Quote:
Originally Posted by rabbitz2004
Can anyone help me out? I have lots of questions. Let's begin with:
I am a 50+ female who after a seemingly simple and easy massage at a business seminar turned into my new lifestyle nightmare. Long story short, the girl did not set up her portable massage chair correctly, I was her first "client", went to sit on the chair, it collapsed, I hit the floor, tore my rotator cuff and compressed L1 thru L5. That was six years ago.
Since then, arthritis has set in, I have severe outbreaks of sciatic nerve attacks, have not slept more than 3 hours at a time and now for the past 4 years, been on pain medication which is starting to really alter my life (and not in a good way). I have been through acupuncture, physical therapy, inversion therapy, homeopathic everything, chiropractic (the chiropractor actually refused to treat me after 4 visits because he felt he was making me worse instead of better - that's a first!)
So, fast forward to today. After 4 years of pain management, with visits every 8 weeks, pee in the cup, pay exorbitant amounts of money for them to agree I am taking my medications properly and not selling them on the street or using street drugs and of course, me always asking my doctor "Is there anything else we can do other than pain pills to give me some relief?" He finally says "Yes, I used to do this procedure years ago, but was not happy with the results, but they've now perfected it and I think it will work for you."
Out comes the Boston Scientific Precision Plus Spinal Cord Stimulator brochure. Here's where I need your help. I've got lots of questions before proceeding with this.
1) I've seen a lot of good posts everywhere from people who have had this installed with great success and very few bad results - has there been any negative side affects? Has anyone's body "rejected" their unit? Has anyone had issues with infections after the implant?
2) Since my husband hasn't hit the lottery yet (not for lack of trying), I need to continue to work, which takes me to Australia and Thailand and other places throughout Southeast Asia several times a year. Are there any issues going through airport security? I see that once this is implanted, MRIs are out.
3) What is the recovery time after surgery to get back to "normal" - such as carrying a 20+lb. backpack with computer equipment all over the world, lifting that bad boy into the overhead bins on airplanes (of course it doesn't help I'm only 5' tall, but that's a personal problem); are there any issues with driving, normal day-to-day activities? I try to swim and do water aerobics since it is lower impact on my spine and I refuse to give up even though some days I can barely walk after a workout; (never said I was good at it and I know the other gals in my class think I'm a wimp because I'm the slowest in the water, but hey, they don't have my pain either).
I have several other questions, but I figure I better stop here or I won't get any responses since I seem to be rambling. If there's anyone out there who can help, it's greatly appreciated! And thanks for listening!
T
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First off, let me earnestly write.....I am sorry you are here!! Not that I did not want to get to know you, but having come here courtesy of a car wreck where another driver failed to pay attention introduced me to this wonderful place.
The people are GREAT, the care superb, and I come away feeling as though I have been hugged world wide.
Since you travel the world in your work, it will help realizing everywhere you go there will be brothers and sisters from this place surrounding you.
1) I don't recall any negatives on the Boston Scientific side of the ledger, people who had to have theirs removed and such. Mine is Boston Scientific Precision Plus, which is now, according to their own website, older tech as they came out with something newer.....but then, who doesn't?
The infection I suffered was at the trial, and because of the topical insertion point. Something had allowed a "bug" to set up residence where they inserted the leads, because after trial insert, all is gauzed and taped down extremely securely. It was just there and I did not shower or something inviting bugs into the mix. This infection delayed my permanent implant and was fixed up with a course of antibiotics.
2) Upon implant, yes, MRIs are out. In fact, if you want to give a medical tech or doc a run for the money, just forget to turn off your unit as I did when presenting for a follow on cervical fusion. My stim was buzzing away, and I had forgotten all about it. This was about the time they wheeled in the ECG cart, hooked me up, and proceeded to get a rhythm on the ticker.....only courtesy of the stim, that ECG was going crazy. Next thing, my wife and I are joined by two other docs, one of whom is a cardio, and they are wildly concerned about what they think my heart is doing.
About that moment, I remember my stim remote in my wife's purse. I say, "hey, could it be a bad thing I did not turn off the stim?" Docs are about to kill me. Stim goes off. ECG comes back normal.
Airport security, I have been through both the old metal scan device and the newer puffer device. Long ago, I stopped even mentioning the implant. The gizmo does not alarm the "professionals" of TSA [I have my others issues with the TSA cops].
3) You gotta respect all of the post surgical restrictions. BLAST is an important thing to remember and is covered extensively here
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread114142-5.html .
Weeks of careful adherence to the restrictions availed of decent inscarring of the paddles and wires I enjoy so the issue of risk to disturbing those precious pulse carrying electronics are not disturbed. Your doc is best suited to advising just how long to be careful.
So, my implant was late July, and by October I was interviewing for work again. I had been out of the career train for years due to my injuries, many surgeries, and my dependence upon morphine for pain management..... it kinda befuddles a mind trying to practice law. I am now several years out [implant in 2010] and I don't give the leads much thought as I produce a lot of scar tissue normally....... or abbynormally....... [Every see Young Dr. Frankenstein? I liked Marty Feldman
].
I may not have been into lifting my computer bag into an aircraft overhead in 2010, but I do it now!
4) Oh, I know, you did not label a fourth point, but you made it..... stop with the concern about running on. We are all about help here.
and each of us has our questions, concerns, thoughts, and needs, so just feel openly welcomed to be here and participate to the fullest. We are here for you. I feel blessed to have this place!!!!
Have a better day today T!
z for ya!