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Removing a neurostimulator!!

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 6/18/2017 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi this is my first time posting and would like to hear from people that have had their stimulator removed.

I have a boston scientific and it is being removed next week. I have had the stim now for 3 years, it gave some relief (good distraction at times). I used to have it on 24/7 until I started waking up with the shakes a few months back. My weekly charging changed to every 2nd day and then the remote wouldn't connect with my implant. Long story short, I need an MRI as the last time I had a CT Mylogram I ended up in ICU. So have decided to remove it all together.
I had a dissectomy in March last year left L4/L5 and now the right side is giving me grief.
My leads are across my L5 area and down to my coccyx.
I know i have a lot of scar tissue due to doctors having trouble placing the needles for facet joint/nerve blocks earlier this year. My neurosurgeon has removed only 1 before..
So how much pain did you experience? ? Was it a day case? How long for recovery? Anything else you would like to share with me.?
Posted 6/19/2017 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
This is something that I was really concerned about prior to having my implant. Mine is MRI safe. I have had a couple MRI since having the implant. I just have to turn it to "safe". I was very hesitant prior to getting mine. I waiting a year after doc kept saying this is what you should do. I do get good relief from it but it scares the heck out of me being in there. Good luck with the surgery.
Posted 6/19/2017 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nurse & welcome to the forum. I too wish you the best of luck with your surgery. I searched through the archives here & could not find any info that would be of help. In most instances the dr would remove the battery pack only. Is there a reason that you did not seek out a neurosurgeons with more experience in removing the units & leads?

I think I would be asking the surgeon the questions you have posed here. Take care.
Posted 6/19/2017 8:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Susie
The reason for sticking with the new neurosurgeon is due to many factors..the first one being short waiting list.
A good friend of mine also scrubs for him and he claims he is very competent. I am hoping he will be able to locate the clips for the two leads running along L5 as I feel them pressing on a nerve and part of the problem. I just want it out.
Posted 6/19/2017 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Nurse, I totally understand the I Want it Out thing. I hope the dr will consider doing a CT before surgery to locate the clips. My thoughts depending on how much scar tissue there is without any type of complications you are looking at a good 6 weeks, perhaps longer before you start feeling decent. Removing the battery pack is not much of a big deal, its the leads. It is difficult to predict since everyone heals differently.

Please come back & let us know how your surgery turns out. As I said before, most of the old threads were people having issues with their units or upset because their dr would not remove the leads.

Take care.
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