[prairiegirl]

So on THursday when I saw my pain specialist, she said she had talked to the pain team and it looks like I am going to be getting a trial lead for the ONS. Not sure how quickly this will happen, but probably not till after the new year.

For those of you who have been through this, any advice or things I should know before this happens? I am feeling a bit anxious about walking around with wires hanging out of my head. I can't imagine what people will think or what they might say, though a friend of mine suggested some snappy comebacks. *laughs*

Mostly, I am scared that I will get them caught on something and they'll pull out. *cringes*

Anyone with words of reassurance? Please?

[Burntmarshmallow]

PG
I sent you a P.M.

PEACE
BMW

p.s. for a trial they tape everything really secure !

[ccarr]

Hi, I have had both the trial and the final implant. The trial is a bit strange, but it can be covered easily with clothes. Mine was done by Medtronics and the wires are very thin and were hard to see. I teach second grade and my kids could not even see them. The hardest part was not washing my hair for a week! My doctor had told my I would need about 5 days to recover from the trial and about 7-10 days after the final surgery. I felt fine after leaving the hospital after the trial. The leads were a bit uncomfortable and my neck was very stiff. After the trial leads were removed my head killed between the trial and final surgery. We had to move up my surgery date. I had talked with my doctor and let him know that the original leads hurt my neck so he implanted the leads higher and they are great now. I love the device. My headaches were daily for 4 years and I still have headaches but can function and they don't control my life now. The only issue I do have is the life of the battery. I have to charge daily for 23/4 hours every day. That was not part of the original plan. The good news is Medtronics has been very helpful and has sent reps. to my appointments, to my house and has been working on solving the issue. Most likely, the battery will have to be replaced but this is a very rare occurance. I am thrilled with my overall decision. Best of luck!

[Burntmarshmallow]

CC It is great to hear your stimulator is helping you and the pain is under controll. amen to that!!!
I have a medtronics stim for T.N. A.D. I have the old school pace maker battery though and I do not recharge it at all but it has to be replaced every 10 - 12 years. I have had mine since early 2002.
I want to WELCOME you to NeuroTalk and Thank you for sharing a bit of your story and most of all it is awesome to see you have found something that has helped you. May it continue to do so for many many years!
PEACE
BMW