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Re: ANS Spinal Cord Stimulator Problems
Posted by David Friedeberg on 3/09/08

    On 2/10/08, Laurie wrote:
    > I had my trial done on 2/1/08. The trial was suppose to last up to an hr. and
    > ended up lasting 3 hrs. There was too much scar tissue and the Dr. kept trying
    > to push through it. He said often that would work, but unfortunately for me,
    > the s.tissue was like a rock and with each push, it pushed against the spinal
    > cord and caused excruciating pain. Finally he decided to go up to T9-11 to
    > place the leads (the lowest they could place them). Then I went into an
    > office room w/ the rep. and he tried tweaking it to get the tingling feeling
    > up to my L. Back and my hips. He tried all 4 basic setting (while showing me
    > how to do it) and couldn't get it up to that area. He said to go home and
    > play with it to find the setting that comes the closest to my lower back.
    >
    > I was in cont. pain for the next several days w/no help and by the 5th, I set
    > up for the Rep. to meet me at the Dr. office to tweek things. He tried to
    > tweak it w/ many types of settings and nothing got past the top of my legs.
    > He talked to my Dr. and they did an Xray type of picture and here's the
    > kicker...the Rep. (a different one from who was at the procedure) looked at
    > the pix. and asked the Dr. if there wasn't any way to get leads past T9
    > because at that level, there was no way that it would reach my hip area. So,
    > they ended up taking them out. The odd thing was that the 1st rep. was in the
    > room talking with my PM Dr. while this was being inserted and knew that, due
    > to the s. tissue, T9 was the best they could do. He never told my Dr. that it
    > would not work at that level. It was also odd that even though the PM Dr. told
    > me that he was 1 of the specialist that teach other Drs. how to do this
    > procedure, yet he did not know that T9 would not work. Unbelievable!
    >
    > Now, I have a worse problem. Since they took it out on the 4th, my pain at
    > both, the area the leads went in at as well as the T9 area, have just kept
    > getting more and more painful. I looked in the mirror a couple of days ago and
    > even though painful, nothing looked odd, except for swelling that I always get
    > if I have overdone things. But tonight, I felt my spine (where the pain is)
    > and felt a hard bump exactly where it hurts. When I looked in the mirror,
    > where the leads went in, my back is suncken in and just up a bit, where the
    > leads were placed, you can feel two hard and painful bump. Sliding my hand
    > from top of spine and down, it starts out smooth and I can't feel anything
    > odd, then bump, and another bump and then a dip and then back to normal. When
    > I touch ea. of the odd places, the pain increases. I'm pretty scared and will
    > be calling the Dr. but has anyone had anything like this.
    >
    > Thanks, Laurie
    >
    > On 12/04/07, Shonda Malone wrote:
    >> On 9/20/07, Kimberly Mullen wrote:
    >>> On 5/09/07, Mark wrote:
    >>>> I had a precision SCS placed in April of 2006. Everything was working
    >>>> fine. Then in the beginning of April 07 it stopped working. Contacted
    >>>> the company and they are like humm we have never had this happen before.
    >>>> Today May 09, 2007 went into the doctors office and had a flouro of the
    >>>> stimulator done to see if anything was disconnected. My doctor says he
    >>>> cannot see anything wrong. BUT of course the company rep was there and
    >>>> says maybe it is the connection to the stimulator itself. That it could
    >>>> have moved a little bit. Now I am told the only way to see what is wrong
    >>>> of course is to have another surgery. Then after all this the rep is
    >>>> playing with the remote and turns it all the way to max. Then guess what
    >>>> it gave me a jolt like I stuck my finger in a light socket and of course
    >>>> quit working again. My legs literally came up off the floor when I got
    >>>> this jolt and the stimulator is for my arms.
    >>>> The more I read on here about the SCS the more I am unsure if to even
    >>>> let them do another surgery. The reason I got the ANS stimulator is so
    >>>> that I did not need another surgery right away. I also have a medtronic
    >>>> stimulator that was placed in 200 that only worked about 6 months. So I
    >>>> was really leary about getting the ANS stimulator. But I was assured by
    >>>> the rep. that this is the best there is out there and that it should be
    >>>> about 20 years before I would need another surgery. Now I am at a loss
    >>>> of what to do. I hate putting my family through me having another
    >>>> surgery. My two boys know that I have RSD and understand why I cannot do
    >>>> what other fathers can do. But damn they shouldn't have to understand
    >>>> this and to see me go through another surgey and thier mother take care
    >>>> of me this way.
