kxlrogue-
yes - you are "way in" recovery mode.
This is my first reply to anything on any internet site-so am not certain about formatting, etiquette, etc. Been dealing with SCS for 5 years, and in addition to my strongest, strongest recommendation to have any scs implant done by a neurosurgeon who has this as the core or at least a focal part of his or her practice; I would suggest that you get acquainted with the manufacturer's rep, or whoever is the designated person from ANS, Medtronics, etc. who does programming of implants for users. For ANS, the person selling gear to the hospital/surgeon is that individual. My Rep is a young guy who has hung in with me thru a whole bunch of drama, and along with the surgeon who did the implant, is responsible for "giving me my life back, altho because of brain damage the seems to have come out of an initial implantation from a surgeon not meeting my 1st recommendation: so I should rephrase it "getting part of my life back". That however has nothing to do with the gear as far as I know.
My experience has been that as long as I feel stimulation and am getting any kind of relief, I am more than likely ok, and sometimes even when this is not the case.
1st, give your mind and body and spiritual person as much time and rest as possible. My son is a surgeon, not neuro, and he told me that healing at my age, circa 60, would take a year. After the initial healing period of 3 to 4 months, it took me a full year to catch on to just how to use the thing and to recognize when to ask Chad (the rep) for a tune-up. I've gone from a high of 175 mcg. fentanyl/48 hours and 24 mg of hydromorphone to 50 mcg. fentanyl and 20 mcg. of hydromorphone.
I have regained some thankfulness for life. I wince to write that, but for you folks who have lived with severe, intractable and crazy-making pain, I know you will understand.
I close with the above, and saying to all "may God's blessings, and the peace of Christ "which surpasses comprehension" be with you, upon you.
dougp
ps- I don't do any damn smilies!! Except low key cornbelt style :-)
Quote:
Originally Posted by kzlrogue
Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone has had problems with the SCS not covering where it is suppose to or not covering as much area as it's suppose to. I have had the implant now for about 9 weeks and am discovering that it is not covering my feet or the middle of my lower back. However, it is covering the front and back of my upper and lower legs as well as my rear end and hips, but I still have pain in my mid lower back and feet. I've also found that the stimulation seems to favor my left side. I was just at a 'tweeking' session yesterday and had the best coverage to date but when I woke up this morning and turned it on it was covering mostly my left side. I don't know if I'm still in 'recovery' mode or if this is how it's going to be. I'm also confused because I had the paddle implanted so the leads would stay in place so I could live a more active life. I guess I'm not sure if it's the leads that are not working correctly, if my body's not working correctly, if the leads were placed incorreclty, or if I just need to be patient and give my body more time to heal. I still have a lot of surgery pain but because I don't handle pain medication well am limited to what I can take. Although, my doc did up my baclofen so I'm hoping that will help with the muscle spasms.
I appreciate all your input. Thanks!!
|