Saffy well I will try my best to answer your questions...well how I managed anyway ok so here goes:

1. I was in hospital for 3 nights. So I took loose fitting pj's , dressing gown, slippers, wash bag(and all that goes in it ) towels, bed socks.....then some magazines, ipod, mobile phone, puzzle books?! (if you them) and anything else that will wile away the time for you.

2. As I said in hospital I wore pj's which I did wear a lot when I got home too. As for the first couple of weeks I didnt get dressed much just sat around in my pj's and dressing gown. But also sweatpants are great or leggings too. Anything that is loose fitting and isnt too tight on the incision sites.

3. Anything loose is great. I couldnt wear my jeans because for the first few weeks I was swollen a bit around the incision sites and I was afraid to put any pressure on it. So pj's , sweatpants, leggings, shorts......anything loose.

4. When you have your SCS implanted you cant shower for about 3 weeks well at least until the stitches come out. Like that if I wasnt having a shower and wanted to wash my hair I would also generally bend over the bath. But this time I got my husband to do it for me. I made sure I knelt on the ground and as close to the bath as possible and a quick wash did the trick. I didnt care what I looked like tbh. He also blowdryed (blowdried SP?) it the first couple of weeks too.

5. YESSSSSS is the answer to not being able to clean the house My hubby was great but it just wasnt the same. SO.....YOU HAVE TO LOOK AWAY!!!! you really do need to turn a blind eye and just relax and wait for the initial 'waiting' period to be over.....SO no housework.....I was told that for 6/8 weeks I couldnt lift anything heavy, even the kettle......no bending, stretching, stretching over your head either, twisting....its just basically all the things you do instinctively but have to make sure you dont.

6. My hubby was at home for the first 10 days or so. For that time, well depending on how quickly you heal, you will need help. Cooking, helping you up the stairs, even helping at times in the bathroom. The first few days can be quite painful, because afterall you have just had surgery, so the incision sites will be painful. But it wont last forever it does heal up. So as the weeks pass you will feel a bit more 'yourself'

7. Like I was saying earlier, in the 'waiting period' you must not do any of those things I mentioned. Now as regards getting back to work etc and the amount of work you do ie, bending and lifting, that you should really discuss with you doctors. You will know how you feel when the SCS is implanted and what relief you will be getting, hopefully LOADS but I do think that when the time comes its something you will need to discuss with your team.

8. Im not 100% sure why they ask the question about what side you sleep on. I was never actually asked. I generally sleep on my back, as I cant sleep on my left side, the side thats the worst. Again Im sure someone here will have the answer, but if not ask your Dr why he would ask that question.

9. Well when the leads are placed and they set them up you will have the sensations where you need it, hopefully. If at some stage, and HOPEFULLY not.......that they move, I believe the sensations will be completely different, maybe in a completely different area, or worse still you cant fell anything at all. Hopefully nothing like that will happen. I know a few of the posters here have had trouble so they will be best able to help you on that one more ok.

Well I hope I have given you a small insight. Im sure others will come on and give you their experiences too.

Jackie