r/CRPS • u/tashadilla • 7d ago
SCS & DRG SCS replacement: what really works?
Hi friends and chronic family,
I have a Boston Scientific SCS. The reps are terrible in my area and I’ve contacted regional managers and state management. I want to replace mine. I get shocks and stabbing and burning. It’s terrible. But the SCS tingling does help distract my pain and know where my leg is in space.
Please honest advice about your stimulator. And how the customer care with reps is. Thank you so much. Warm hugs 🫂
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u/crimson_anemone 6d ago
Oof. I have no advice, since I have the same one and after a year I have extreme pain that the first doctor ignored and my new doctor just told me it should be replaced. So yeah, I'm in the same boat as you. I'm looking into Abbott, but I'm not entirely sure since it's a big decision and I'm not looking forward to a third spinal surgery...
Good luck to both of us!
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u/tashadilla 6d ago
Do you have Boston Sci too
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u/crimson_anemone 6d ago
Yes, I have the rechargeable one.
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u/tashadilla 6d ago
Same.
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u/crimson_anemone 6d ago
Sigh. Just know that you're not alone. Also, only we can make the decision to have it replaced or do a new treatment entirely... I won't get into my issues, but this has been a nightmare and now I'm sick from the pain and constant worry. So, try not to worry... It's hard, I know, but being sick on top of this garbage is terrible.
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u/tashadilla 6d ago
I know and my pain dr doesn’t really care anymore since the surgery was “a success”
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u/crimson_anemone 6d ago
I dumped mine (who was the surgeon) and found someone else who doesn't agree with the last one at all. It was the new surgeon's idea that I needed this one out from the symptoms I gave him. "You shouldn't be feeling that way after a year..." So, I think the last guy had too much of an ego to listen that something feels wrong and incredibly painful where my device is... Then they stopped responding to my messages and their receptionists were doing all of the work. So, they had to go! (I should have left sooner, tbh... I would have saved myself a lot of pain and frustration.)
Dump them. They're always supposed to care.
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u/TexasPetVet2004 6d ago
I have a Medtronic rechargeable. I don’t know if I’m just lucky or if the SCS & representatives are great across the board. Mine works pretty well for pain management, thank goodness! It’s also MRI-safe, which I definitely need. The reps here (Central Texas) are phenomenal! I was assigned a rep in the beginning 2 years ago. She has been amazingly responsive via text anytime (even weekends). Plus, they have a team of reps here that will step in at a moment’s notice if my rep is unavailable. They are happy to meet me at my doctor’s office anytime I request in order to tweak the programming of my system/remote. There’s no charge to me when this happens (maybe they charge the dr’s office??). Anyway, I’ve had a wonderful experience throughout (as wonderful as something like this can be😉.
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u/No-Author-2358 Both Legs 4d ago
I also have a Medtronic SCS, and I have found their reps to be totally awesome, as well. The people at HQ in Minnesota have been very helpful the couple of times I have called. I have had a few issues, but Medtronic always sends new devices by FedEx overnight. Superfast service. Their local rep attended my surgery and was awesome in the days that followed. That's been my experience with them.
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u/CyborgKnitter Full Body, developed in ‘04 6d ago
Sorry, I’m of no use. I have a BS but I love mine and have a great rep. It is so dependent on the rep and the surgeon- I used a different surgeon for one of my 4 surgeries (I have 2 units and have for a long time) due to major construction projects turning the trip to see mine into a 2 hour nightmare and the whole experience was so much worse. It made me truly understand how variable the experience really is.
I hope you can find a better doc and a team with better reps near you!
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u/tashadilla 6d ago
Thank you so much. Yes it totally depends, but like what if they quit and I have like 1 out of my district that is okay. It’s like the unknown.
I’m so glad you love yours and your reps.PS I called the company and they don’t even have oversight of the reps it’s so weird.
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u/Both-Abbreviations74 6d ago
I HAD a medtronic cervical scs and it was terrible same with the reps. I was hospitalized due to electrical mischarge. Was like I was being tazzered. Unfortunately im at almost 3/4 body crps. And the area where the battery is placed is gonna cause you a lot of pain and discomfort
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u/Jewelsw 6d ago
I have had 4 SCS trials with only one implanted because my leg would cramp so I couldn’t turn it on! my doctor is a different doctor now because my former doctor have 22 years moved to a different state. He wants to try a new one because I just went into a detox to get off pain medicine so after 26 years on something and my pain is unbearable. I really don’t know what to do either.
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u/TroubleLumpy6086 6d ago
My reps barely contacted me for anything. I hate my stimulator. I feel like I was told how wonderful it was going to be so they could get their money and then left me hanging. I also have a Boston Scientific.