Re: Nerve stimulation device

[Guest guest]

I had my Spinal Cord Stimultator (SCS) implanted in April 07 and would not live

without because it above all blocks the nerve pain. I still have some bone pain

while the SCS is on but the SCS is not a cure all just another way to help with

my RSD.

The trial surgery was scary and painful because I didn't know what to expect.

The permanent implant which was 2 weeks later was easier. I was stiff and in a

bit of pain for a day or 2 and then had to adjust to the thing for a while, I

turned a corner for the better at my 3 month mark. Everything seemed to calm

down and I was able to forget that I even have an implant.

I have a 5 inch incision on my lower back and a 5 inch incision on my

hip/rear. The small battery is in my hip/rear and the wires go from that to the

epidural space. I usually have my remote attached to a pocket or belt loop and

everyone thinks it is my cell phone.

I had to have the leads in my spine replaced in November 07 because the leads

were not covering my pain. It is very, very, very important that while you are

in surgery you take all the time YOU need to ensure that the placement of the

leads cover all your pain so that you do not end up like me and have to have a 4

hour revision surgery.

I am currently in physical therapy and restricted to no bending, no twisting,

no reaching and no lifting for 3 months so that the leads in my spine have the

chance to scar down in the correct position. You will be restricted after

surgery as well. You may also have an abdominal binder to ensure no blood clots

form under the incisions and it helps remind you of your restrictions. It is

still too early for me to say that the SCS is a total success but I will say

that I don't live with that awful nerve pain anymore.

Let me know if you need any other information, glad to help you thru this.

Cheers

Lynn J

[Guest guest]

I had to do the pysch thing also, And I’m still On

blue cross. My PM doctor said he wanted to get this

done fast. All the pysch doc;s, that were on the BCBS

network was booked up till May some time. So I went

ahead and went to one that was not on the network.

Cost me $213.00 That was Monday a week ago. And I’m

still sitting here wondering when its all going to

happen, The pysch is nothing to worry about. And yes

before someone asks I did pass it

--- Denene Harper wrote:

> I'm going through some kind of pysch before I can do

> it since I am on Medicare is what they say