Re: spinal cord stimulator/Michele

[Guest guest]

I have RSD in my right leg, from the toes to the hip and some in the buttock on

the right side. I've had RSD (diagnosed) for 18 years, so the doctor is not 100%

sure that it will be effective, but the lumbar sympathetic blocks have been

relatively successful, so we're all hopeful.

If you would answer a couple of questions, I'd appreciate it. In the

trial, how long was it before you saw that it helped? And after the

implantation, how was the pain and how long did it take for you to be up and

active?

Because we're over an hour from the surgeon, the doctor thinks he

may keep me overnight, but I'm TERRIFIED that the surgery will be painful and

that the recovery period will be long. The doctor told me to expect a 6-8 week

recovery from the actual implantation, did you're take that long?

We've got a gate up at the end of the hall, so that I can keep the dogs out of

my bedroom for the trial and the recovery, at least at first.

I bought four new sets of sheets, so that we'll have as close to " sterile " as

possible. I have a washer, and the sheets will be washed between uses, but I

wanted to make sure that there are no issues with that. My daughter will be

coming in (as she does now)

at 3:30 pm and my husband goes to work at 12:30, so I will only be alone for

about 3 hours a day, did you have difficulty getting up

and walking?

Thanks for talking to me.

Marta

>Michele wrote:

Hi Marta,

>Where is the spinal cord stimulator (SCS) being placed? What part of you is it

intended to help?

>I have one implanted for 2 years. I am having another one implanted to deal

with neck and arm/hand/finger pain on Wed.

[Guest guest]

Hi Marta,

The surgery is short and painless, you are under anesthetic. After the surgery

I had very little pain in surgery spot. I got some relief right after

implantation. Remember that if it needs to be adjusted it can. I have 13

different programs in my pack which allows me to try different sensations as

needed.

What is RSD? I had scs implanted to help with bilateral leg, foot hip and knee

pain. I was desperate for relief. They had me on every pain reliever invented

and I was crying every day. I still have pain but it is manageable. I can cope.

I hope my second implant is as helpful! Good luck. You can always email me for

support.

Michele

[Guest guest]

Marta,

I have one inserted in my back for my feet. The trial was one week.It does

give you an excellent idea if it will work. The only downside for me was

that my whole leg vibrates because they can't pick out the nerves for my

feet. For me the rule was that it had to help at least 50% of the time for

them to do the surgery.

I had both the test and the actual surgery at s Hopkins in Baltimore.

They were wonderful. No pain. They gave me some pain medicine to take home

but I didn't need it.

There was once or twice in the trial where the pain was so intense that I

had to turn the stimulator up real high to mask the pain. Since it was so

high I literally couldn't do much else. I kept asking if this would also

happen after the surgery and did not get a firm answer one way or another. I

found this troubling.

When they say 6-8 weeks, that's how long it takes for the scar tissue to

build up so the stimulator will not move. Finally I am limited to just 25

pounds or less for lifting or pulling. Make sure you find our about this as

it could be different for you.

I've had the stimulator for about six months. I treat it as another tool to

be used just like ice, or medicine. Will be happy to answer what questions

I can if you write me.

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

RSD is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. It's also called Complex Regional Pain

Syndrome. My sympathetic nervous system in my right leg and hip are damaged and

every " feeling " is seen by my body as pain.

Thank you for telling me about it. Did the incisions cause pain after the

surgery?

Marta

[Guest guest]

Have you noticed if your use of pain medication has gone down? That is the

main reason my doctor sent me to the specialist, to find another tool that

might help me need less medication. I'm excited/nervous/scared to death,

LOL. I want this to work SO much.

in October, I had a Lumbar sympathetic

block (the first one in about 17 years) and it took ALL the RSD pain

away only for about 15 hours, but those hours were the best I've had in 18

years.

I do have other pain causing conditions (fibromyalgia and a

herniated disk in my L4/L5) but the RSD has been the worst and I've had it

over 18 years.

Thanks

Marta

wrote:

I've had the stimulator for about six months. I treat it as another tool to

be used just like ice, or medicine. Will be happy to answer what questions

I can if you write me.

[Guest guest]

When I started use of the stimulator my pain meds were adjusted downward by 75%.

Unfortunately, I have so much pain that I can't get off them completely. I wish

you much luck in your journey to regain a life with tolerable pain.