I have an SCS and have had it for 2 years. Honestly, for me it is lifesaving. Right now it isn't working and I have to go back for another surgery to have it repaired but this is just an anomaly. I was very nervous about trying the SCS at first but am so glad I went for it. I have extreme sciatic pain and it truly makes a huge difference. I am in terrible pain right now awaiting surgery. I can't wait to have the repair!!!

I'm curious also to hear what people are experiencing. I may possibly be looking at the same thing in the future. Fig, how many incisions did they make when they put yours in? Where are they (lower back or buttocks)? I know this sounds super vain, but I have tattoos and as much as I want pain relief, I'm hoping we can avoid cutting into them. And my butt is my pride and joy (hahahahaha) - don't really want to scar that up either. :-) I sure hope you both feel much better soon!!!
xoxoxox

What kind of insurance do you have and how much did it cover for your SCS? I've tried everything under the sun for my pain, and looking for something new. This may be the answer if I can afford it.

I have 3 incisions. The battery is in my butt but the incision is not big. However, I know they can put the battery in the back or even abdomen so there are options. There is a 3 inch scar along side the scar from my fusion and a small (almost unnoticeable) scar in my mid back. I've had so many surgeries I no longer care about scars but I can understand why people do. My neurosurgeon has been very successful working around tattoos.

I have Kaiser and the cost for my SCS was $100. I know a lot of people don't like Kaiser but in terms of all of my back surgeries, etc Kaiser has been wonderful

I have 3 incisions. The battery is in my butt but the incision is not big. However, I know they can put the battery in the back or even abdomen so there are options. There is a 3 inch scar along side the scar from my fusion and a small (almost unnoticeable) scar in my mid back. I've had so many surgeries I no longer care about scars but I can understand why people do. My neurosurgeon has been very successful working around tattoos.

I have Kaiser and the cost for my SCS was $100. I know a lot of people don't like Kaiser but in terms of all of my back surgeries, etc Kaiser has been wonderful

I have 3 incisions. The battery is in my butt but the incision is not big. However, I know they can put the battery in the back or even abdomen so there are options. There is a 3 inch scar along side the scar from my fusion and a small (almost unnoticeable) scar in my mid back. I've had so many surgeries I no longer care about scars but I can understand why people do. My neurosurgeon has been very successful working around tattoos.

I have Kaiser and the cost for my SCS was $100. I know a lot of people don't like Kaiser but in terms of all of my back surgeries, etc Kaiser has been wonderful

I have 3 incisions. The battery is in my butt but the incision is not big. However, I know they can put the battery in the back or even abdomen so there are options. There is a 3 inch scar along side the scar from my fusion and a small (almost unnoticeable) scar in my mid back. I've had so many surgeries I no longer care about scars but I can understand why people do. My neurosurgeon has been very successful working around tattoos.

I have Kaiser and the cost for my SCS was $100. I know a lot of people don't like Kaiser but in terms of all of my back surgeries, etc Kaiser has been wonderful

I have 3 incisions. The battery is in my butt but the incision is not big. However, I know they can put the battery in the back or even abdomen so there are options. There is a 3 inch scar along side the scar from my fusion and a small (almost unnoticeable) scar in my mid back. I've had so many surgeries I no longer care about scars but I can understand why people do. My neurosurgeon has been very successful working around tattoos.

I have Kaiser and the cost for my SCS was $100. I know a lot of people don't like Kaiser but in terms of all of my back surgeries, etc Kaiser has been wonderful

Sorry, I don;t know how that happened. I only meant for 1 response!

Sorry, I don;t know how that happened. I only meant for 1 response!

Sorry, I don;t know how that happened. I only meant for 1 response!

I have had an internal spinal stimulator since May2 012.. The experience I have had up to this point extremely negative. The sensations go into my vaginal area and stomach. In august my bateery in my butt flipped over and did not communicate with charger or remote control. For one month I dealt with it in all those uncomfortablearess. My Dr. Had to squeeze and flip my battery over. Ouch...if I had to do it all over again, I would NoT have done it. Now I am waiting for the people from the company to reprogram it. I had 5 surgeries.2 spinal fusions 2 laminectamies and temp stim and then the permanent one. It works great for some people. My battery flipped over b/c I lost 42 lbs. If I decide to continue lifetime stim ill hat the end ave one more surgery to anchor, move, and stitch the battery.oat the end of the day, its your choice. We all respond in our own way. Do what's right for you. Good luck. Millie

I had an SCS years ago before they became smaller and more reliable. Mine worked for the pain just fine until it didn't work anymore. My battery went dead or stopped communicating and they wanted to go back in and fix it. By the time I brought it to their attention my pain had shifted and the SCS would have no longer been effective for me.

My overall experience was a good one. They should put you through a trial first to make sure you'll benefit from it and then you can decide if it's for you. Everyone is different and reacts to these things differently.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experience, I really appreciate it, the information really helps me figure out what's best for me, I am going for the trial very soon, I owe it to myself to try, it has been such a long painful journey, hoping to find some reief an live a halfway normal life, thanks again everyone for your help- Sharon

Hi
I have had the implant since May of this year it has helped somewhat
but you can have a trial before you have the actual implant to find out if is for you.