Bear,

I wore a Bone Growth Stimulator for 6 months...and for two different surgeries. The first one I had I had to wear for 4 straight hours a day. The second one was different; I also had to wear it for 4 hours a day BUT I could take it on and off as long as I got the 4 hours in. They BOTH worked for me and actually I was fused both times at 3 months. The NS just wanted it to be SOLID; that's why he said another 3 months of wearing it. I don't know what yours looks like. The first one I had looked like something out of Star Wars; the second one was more like a necklace and much, much easier to get around with it.

And read the brochure that comes with them; dizziness CAN be a side effect. I had the same thing going on until I actually was able to stop wearing it. And since your surgery was just on December 18th, give yourself PLENTY of time. It is normal to have spasms, pain and such. My NS prescribed Valium for the pain because even though you might think it is the muscles; it is really the nerves being ticked off. I don't know how many times I was told that and it is true! Now, at the 6 month mark or even longer, you may feel weak. The Bone Growth Stimulator will do that to you too. I had my last fusion done in September of '06 and by May of '07 I could barely lift a thing. But my NS apologized and said that was due to so many restrictions. I just had to work through it and get my strength back. It is a long haul...I know.

Anyway, if I were you, I would call the doc and ask if it is absolutely necessary to wear the BGS 24/7! I have never heard of anyone wearing one all day long. But maybe your doc has reasons for that. And the swallowing; that should pass with time. To this day I have some issues with it...but just every now and then. And, yep, I am a smoker too. I tried Chantix and it hit my intestines like a ton of bricks. But at the same time I was taking other meds. So, I do want to try it again.

I hope this helps a bit...those BGS's can be a pain. But in my mind very well worth it in the long run.