Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial

April 27, 2011

Hi all..I haven't been very good about writing, but I need to ask those of

you who have or have tried the SCS a few questions. I've asked my doctor,

but he just provides them, he's never had them. I'm doing the " trial " for 7

days starting May 13. They sent me a script to have filled with an

antibiotic and fentynal (sp) that they said bring with me that day. My

pharmacist said he'll have everything ready the 12th. The specialist who is

doing the trial is in Fayetteville, about an hour trip from my home and I

have to be there at 10 am. I am REALLY nervous about it. I've taken

some precautions, gotten some things ready, etc, but I'm sure that I'm not

thinking of everything.

First, I've arranged for my daughter to take my big dog for the week. She's

just a pup (a 80 pound pup!) and has to be hand walked to her yard and

secured in it, which means her pulling at times and bending to get the

connector. Thus, my daughter is taking Shay for the week, the little dogs

will be locked in the living room with a " walk through " gate that I've put

at the end of the hall. I bought 4 new sets of sheets, so they can be

changed every day, and washed in hot water (I'm trying for as clean as

possible). My husband will be home from 10:30 pm to 12:30pm, my daughter

will arrive between 3pm and 3:30pm (everyone in my family works second

shift.we're night owls) and she'll leave about 3 am. So there will only be

a couple of hours there with no coverage. My daughter and husband will do

the housework (at least they SAY they will, LOL) and I have a powerchair

should I need it.

Is there anything that I've NOT thought of for the trial and possibly the

actual surgery? How bad is the pain for the trail implantation? I've had

lumbar sympathetic blocks, so is that is a good comparison? Will the

Fentynal (I've never taken it) make me sleep for the day, or does it wear

off? It's IV, I believe... IS there anything else I need to be aware of?

Something that you found that you wish someone had told you?

Thanks guys.

Marta

Yup, it's MarTa, not MarLa...

Recommended Posts