Spinal cord stimulator lead break

[Tina1218]

I had a advance bionics (Boston Scientific) spinal cord stimulator placed of complex regional pain symptom in my lower extremeties in June 2007.  After the stimulator was placed I notice strong shocks on my back from time to time.  Employee from Boston Scientific stated it couldn't be the stimulator but after review they thought it was from the leads moving and crossing over each other due to placement (left and midline).  After readjustment things went fine until June 2008 when the stimulator started feeling like it was shutting off and when it came back on I felt like I was getting a jolt.  This was happening frequently throught the day and night.  My ability to work or walk more than 100ft without crutches became impossible.  I reported the "cutting out" to my pain management doctor and he contacted Boston Scientific they downloaded information from the SCS multiple times and showed me how some of the areas (there are a total of 16 areas) were reading high.  They tried to program around the bad areas multiple times without success.  Finally in April 2008 I had the SCS tested which required another surgery.  They found three areas that were bad the impedance on area 12 read as high as 6000 and area 14 read about 2000 and area 15 was about 1200.  The normal level of impedance should be around 300-500.  I still don't feel back to pre spinal cord stim. level.  Has anybody else experienced shocking, cutting out and any malfunction of their leads?  Thank you for your help.
Tina

[ajmaines]

Do you know of anyone that may still have the charger/controller for the Boston Sci Precision system?  Have moved many times & have these boxed. . . .want to purchase extra so I don't go through this again. . . .thank you! AJohnson

[shinty]

This is an old post. Got me!!!

[shinty]

I'm scheduled to see a representative from the same company that implanted your stimulator. I'm going to print this post and see what he/she thinks and says about it. I must admit it doesn't make me that encouraged to go ahead with the stimulator test at all! I wish you the best .
                                   shinty

[TeeJay316]

My Father had his Advanced Bionics Precision Stimulator removed due to the same symptoms. They tried to reprogram the device and to discourage the removal at nearly all cost. There is something going on with these internal implant stimulaters that the medical community does not want to get out. My Father has had no further JOLTS in is back but the pain remains where the incision site is.  This is one of the worst ideas in pain relief they have ever come up with. Do you have any recall information on other stimulater recalls besides the St Jude ones?

[Tuckamore]

Hi Tina,
Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am very sorry to hear about the problems you have had with your SCS. I do not know the details and precision operation of the Stimulator. I have heard about many undesirable effects/issues on this forum.

I do not have any personal experience with the device.When I have done research on the internet regarding the device there are many complications and problems listed that have caused me concern and I would not consider an implant.

According th the information that I have obtained through all the reading/research I have done it sounds to me that your SCS is not functioning properly. I suggest that you return to the practitioner that is responsible for the device and insist that it be corrected until it is functioning as intended. We all must be our own pain management advocate and I encourage you to be assertive and have the issue resolved.

I'm sorry I cannot offer personal advice and I apologize my response to you is tardy. My parents have been very ill the last several days. Best of luck to you. Please let us know how you are doing. I hope you will become an active member of our community. Your experience will SCS would benefit other members and I am confident that in exchange you will find support and friends. I'll look forward to your updates.

Take Care,
Tuck