Update on Spinal Cord Stimulator
 

Claudia,

I had the SCS surgery on Nov 3rd, and everything went smoothly. I was very sore for the first 3-4 days, my upper back where they inserted the leads and especially my rear end, which is where the battery was placed (it's very small, 2" around and 1/2" wide or less< they make a "pocket" to place it in in the upper part of the buttock, where a rear pants pocket would be).

I'm over most of the post-op pain now, and the SCS is working as it should, and I have to say it is really helping ! :) My arms have always been the worst source of my pain, although my neck, upper chest and back and now my legs all contribute as well. But I notice very little arm/hand pain now,due to the stimulation, which I have gotten used to pretty quickly. Because I have less pain, I sleep better, wake more refreshed. And I find myself going hours past the time for my pain meds, where before the SCS at least 2 hours before time I would start watching the clock,waiting until I could finally take my pain med again because I hurt so bad.

I still have 5 weeks of restricted activity, no lifting, bending, twisting, reaching above my head - and I haven't done a bit of Christmas shopping! :eek: I've told dh he WILL be coming with me for some heavy duty shopping trips in the coming weeks - my legs will only do about an hour at a time. I'm thinking besides my girls that we may do a lot of gift certificates this year;) Anyway, it takes 6 weeks for the leads to scar in, that's why the restrictions. So I am trying hard to be extra good.

I would say though from all the feedback I've heard from others and from my Dr, I would NOT go with a Medtronic - the unit I have is by Advanced Bionics, it's the only one my Dr says he uses for the upper body because it gives more precision over the area to be covered. It's also got the longest battery life I think, it has a warranty for 5 years but my Dr says most patients of his are getting 9-11 and I am using such low power I could get as much as 15. That sounds MUCH better than the 3-5 that seemed to be the norm in the past!

Lots to think about, I do know someone who has had both the ANS and the Advanced Bionic and has done a LOT of research into SCSs', if you would like I could probably put you in contact with her, she could answer any questions better than I. I would NOT let your Dr railroad you into an SCS, and particularly a MedTronic one, if you don't feel sure it's what you want or need at this time. But it does seem to be really working for me, and I am thankful for the relief from pain!!!

Best wishes, beth :)

Beth
 

Glad to hear you are doing good with the SCS. I wonder tho how in the world you go without bending???

My husband is usually out of town from Sun afternoon - Thurs. night and I have a little shih-tzu (dog). I have to change her water bowl and feed her once a day. Plus how do you get your shoes on without bending???

My pain seems to be much better since my NS rx'd liboderm patches and 40Tramadol before we went on our cruise. Only problem with the patches is you wear them 12 hrs on and the 12 hrs off of them and not supposed to wear them to bed. Golly Gee....I can't got 12 hrs without taking a nap. I've only got 2 of them left and about 10 Tramadol pills left. I think I can 'make it' for a couple of months without the SCS if my NS will renew the patch and the Tramadol; but not sure he will, as he is 'set' on the SCS.

I have the CD for the SCS my NS mailed me, but it's gotten lost in my office. I think the brand name is ANS. He did tell me that is was rechargeable and would last around 9 yrs.

My main problem is nerve pain running up and down the outside of my left leg/knee (clumping of nerve roots at L4-L5) and a herniated disk at C7-T1. I believe the ESI on 10/20/06 really helped with my arm and hand pain. But the ESI at L4-L5 on same date didn't do a darn thing for the nerve pain. Since coming home from our 7 day cruise and spending a week washing, drying/folding or hanging clothes my pain is now in my back (below the shoulder blades and right at my incision from my L4-L5 fusion 1/18/06. It's not nerve pain; it's just down right hurts LOL!

Yes, would really like for the reference lady to get in contact with me. I've also decided; even tho, I know my NS will not like it, I'm going to ask for referrals of his patients.

My insurance company will not pay for it without me going to see a physiologist (sp?), so figure I can delay it until after the year if NS will refill especially my Tramadol.

Email is claudia029 at centurytel.net

Keep in Touch K?

Hugs To Ya!
Claudia:)

Pumps, patches, pain meds
 

Well, I just lost a good post of sone length and I hate that. I'll try again.

Beth I hadn't heard any bad press on the Medtronic Stimulator. Maybe it is the Intrathecal pumps in which they excell. That and surgical navigation equipment. My husband works for Medtronic so I'm a bit biased. I have an intrathecal pump with a bolus which allows me to give myself a boost every four hours on a bad day. I love having little to no cognitive side effects. I went from bedbound to life with the constant infusion of a tiny amount of narcotic in my spine a fraction of what I was on. The only part left out was controlling the neuropathic pain which Lyrica has done a nice job on. I had to weigh the side effects, weight gain, edema etc, but wrestling with my grandson, having incredable energy, and just plain being relieved of the gnawing nerve pain vs. wearing a size 8, the choice was fairly easy. I considered a SCS as well as the IIP but I guess hearing from you, it may help the back pain, but not the peripheral nerve pain in arms and legs. Do you take Lyrica as well or no longer need it? I have heart problems and if they pull the Lyrica due to my heart, I'm wondering if the stimulator may work.

Claudia, I've used the Lidoderm patches for many years both during the day and at night. I prefer during the day as I am aware of the pain relief even though nighttime gives me a better nights sleep. We have to make choices with these things don't we, but there should be no problem in wearing them at night. Make certain you wash your back down with alcohol before attaching the patches and they have less problems if you are a back sleeper, or are very active during the day. Also, could you explain what Tramadol is?

Also, don't worry about the psych appointment. It is a requirement in certain cases with insurance companies. It was for me before my intrathecal pump.

God bless all. Joanne;)

Adding Amithrypline
 

Hi all, I also relate to your pain problems, I had an accident and broke my sacrum bone resulting in electric pain in both my legs. It´s been a year and a half since the accident and still feel pain, needles and constant electric sensation on my legs. I have been using Lyrica at a 600 mg dose, twice daily (300 mg each dose) with almost no weight gain. One of my doctors recommended that I add 25mg on amitryptiline daily. I wonder if any of you have experience with this drug which is actually an antidepresant.
Regards.

I agree too I am on Lyrica just went up to 75mg 3x daily, it does help, I feel a little "happy" but a good happy and I am also on Amitriptylene 10mg 2x nightly to help me sleep, but it does have weight gain possiable with it too so I was wondering the same thing, maybe the both together are hurting us that have gained weight (30lbs) for me ? sigh sigh sigh