[Jessicav21]

Hello everyone, I'm 39 and was diagnosed with RSD due to a work injury. I had a spinal cord stimulator installed in 2006. Due to my surgery my RSD spread to my incisions (neck, midback, & lower back). I have RSD bilaterally on my extremities.
I also have bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome & many forms of tendonitis bilaterally. I was recently told that my leads from my SCS that are on my neck, in my spinal cord space have gone bad. Now they want to redo my surgery. I am hardwired from my neck to my lower back. I'm terrified of them having to redo my surgery due to where the leads are.

I don't know how safe this is and so if anyone who has had a spinal cord stimulator redone please let me know how it went. I can only remember how after surgery I ended up with neck and back issues, my RSD spread to my incision sites and I have had many bad reactions to medications. If there's anyone out there that can give me some words of wisdom, please help me. Jessica

[Dr. Smith]

Hi Jessica,

Welcome to NT. No problem with posting this question here, but we do have 2 other forums that may be more focused, where more people familiar with your specifics may see it.

SCS & Pain Pumps
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum118.html

RSD & CRPS
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum21.html

I do hope some folks in those forums may be able to help/offer support.

Best Wishes,

Doc

[Darlene]

Jessica,

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. There are great number and caring fellow members here, you will see we are supportive and relaxing place. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

[albrown3]

I was diagnosed just months ago from a work injury that happened almost 2 years ago. I am supposed to start the trial for the stimulation and and would like to talk to someone who has gone through this and has not been paid by medtronic to talk to me.

[pooh_ac]

"I was diagnosed just months ago from a work injury that happened almost 2 years ago. I am supposed to start the trial for the stimulation and and would like to talk to someone who has gone through this and has not been paid by medtronic to talk to me."
Al I am a person who is on her 3rd Medtronic unit. My 1st one I flew through the battery, the second I had a fall and yanked my leads loose. Last unit is a rechargeable unit I believe I still have a couple of years until my battery hits EOL (end of life). Please feel free to PM me as I dont frequent this forum. Another place to find info is the SCS and pump forum under medications.
z

[Leesa]

Hi Jessica -- I HAD a SCS several years ago, but it had to be removed due to some unrelated problems. But I can tell you that when they have to move the leads, the "incision" they make is TINY and the "surgery" is very MINOR. It doesn't take very long at all, and it's really no big deal. There isn't much to worry about. It's just tedious as they have to make sure they get the leads in the right place.

Please don't worry so much. There's nothing to be terrified about. I know it sounds scary but it's really not. It will be over before you know it.

Please let us know how it goes, ok? I'll be looking for your post. When are you going to have it done? is it scheduled yet?

Best of luck & hope to hear from you. Hugs, Lee