    >>>>
    >>>> On 4/24/07, nyc baxter wrote:
    >>>>> I had my spinal cord stimulator inserted in October. I was ambivalent
    >>>>> about doing it mostly because I have 3 small children and 8 wks of
    >>>>> recovery (which was a true time for me) seemed impossible, but with
    >>>>> help from friends, family, and church I managed it. Now 6 months
    >>>>> later, I was told that all 16 of the leads are disconnected. There is
    >>>>> no tear that they could see on an xray, but it does not work at all
    >>>>> and I have to have another surgery to do it. I don't know what to
    >>>>> do. I spoke to someone at ANS today and told her I'm livid. Since
    >>>>> it's been within a year of implanation, they will cover equipment with
    >>>>> the warranty, but I was more worried about how to take care of my kids
    >>>>> during the recovery period, she said that when they get the equipment
    >>>>> back they can see what the prob was and at that time see if they can
    >>>>> help monetarily, Hmmm, doubt it. Does anyone know if there is any
    >>>>> legal recourse?
    >>>>>
    >>>>>
    >>>>> On 4/17/07, Kelley Lampe wrote:
    >>>>>> I had a stimulator implanted in June of 2003. Recently the implant
    >>>>>> would not turn on. Then I began to have severe pain in that area as
    >>>>> if
    >>>>>> it were twisted. Could this be that it is corroded also? I have an
    >>>>>> appointment next week to take it out. It has been replaced once due
    >>>>> to
    >>>>>> the leads breaking. I am just in so much pain and I have not taken
    >>>>>> pain meds in a few years.
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>> On 4/01/07, Kelly wrote:
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>>> I had a SCS implanted last week and they could not get it to work
    >>>>>>> properly. The doctors feel it was because of the inflamation from
    >>>>>>> the surgery, I go back tomorrow to have it turned on again. Your
    >>>>>>> reaction to this makes me so nervous. I wish you luck.
    >>>>>>>
    >>>>>>>
    >>>>>>> On 3/06/07, phatkats wrote:
    >>>>>>>> can you describe for me the pain that you felt. I'm wondering if
    >>>>>>>> it is the same as I'm experiencing. I'm at a loss as to what I
    >>>>>>>> should do. The pain is unmanagable and hate to think that the
    >>>>>>>> stimulator has to be removed after all it took to get it right.
    >>>>>>>>
    >>>>>>>> Thanks - my email address is phatkats@optonline.net if you want
    >>>>>>>> to communicate directly
    >>>>>>>>
    >>>>>>>> On 3/05/07, meme wrote:
    >>>>>>>>> On 3/04/07, phatkats wrote:
    >>>>>>>>>> On 3/04/07, meme wrote:
    >>>>>>>>>>> Has anyone had problems with their leads corroding
    >>>>>>>>>>> regarding ANS Spine Stimulator?
    >>>>>>>>>>>
    >>>>>>>>>>> I had an ANS Spine stimulator implanted and within a few
    >>>>>>>>>>> months I had it removed because of increased pain.
    >>>>>>>>>>>
    >>>>>>>>>>> When the doctor removed my ANS spine stimulator he was
    >>>>>>>>>>> able to diagnose why I was having such horrible
    >>>>>>>>>>> pain....the leads from the spinal stimulator had corroded
    >>>>>>>>>>> and were disintegratig while inside my body.
    >>>>>>>>>>>
    >>>>>>>>>>> Has anyone else encountered this problem? If so, did you
    >>>>>>>>>>> have better luck with a different brand of spinal
    >>>>>>>>>>> stimulator?
    >>>>>>>>>>>
    >>>>>>>>>>> I just don't know what to do at this point and have fear
    >>>>>>>>>>> regarding implanting another type of spine stimulator. I
    >>>>>>>>>>> am desperate.
    >>>>>>>>>>>
    >>>>>>>>>>
    >>>>>>>>>>
    >>>>>>>>>> Maybe that is why I am having such horrible pain at the lead
    >>>>>>>>>> site. No dr. ever suggested that could be the problem. How
    >>>>>>>>>> did they determine the leads were corroding?
    >>>>>>>>>
    >>>>>>>>> The ANS corroded leads were discovered when doctors removed
    >>>>>>>>> the ANS spine stimulator. Prior to removing the ANS unit the
    >>>>>>>>> doctors had no idea why i had the increased pain....when the
    >>>>>>>>> ANS unit was removed.....that's when the doctors discovered
    >>>>>>>>> the corroded leads.
