), you should be able to get coverage of both the back and the legs.

QUOTE]

How Exciting!!

Please keep us posted if this really provides you this relief! I would need it for both the legs and back.

Also what brand are you having put in?

shawley

I can feel the stim working in my lower back , yet it does not help the pain..So weird.. I'm glad it helps your lower back happygirl , consider yourself one of the Lucky ones because most people with the stim don't get back relief.. That I have read anyway ..

lfoster21

I am having the Advancd Bionic brand used and the specialist said that he is going to try to get it at T7/8, if possible. He said it is a 50/50 thing, but it can't hurt to try. He said he will wake me up and I will let him know if he has gotten it where it covers the lower back and hips as well as the legs. If he can not find a spot that does that, he is going to remove it and not go through with the inplant.

You all have been very helpful to me...thank you.

Lorie

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happygirl440

When are you having the implant?

Good Luck!

Cindy

lfoster21

I am going in on Thu. at 3PM.

Lorie

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shawley

Lorie from what I am told , the Bionic system is the best ! My PM Dr. told me the Bionic is really good for back pain . He wanted me to replace mine with this unit. But I'm ok with mine for now . My Dr. does both units , the Medtronic and Bionic's and he said he has more success using the Bionics. Of course he didn't do my implant , my surgeon did .. If I have known this before hand I would of went with the Bionic's . Some of these doctors stick with the cheapest units just to make more money off them. Its a shame they do stuff like this .
Good Luck with your implant