Hi All!
 

I have not been on in AGES!! Hello to Rrae, Mark, and Fiona!!

I'm on because I have a problem with one of my 2 neurostimulators, and I want to share my process in 'fixing' it with you all

I have both a cervical and lumbar implant. LOVE them both dearly -- had them roughly a year and a half. In the last six months, I've had them both on constantly (only turning them off to drive). This past Wednesday, I noticed my lumbar implant becoming intermittent with stimulation so I quickly charged the battery. Stimulation continued to 'sputter' for a few hours then stopped entirely. Needless to say, I am devastated! When I attach my paddle to change a program, it will beep a bit, then the screen will go off -- I feel nothing.

I had the larger battery put in, so I was hoping 5 years. Or perhaps the leads have migrated. I lost 10 pounds just this past month..... don't know if a trivial 10 pounds could make that much of an effect.

Anyhow, I do have an appointment scheduled for February 1st, and I'll post an update on what the next step will be for me. I hope you are all well, and I am going to keep myself busy reading some threads here to get myself updated with you all!

Blessings!!!! Vanna

Hi Vanna!
 

Sorry to learn of your nonfunctioning unit!! Glad you have an appt 1 Feb. Have you heard from Fiona about this?

:hug:ZZZZZ
Mark56

Well LOOK WHO is back!!
 

VAAAANNA!! It's SO GREAT to see you!!
... I gotta break out the 'Boingdee-Boingdee Guy' for this! -->> http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...z07iglr3vc.gif

I'm sorry tho, that you're having this 'issue'!
I'm wondering if perhaps your lead is coming loose from the IPG unit. Either that or the battery life of the IPG coming to an end.
It does seem way early for the battery to be 'dying' tho. (?) Have you let your battery charge run all the way down more than once? This would be one of the few reasons I can think of that the IPG would die prematurely.

The reason I'm wondering if your lead may be shorting out is because you've had your units a long time.....plenty of scarring in, so migration would more than likely have to be caused by something more 'traumatizing'....like a fall?
Have you felt anything 'rip' or 'tear' ?
Do you have dual leads or just one?

Well, we'll be anxious to hear what your appointment reveals on Feb 1st.

I'm pretty sure my lead migrated within the first couple of months after I got the implant. But, since I had a program that worked good on my other lead, I didn't actively pursue checking for migration because I didn't dream it could happen so easily! BUT, I do vaguely recall feeling a slight 'tearing' when I stooped or something. The lead wouldn't have had a chance to scar in very good yet if this is what happened.
I just feel like an idiot for not 'knowing' this SOONER! http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...cmicwtgmwf.gif

It's SO good to have you back with us!
Hey! We've got a great new friend aboard this ship! Her name is Treca and I was hoping you two could hook up. She's getting a cervical implant and sure could use your words of wisdom and encouragement!
I know she'd be ever so grateful for any input you have to share about your cervical. Most of us are lumbars, so we are limited on how helpful we can be!

You've been such a great friend and we are so fortunate to have you!
:hug::hug::grouphug::hug::hug:
Rae

He He :D
 

I have not been greeted this wonderfully in a LONG time. Makes the stimulator problem VERY worth the trip to visit you all. Rrae, as I'm reading threads on here, I am literally BLOWN AWAY by all the time, effort, and caring you have generously given to each and every person who visits this forum........ the forum that YOU made happen :)

I believe I have dual leads in my lumbar, and a double-set for my cervical. I have not felt any sort of rip, tear, or pull at all. Perhaps, I did let the battery wear down and by the time I recharged it went kaput. I am mourning the loss of the stimulation like the death of a good friend ........ the kind of friend that makes you feel good about yourself. And now I feel like :-X !! I know the leads were not anchored in, so perhaps they have migrated. Like you, Rrae, I have been guilty of thinking that sort of thing just happens to 'other people'.:rolleyes:

Thanks for the uber kind words and the heads up on the woman getting the cervical stimulator. I will check out her situation and guide her as best I can.