    >>>>>>>>>
    >>>>>>>> September 29, 2004 I had the ANS stimulator placed in for my right
    >>> foot-RSD. January 7, 2005 I went to get out of bed and extreme pain at the
    >>> sight of the two probes. CTscan revealed a break in my spine at the sight
    >>> of the probes. (I was told that my probes were the top level available). I
    >>> was placed in a brace until the spine healed. Three years later still 24/7,
    >>> extreme pain at the sight where the probes are placed. I taught school for
    >>> 15 years, unable to do anything...an extremely small disability check
    >>> monthly...no retirement. I have moved from NC where the stimulator was
    >>> implanted. (A Orthopedic Dr. implanted the system, but after the break
    >>> stated that his practise is too big to handle life long problems. Even
    >>> though his name is on my ANS identification card to call if there is a
    >>> problem.) I have been in MO for 11/2 years now, and I have continuously
    >>> contacted ANS for a representative in the Springfield, MO area. My primary
    >>> care Dr. referred me to a pain clinic to see if they could help figure out
    >>> the cause of the pain. I went, and was so relieved to find someone that
    >>> would be willing to find the cause and answers. Immediately, he took an x-
    >>> ray and called an ANS representative. The representative was at the office
    >>> within 10 minutes. (???ANS repeatedly told me that there was no
    >>> representative in the area.) He tried all the programs on my stimulator,
    >>> then tried all the programs that are possible. He was unable to get any
    >>> stimulation on the right side. He went and looked at the x-ray while his
    >>> assistant was on the phone with ANS. I was told that one of the probes had
    >>> moved and was now pressing on the ligament that runs down my back. This is
    >>> the cause for the constant pain, and the severe pain that is produced by
    >>> turning on the ANS unit. They have now referred me to a Neuo. Surgeon (in
    >>> MO, Orthop. Dr.s do not implant the ANS units...nerves vs. bones?!?) I have
    >>> been told that the probes have to be removed. I have a choice to remove
    >>> them and live in contiuous pain of RSD...remove the probes and replace them
    >>> with new probes...removes the probes, replace with new probes, and remove
    >>> the receiver in my hip and replace with an internal unit. I will have to
    >>> drive 31/2 hours to have any procedure, and at my expense for all. I am
    >>> really torn at what to do...1-I know what is feels like to be completely
    >>> out of pain(Sept.-Jan. ANS unit worked!) But, do I go through all this
    >>> again, and the same or worse things take place. Demerol dulls the pain, but
    >>> does not give relief, and I am allergic to the others. Confusion, anger at
    >>> the ANS company for their attitude of no concern...implant the unit,
    >>> collect the money and all care is removed!!! Responsibility? Stepping up to
    >>> the plate and helping the patient through the trauma?!? Decisions have to
    >>> be made, and in the mean time I remain in constant, extreme pain, and alone.
    >>>>>>>>>
    >>
    >> My husband had the Medtronics Spinal implant procedure on
    >> November 29, 2007. It worked great from Nov. 29tgh until
    >> Dec. 2nd. He was feeling great. After 9 years of back and
    >> leg pains from 4 failed back surgeries he was not hurting.
    >> Then on December 2nd, 2007 the machine quit working. He
    >> was on the 5 day trial with the model # 3628. We asked the
    >> Medtronic's rep in the recovery room when he was explaining
    >> the machine if we needed an instruction book and we were
    >> told no. They had only put 1 lead in him (thank God!) and
    >> I asked the Medtronics rep if there was any way that this
    >> thing could shock my husband and was again told no. He
    >> only spent about no more than 10 minutes with us explaining
    >> the machine. (We were also given the Medtronic's reps card
    >> and was told to call him anytime, day or night.) Then on
    >> December 2nd, 2007 the machine quit working. On the front
    >> of the machine there are 4 switches, numbers 0 - 3. My
    >> husband was told to switch around these switches to find
    >> his combination that he liked, where the stimulation felt
    >> best to him. (Between his lumbar region and down the
    >> length of his legs.) So this is what he did, just as he
    >> had done with the Medtronics rep. My husband had the
    >> stimulator on 5.6 and he flipped the switch labeled #3 and
    >> it automatically sent it to 12. (Our son witnessed this.)
    >> The charge threw him about maybe 18 inches back, he hit the
    >> stove with his lower back, shaking him as if being
    >> electrocuted, he dropped the machine and the battery popped
    >> out and he landed with all of his force on his left hip,
    >> breaking his left hip. (We were told that he was
    >> internally electrocuted.) He was hospitalized the same
    >> night, had hip surgery on December 3rd (had to have 3 pins
    >> to put his hip to repair it, and is now going through
    >> physical therapy. He cannot move his left leg on his own,
    >> the physical therapist has to push his foot to make him
    >> take a step. I called the Medtronics rep that night when
    >> this happened and the next morning about 7 am from the
    >> hospital where the implant surgery was performed and told
    >> him that my husband was there and what room he was in. He
    >> called me on my house phone about 10:30am and told me he
    >> was sorry he was sleeping and to call him back. My husband
    >> is only 3 floors up from him, why can't he go and check on
    >> him, after all, it is his device! I am posting this so
    >> people that are in chronic pain, no matter the source of
    >> the pain, will know what to expect. If you have any
    >> information on this or would like to know more,email me.
    >>
    >> Shonda Malone
    >> TxPrudy69@aol.com
    >>

     
     

 
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