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Re: ANS Spinal Cord Stimulator Problems
Posted by Sheryl on 9/24/07

    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.
    >>>>>>>

     
     

 
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