Originally Posted by chrelsey

Sigh . . .

I saw my neurosurgeon on Monday, as I have been having coverage/connectivity issues with my Medtronic's unit. The first month I had it, my pain was lessened by 60-75%, however, these past two months, I have only been getting 20-30% pain relief. Also, I would see my rep for programming, we would find a setting that seemed pretty good, and then a few days later, the coverage seemed to migrate downwards - if my lower back had been covered pretty good, suddenly that coverage would be gone, but my thighs would be buzzing. I've also had problems with it being uncomfortable under my rib cage, and more alarmingly, it has caused sharp pains in my chest, and between my shoulder blades on my back.

When I saw him on Monday, he sent me for X-rays. His nurse just called, and apparently my leads have migrated downwards, and I'm not getting connectivity on several of the levels. He now wants to proceed with the paddle leads and the laminectomy.

Sigh . . .

Ok - to quote Pam, it's time to "Put my big girl pants on and soldier through!"

So I was just wondering if anyone here has gone from the percutaneous leads to the paddle leads with laminectomy. I've had a laminectomy before, so I'm familiar with it being a more painful surgery and recovery, but I was wondering about my battery - I'm assuming that it doesn't have to be replaced, but how do they attach the ends of the new leads to the battery? Will there be a second incision at my battery site?

I scheduled the surgery for June 11. I know it's kind of far out, but last year our lives were put on hold with my multiple surgeries, procedures, etc., and this year we are planning a trip (16 hours away by car) to see our grandkids the last week of May, and I just refuse to miss that!

Any thoughts, insight, or words of wisdom would be very much appreciated! (Also, chocolate, wine, and ice cream are perfectly acceptable methods of offering comfort . . . just in case you were wondering! )

=Becky