Quote:
Originally Posted by chrelsey
Hi Booklover! Welcome to the forum! I hope you'll pull up a chair and get comfy - this is a great group of people - they are helpful, encouraging, witty, and just an all-around fun bunch! 
First, congrats on the weight loss! That is a huge accomplishment, and I applaud you! 
I, too, have a Medtronic's unit. My permanent implant surgery was on December 24th of last year, and in mid-January I began a diet and lost almost 30 pounds, which got me to my goal weight. Like you, I also noticed that my battery pack - which had once been well-hidden inside a pocket of "extra me" was now sticking out, was very sensitive, and slightly uncomfortable. Then in April we discovered that my percutaneous leads had migrated, and in June I had revision surgery for the laminectomy and paddle leads. Since I knew my Neurosurgeon was going to have to take the battery out to disconnect the old and connect the new leads, I thought that would be a good opportunity to relocate my little friend so that it would be less conspicuous. Wrong. As it turned out, my NS felt that because of the amount of scar tissue that was already formed in the "pocket," it would be better to leave it where it was.
My advice is to really, really, REALLY let your surgeon know what you would like done and why. I wish I had been more vocal with my NS. I know that he felt like he was taking the least-invasive approach for me, but I would have preferred to have the short-term pain of a new pocket healing, rather than the long-term uncomfortableness of having my battery sticking out. I don't think I emphasized that with him enough.
But as you had mentioned - and as my husband has often joked - I could simply put all of the "extra me" back on and the problem would be solved! Hmmmmm . . . now that I think about it, a month or two of eating all the Mexican food, pizza, ice cream, etc. that I want wouldn't be a bad thing, right?   Just kidding! I'm really enjoying being able to wear my jeans that had previously been relegated to the "doesn't fit me anymore closet!"
Best of luck on your journey, and keep us posted!
=Becky |
Hi Becky,
I was so pleased to hear from you about your battery issues. Thank you for your wise advice re. being clear about what I want with NS. Sorry you went through the ordeal of surgery and didn’t get exactly what you wanted. Well done to you to for losing so much weight! For me, the losing weight was the easy bit, it was only about 5kg. It happened when my specialist changed my daytime Neurontin to Topamax (topirimate) to address weight gain side-effect. I didn't diet, I just wasn't hungry on the Topamax and gradually lost weight. I too enjoyed getting into my skinny jeans, but I can no longer wear them as the battery rubs and hurts too much. The skin is very tight and hurts with hip flexion and exercises. My P.M., who also inserts scs, thinks it needs to be inserted deeper. I can't imagine how to do that without going into muscle given my size. Ouch!
I've had my SCS for 6 1/2 years and I remember my NS saying people's brains generally tend to adapt and stop receiving benefits around this time. At the moment, my SCS continue to help continue to help with pain and improve function especially sleep, neck/thoracic movement and endurance but not as much as in the early days. I think I would like to leave it alone for the moment especially given surgical risks with CRPS and make a decision when the battery is closer to end of life, except if NS thinks surgery is necessary due to risk of battery eroding skin/and or risk of puncture and future infection. I trust my NS, he is conservative and will give me good advice. Orthotist at hospital has offered to make a patch from neoprene (wetsuit material), foam, elastic and Velcro to protect the skin and spread the pressure, if I decide not to go ahead with surgery. Pretty nifty! Apparently he makes them for footballers who need to protect shoulder repairs when they return to play following injury. I'm wondering how long users in general continue to get worthwhile benefit from their SCS? And if anyone aware of any research on this?
Booklover