[beth]

I recently had an SCS trial with the Advanced Bionics Precision spinal cord stimulator for RSD in both arms/hands. I have RSD/CRPS type II, TOS and brachial nerve damage stemming from complications from a tetanus vaccine reaction in February 2003.

I've exhausted all therapies, had two surgeries to relieve nerve compression, undergone lidocaine and ketamine IV infusion to try to put the RSD into remission, things have either not worked, worked partially, or only for a short time. The SCS is my last option at present excepting the pain pump, which my Drs don't want to consider at this time (or the ketamine coma treatment, which I am not willing to undergo).

The Precision is the smallest rechargeable SCS available, about the size of a silver flip-top lighter. The battery comes with a five-year guarantee, however my Dr says patients typically see 7-9 years or longer depending on their power setting. He only implants the Advanced Bionics unit, and has nothing but good to say about it. He has an 85% success rate with SCS surgeries.

I went in for the trial implant procedure on a Friday morning. I was awake part of the time, to let the Dr know where I felt stimulation. It did take a while, and was a little uncomfortable but not bad; the worst part was I had to hang my head over the edge of the table the entire time.

The coverage was great - both arms from fingertips to shoulder, the underams and a bit of the shoulder blades. I had so much relief from the worst of my pain! Best of all, I slept comfortably for the first time in 3 1/2 years, and woke up feeling refreshed! I had energy, went around smiling for no reason, felt more like "myself" than I have since my injury. It was wonderful!

The leads were inserted into the epidural space at the level of C7-C8, and the wires trailed down my back to the battery unit which was in a cloth pocket attached to a belt. This was easily hidden under clothes. I had a remote that I used to change the levels of stimulation for each/both arms.

The rep was very attentive, he was present pre-op to explain how to use the unit, during a the procedure to operate the stimulation and post-op to answer questions as I tried it. Then he called me at home Saturday and again Monday to see how things were. I also had his cell # and the company's # if I had problems or questions. I felt well taken care of.

The one problem was with me, not the unit. My Dr wanted the leads at C8-T1, but encountered scar matter on the left at the epidural space, so went to the higher level. On Sunday I had problems getting stimulation, had to search for positions where it would work. It did work fine lying in bed Sunday night, but Monday I had no stimulation at all, the leads had moved out of place.

My Dr says this means the leads will likely not stay in place long enough to "scar in" at that level, no matter how much I restrict my movement post-op. So he's going to try to go in at the C8-T1 level from the right, and place both leads from that location. I'm afraid there may be scar tissue there as well, from a nerve root EMG I had 2 years ago. But it was only one; there were at least 3 nerve root EMG's done on the left, so I'm hoping the scar matter is minimal on the right!

I REALLY want this to work, as the SCS trial was so good. He's given me the option of having him go to the upper site if he CAN'T get the leads in at C8, which is a tough decision. Otherwise, if he can't, he'll scrap the whole thing and call it a failed SCS surgery. And then I'm pretty much out of options, at least for now.

I'll post about the outcome of the surgery ( Nov. 3) and how things work out - sure praying for success!

beth

[Fancylady_2006]

Beth I hope everthing works out for you too. My story is completely different. You had a good rep. I did not. Mine was present for the trial and present for the implant and thats the last I ever saw him. I called a few times to my pain Dr., they let the rep know and I ended up calling medtronic's and reporting him. He was so kind until the implant was done, but he never gave me his phone number.

My problems were different from yours. I had 5 back surgeries. And full of scar tissue everytime they went in. I just had the SCS took out last month and that was the end of my pain. Anything you have done is only as good as the person or Dr. who does it. I went to a different surgeon this time and I hope I never have to have anything like done again. Most people that have had the implant end put having them took out. I hope you don't and your rep sounds ok. I will say a prayer for you.
Fancylady