If you have a implanted one please let me know how good it has worked for you. Everyone I have talked to says " I take no pain meds and it stopped 80% of my pain!" I also have been told that " I have gotten my life back." Please let me know if you have one or have been told anything about one.
Thanks Thomas Brunner
HI, MY BROTHER HAD ONE IMPLANTED 2 MONTHS AGO, EVER SINCE THEN HE'S BEEN ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL 3 TIMES, AND THEY WANT TO OPERATE ON HIM AGAIN, I TALKED HIM OUT OF IT AND TOLD HIM TO SEE ANOTHER SURGEON TO CLOSE THE GIANT HOLE LEFT IN HIS BACK AFTER THEY REMOVED THE DEVICE, HE ONLY HAD PAIN RELIEF WITH THE TRIAL DEVICE, BUT THE PERMANENT ONE CAUSED MORE PAIN THEN BEFORE, CAUSED A STAPH INFECTION WITH LARGE AMOUNTS OF OOZING PUS, HIS PRIMARY DOCTOR AGREED THAT HE SHOULD NOT LET THE DR. WHO IMPLANTED THIS PIECE OF CRAP TOUCH HIM AGAIN. HE IS NOW BEING REFERRED TO A WOUND UNIT OF THE HOSPITAL. I WOULD ADVISE PEOPLE NOT TO DO THIS, LIVE WITH THE PAIN YOU KNOW NOW, BECAUSE IT CAN BECOME MUCH MORE WORSE. GOOD LUCK, AND PRAY FOR MY BROTHER.
I had my implant in July 2012, since then I had infections, and was cut twice, now my doctor says he needs to cut again to explore then problem. Getting this implant was the worse decision I've made. The pain on my right side is unbearable and is always swollen and red. I dont only suffer from Servere Migraines but also have Fibromyalgia, and severe Sjogren's Syndrome, fighting infections is not easy since my immune system is low. Now the doctor tells me that the he needs to cut again because is always swollen and extrely red. It hurts more and it affect my trigger points and I'm always in pain. I'm so confuse as to what to say to the doctor; do I let him cut me again? or should I ask him to remove the darn implant(that would mean cuting my lower back area, my bra strap area, and two cuts on my head. I treid to get a second opinion but its been difficult.
Rosie
Hello
Having had chronic pain, I can imagine just a bit what you are experiencing.
As a result of a damaged nerve from an accident about 2 years ago, I investigated the St Jude Device after my family doctor suggested I talk with a pain management specialist.
I've been through all the trials and about two weeks ago, my pain management doctor successfully completed insertion of a pain management device in my back. A representative from St Jude Medical was also on hand to answer any questions.
I walked out of the hospital on my own, two feet and experienced some discomfort from the hospital procedure the first week-end I was home. Since then my chronic pain has been reduced by at least 90% and my discomfort from the surgical insertion is down substantially.
This past week, I went back to my doctor for a follow-up visit and to learn more about proper use of the St Jude Medical Device. I am glad that I went through the procedure and want to congratulate you on your decision to investigate and pursue this course of treatment.
I had my St Jude Spinal Cord Stim inserted 12/23/2011 and love it. This was after three back surgeries which included a rod placed at S1/L5. Unfortunately for me, I had scar tissue starting to impinge on my nerve and this was the only answer. i tried numerous shots, physical therapy, you name, before finally having the stim inserted. The stimulator allows me to exercise, walk, sit (which is a biggy), stand, everything like a normal person again. Not sure about these other people, but I do not take any drugs, except for ibuprofin or naproxin.
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Hi,
I had my spinal cord stimulator installed in June of 08, mine is a Boston Scientific/precision model, but they all work about the same. The SCS has taken away my neuropathic or nerve pain, but not my mechanical pain. For my mechanical pain I still take opiods daily.
When I first was going to try for the SCS my pain management Doctor told me that they worked great for nerve pain, and since my legs were affected and I could hardly walk, I thought this was the device for me! But he also told me that my mechanical back pain was going to remain the same, and that unfortunately I was going to remain in opiod therapy for that.
Did you go through the trial yet? When you go through it, you will notice the change in your nerve pain (hopefully!), a friend of mine went through the trial and it did not work for her at all! So, I wish you luck and I hope that your trial and surgery goes well. If you have any questions, let me know. Take care,
Millie
Hi: you are the first person to tell me that it did not stop the drug use. I have talked to 12 people that told me it has stopped 75 to 80 percent of there pain. I am taking a heavy dose of pain meds now. I have steel plates in my hands and feet and 2 knee replacements. The doctors want to put two steel rods in my back for the back pain I have. How long was your trail? Did you know it did not stop all the pain when you had your trail? Did you get the unit re set for a higher setting after you figered it did not stop the pain?
Well Thomas, I always knew that the SCS was not going to take care of my mechanical pain, my pain management Doctor made me aware of that before the trial, but it took and is taking care of my nerve pain 100%. Nerve pain and mechanical pain are two different animals, so I did stop taking Neurontin and Lyrica for the nerve pain, what I couldn't stop taking was the Methadone and the Dilaudid for my mechanical pain.
My trial lasted for 5 days. Since I couldn't walk without a walker because of the pins and needles on my feet and legs, the trial was a huge success to me. I inmmediatley notice that my mechanical pain from the instrumentation was still there, so that did not change at all, only the nerve pain changed. See, I believe that people need to realize that this device is not a cure all! It works for nerve pain, for someone with neurological damage or with neuropathy on the legs due to diabetes or any other condition, the SCS is wonderful! But for someone that suffers from mechanical pain ONLY, the SCS is not the device for them, perhaps an intrathecal pain pump might be a better option.
So what the SCS did for me was stopped me from taking 2 extra meds, and allowed me to walk with a cane instead of a walker. I also feel more comfortable walking long distances, but a cure all was not! I hope that this clears any doubts that you had..... Take care,
Thanks for the letter back to me . It made me feel better about it!
You are very welcome, I hope that your journey is an easy one, and that the SCS provides some pain relief for you.
Millie
Hello Thomas,
I'm guessing by this time you have already had your implant done---or have given up on the idea. I had a Medtronic device implanted in March and it has been a God-send. I have a deteriorating spine and the stim has brought me at least 80% relief from pain. I take no meds (can't because I tend to get stomach ulcers). Please take the advice of "graceohio" with some reluctance. I'm terribly sorry for her brother but we need to understand no procedure/surgery is 100% successful. There are those unfortunates who will fall within the percentage of failures. I wish you well and hope you will be as satisfied with your implant, as I am with mine. BTW, I probably should also tell you that I'm 82 years old!
Pat,
I'm 61 and a diabetic (who is tightly controlled) and have chronic back pain and neuropathy in my left leg making it significantly weaker. I have had one surgery about 7 years ago. Lately, I have had 3 lumbar injections, the first 2 were steroids and the last was a block. I got no relief from the steroids but had a glorious 3-5 days after the block. I am on Lyrica and Tramadol. I have not experienced a pain free day for a very long time and some days/nights are worse than others. I have been investigating the St. Jude's neurostim. The thought of inserting electrodes in my back is frightening, but the hope of even a 50% reduction in pain is enough to make me want at least the trial period. Your experience gives me encouragement. I do not and have not thought this would make me pain-free, but make things more bearable and reduce my medications. Thank You