Dang, Rrae, you are GOOD!!!!!

@ Mark, as I've come to read more recent posts, I see Fiona is MIA as I have been. I mentioned her name because she is someone I remember fondly when I last posted (which, embarrassedly, was September).

:hug: Vanna

You sure know how to build a person up! :)
 

Gee Whiz, you make me feel so special! Thank you! :hug:
My heart is truly in this forum. NT is such a wonderful place. There's something very 'special' about all the forums here. There is an anointing here. I've seen other forums and more times than not, they are spattered with strife and discontent. Neurotalk has such a unique 'aura' about it!

This forum wouldn't be what it is without ALL the wonderful people who have come along. People from several other countries even! It's just fantastic how much it has grown!
Mark is like a brother to me and several others here. He has prayed for so many of us. We have grown so close!

Yes, Fiona is very special to us indeed! I've recently visited with her via email. She has so much going on. Please pray for her! We all know how strong she is..... she'll be back posting again. She has been such a wonderful part of this forum.
Oh my I could go on all night! There are just SO MANY wonderful people here!
You'll catch up in no time and they'll love getting to know you!

I just hope and pray that your upcoming appointment proves successful in getting you back on track with your lumbar! I can only imagine the pain you must be in!
Looking forward to the update!

:hug::grouphug::hug:

Hi Vannafeelbetter

Oh Im sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your stim:mad:.......

I do hope that when you go for your appointment that it can be rectified and that you will be buzzing again real soon. When it works well its fantastic isnt it and how relaxing it is too. I pray that its only minor what is up and that you dont have a migrated lead!!

Thinking of you

Jackie :hug:

Ps I totally agree with you about Rae, where WOULD we be without her. When I come on here and read her posts its like everything just melts into place. She is truly an inspiring woman, listening to all our woes and not even noticing that SHE is the one who now needs our help with her revision.........We will all be prayer for Rae!!!:hug:

I Second That, or is it Third it by now?
 

Rae has come alongside and inspired ALL of us through good times and not so good, and it is important for us to pray for her as she goes tomorrow for revision and replacement of the wandering lead [just don't take up the theme song Tumblin Tumbleweed- oops, now you are all hearing that one in your head].

Tomorrow, I am starting a prayer group for a few of us at church who in our late 40s and 50s find ourselves unemployed. We will gather for coffee and prayer around 8:45am MST, so I'm gonna add prayers in there for Rae, Treca, Sarah, Vanna, Fiona, Pooh, Jackiey, and anyone else who needs to jump in the group.

You ALL are tremendously precious as a group of sharers, carers, pray-ers. I have been so helped by all of you and feel especially grateful for Rae's initiative which caused the very formation of this sub-forum. WE ROCK!!!

What a blessing,
Blessings on ALL of you,
Mark56:grouphug:

Thank you MArk
 

Mark how kind of you to include us all in your prayer group. Im sure we will all benefit greatly.........

Jackie:hug:

Today was the day I have been waiting for to see my pain management doctor to help unravel the mystery why my lumbar stim went KAPUT. We are having bad weather here in the northeast and my doctor's flight into Philadelphia was cancelled so I am forced to re-schedule a 3rd time due to inclement weather.

GGGRRRRRRRRRRRR............

Meantime, I came up with another theory in my mind how the leads MAY have moved. In the past couple of months, I have been sleeping on my belly .... which I know is a big NO NO, but is more comfortable for me. It's been a year and a half since surgery, so the scar tissue should be keeping everything intact, but you never know :rolleyes:

My next appointment is scheduled for Feb. 8th. Weather permitting!!!

Hope all is well :hug: Vanna

Then Feb 8 it is, and we will keep it in mind!
 

Weather can truly mess up things.... sorry it caused rescheduling of your appt! We will look forward to a Feb 8 with better weather and a meeting that occurs so you can have the path to relief started!

yep,
prayin,
Mark56:hug: