SCS & Pain pumps - useful info & sites
 

I'll make this a sticky thread , as you find good info/ sites - please add them here.

This is an informative article. It also gives some statistics on success of the SCS implantation:

http://health.todaystmj4.com/Global/story.asp?S=5652524

info about SCS
http://professional.medtronic.com/in...view/index.htm

Another good info. link:

http://www.nationalpainfoundation.or...e-technologies


Discusses SCS's and pain pumps in some detail.

Frequently Asked Questions Re: SCS
 

Spinal Cord Stimulator TRIAL FAQ's:
-per Medtronics

The spinal cord stimulator trial is used to find out if this treatment will reduce your pain. You will go home with your trial leads in place. The trial most often lasts one week.

Your feedback during the trial is vital.

•Keep track of your pain for the length of the trial.
•Take your pain medicines as instructed by your doctor.
•Learn what settings of spinal cord stimulation work for you as you adjust the controller in response to your activities, body positions, and changes in pain.
You may have pain in your back where the leads exit. It is okay to use Tylenol® or ice to ease this pain. Avoid aspirin which increases bleeding. You will need to carefully watch your symptoms to decide what pain is caused by inserting the spinal cord stimulator and what pain is your normal, chronic pain.

You will need to restrict your activities during the trial period. This is so the leads in your back don’t move. If the leads move too much, you can lose stimulation.

•Do not raise your arms above your head.
•Do not twist, bend, or stretch your body at the waist. When rolling over, keep your body straight. Sitting in a chair is fine as long as you are careful.
•Do not make any sudden movements.
•Do not lift items weighing more than 5 pounds.
•Do not strain when moving your bowels. Take laxatives if needed.
You will have an incision in your back where the spinal cord stimulator leads exit. This will be covered by a bandage. You will need to take very good care of the site to avoid complications like infection or bleeding.

•You may not shower, soak in the tub, or go swimming for the time of the trial. You are encouraged to keep yourself clean with sponge baths.
•You will need to watch the site to make sure everything is healing well. Look at the site daily. Do not remove the bandage. Call your Doctor if you have:
◦Pus-like drainage.
◦Site is red or warm to touch.
◦Excess swelling, bruising, or bleeding.
◦Pain you cannot control

The Permanent SCS Implant:
Frequently Asked Questions (provided by Medtronic)

What are some of the possible complications that I should be aware of?
As with any implanted device, infection can occur. The lead, extension, or
neurostimulator could move within the body or push through the skin. There could
be undesirable changes in stimulation. It is also possible that the implanted materials
could cause an allergic or immune system response.
Your neurostimulation system might unexpectedly cease to function due to battery
depletion or other causes. These events, which can include electrical shorts or open
circuits, conductor (wire) fractures, and insulation breaches, cannot be predicted.

What types of activities can damage or move the lead?
You should know where your lead is placed and keep in mind which movements
may put strain on the lead or on the stitches that hold the neurostimulator in place.
Leads become dislodged primarily because of certain motions or sudden repetitive
movements.
Exercise and other activities should be approached with caution. Excessive or
repetitive bending, twisting, bouncing, or stretching can move or break the lead.
A lead can break or fracture due to action of nearby bones and ligaments. Although it
is made of flexible and durable materials, it is still subject to wear. Therefore, seemingly
harmless or repetitive movements can cause unseen damage over time, eventually
causing the lead to fracture. This damage may require surgery to replace the lead.

When should I call my physician about my neurostimulation system?
Consult with your physician if you:
• Experience additional or unusual pain.
• Notice unusual changes in the quality of your stimulation or if you
experience no sensation.
• Need to increase stimulation more often than normal.
• Notice that the stimulation pattern changes.

Will I be able to drive?
Yes. However, you should turn your neurostimulator OFF prior to driving to help
ensure safe operation of your car.

Are physical activities safe?
Most activities are safe. However, you should always follow your physician’s
instructions with regard to work, exercise, hobbies, or other activities.

What should I do about airport security and theft detectors?
Use care when approaching airport security and theft detection devices such as those
found in libraries and some department stores.
It can be helpful to show your device identification card. Request a hand search.
Security personnel may use a hand-held security wand, but ask them not to hold the
wand near the neurostimulator any longer than is needed.
If you must pass through the security screening device:
• Turn your neurostimulator OFF.
• Approach the center of the security device, and walk through normally.
• Proceed through the security device, keeping as far away as possible from
the gate(s). Do not linger or lean on the security device.
• After you pass through the security device, turn your neurostimulator ON
again to resume therapy.

Can I travel on an airplane?
Yes. Your neurostimulator should not be affected by airplane flights.

How will I know if my neurostimulator is working properly? What happens when the
battery runs out?
If you have a rechargeable device, you will be able to use the patient programmer to
find out when the battery in both the device and the programmer is low.
Do Not let the battery in your SCS device run completely down!

If you have a non-chargeable neurostimulator, your physician will be able to tell you the state of the
battery in your device during regularly scheduled follow-up visits. If your physician finds
that the battery in the device is low, he or she will discuss a replacement procedure.

Can I go in a hot tub, steam room, or sauna?
Yes, but if you feel any localized heat sensation around your neurostimulator, get out.

Can I scuba dive or enter a hyperbaric chamber?
Do not dive below 33 ft. (10 m) of water or enter a hyperbaric chamber above
2.0 atmospheres absolute (ATA). Exceeding these limitations can damage the
neurostimulator system. Before diving or using a hyperbaric chamber, discuss the
effects of high pressure on your neurostimulator with your physician.

Can I sky dive or participate in other high-altitude activities such as skiing or hiking
in the mountains, or flying in a non-commercial airplane?
High altitudes should not affect your neurostimulator. However, you should consider
the movements involved in an activity, and take care to not put undue stress on
your implanted neurostimulation system. For example, the sudden jerking that
occurs during skydiving when the parachute opens can dislodge or fracture the lead,
requiring additional surgery to repair or replace the lead.

ID Card/Tag/Bracelet
 

Should I be concerned about getting an I.D. tag or bracelet to disclose I have SCS implant/s?

Upon your surgery having occurred, both your SCS manufacturer and your surgeon's office should offer to and issue to you identification cards, much like a plastic credit card. If kept on your person/in your wallet, purse, or other convenient carrying place for your Identification and together with your identification and any insurance card you may have MOST ANY credible care giver/first responder to you in case of your incapacity would search for your identification/insurance/SCS warning card and find them together

Thank you Sarah for this important tip! :)

N.i.c.e.
 

Here is a link to the another site about SCS. This was given to me by my pain Consultant when I first discussed SCS with him. The NHS is the British health service In Ireland we have the Dept of Health and its the British guidelines that my Consultant seems to use as SCS is relatively new in Ireland.

http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf...PublicInfo.pdf

Its an interesting read!

Another link re SCS
 

This is another link I got from my Consultant regarding SCS......

http://www.spineuniverse.com/treatme...tion-right-you


Jackie:)

Surge Protect Your Recharging Base for SCS
 

On information gained from Fionab, we have learned Boston Scientific urges its consumers to plug their charging base into a surge protector or surge protected outlet in order to maintain good grace under their Limited Warranty. Other manufacturers may maintain a similar posture. Buyer Beware!:eek:

Mark56 with grateful thanks to Fionab:hug:

Protecting your implant recharger...imp. information
 

As a thunderstorm is rolling in, I happened to think about how our computer, TV and other valuable electronics are plugged in to surge protectors so that lightning will hopefully not fry them. Got me wondering about my implant recharger as it sits there, in the docking station, plugged into the wall for whenever I need it.

So, I called the company and they said to put it on a surge protector because if they deem that's what took it out then it does not fall under warranty. When it's returned, they actually take it apart to make sure it's manufacturer's defect and not caused by something else.

So, I'm off to put mine on a surge protector.

P.S. Looks like Mark was on his toes and already posted some of this information for me...thanks

BLAST and other things
 

I came up with BLAST after the implant surgery when the post op nurse was trying to tell me to remember BLT and add no stretching to it. I told her that was not good enough because it involved too many mental steps. Instead, I coined BLAST, incorporating stretching into the acronym thusly:

1. B DO NOT BEND - This means do not bend over at the waist to pick anything up from the floor [ask for help, squat, or use a "grabber" device which can be purchased at any popular pharmacy]. If it falls, do not BEND over to pick it up. DO NOT BEND to load/unload the washer or dryer or dishwasher. DO NOT BEND to pick up a remote control or the telephone. Place such things at your reach to minimize the temptation to bend. DO NOT BEND to wash your hair, as this will stress those tenuous leads emplaced in your spine..... pretend no one will see you until the trial is over and forget vanity for a little while as you learn whether SCS will work for you.

You may bend somewhat to sit in a car, on a chair or sofa at home, on the toilet to do necessary things, as this form of bending did not seem to interfere with the process when I was in the trial. Get a Grabber such as you may find at a name brand pharmacy for reaching things you should neither bend nor stretch to retrieve while in trial.

2. L DO NOT LIFT - This means anything which puts strain on you AT ALL. Your toothbrush can be lifted [but do not bend to spit, use a tray or practice long distance spitting - this is why hospitals usually issue those plastic bent trays for inpatients], and you can certainly lift a forkful of food to feed yourself while lifting a cup of beverage to wash it down [do not heft a 2 litre stein of your favorite brew, as this will cause strain]. I am reminded of instructions after eye procedures - LIFT NOTHING. The idea is if you lift, some strain will occur and those muscles in your spine will react potentially affecting your trial.

3. DO NOT...... A...... wait a minute, this is an acronym, and vowels have no place.

4. S DO NOT STRETCH which means nothing which would cause you to lift your arms above your eyes. Wear loose fitting clothing which can be buttoned up the front so you need not lift your arms to put on a favorite polo or blouse. Let your hair go for a few days, as lifting your arms to brush it out or comb it puts them above your eyes, I guarantee it. DO NOT STRETCH to reach up for a favorite blouse or shirt to wear during your trial period; let someone else do it or forget it until the trial is concluded. DO NOT STRETCH to place or retrieve a cup/glass/bowl/plate on or from a shelf..... these movements involve raising those arms too high.

Think about avoiding fastening rear fastened bras as they involve stretching. If you will be hanging around your home during the trial.... who will know? If you must go out, maybe your spouse or significant other can assist. Simple things like tying your shoes also involve stretching - wear house slippers or slip on shoes as I did.

5. T DO NOT TWIST- and this can be something as simple as twisting around if someone calls your name [ we all do this ], twisting in your car seat to fasten the seatbelt [ we do this too ]. My spouse helped fasten my seatbelts during this time. I could not drive anyway. That oh so subtle twist which may occur as you finish in the restroom is probably OK [anyway, I had no problem with it].

LOGROLL - Getting into or arising from bed. [This assumes the covers have been pulled back already]
a. Walk up to the bed and back up to it until your legs touch it.
b. Placing your arms out to your side, palms flat and ready to touch the bed as you descend, slowly use your strong legs to descend to a seating position on the bed, touching the bed to either side with your hands for balance.
c. Using your arm on the pillow side of your body, begin to slowly lever yourself down toward the bed so your head may rest upon your pillow while simultaneously raising your legs up from that seated position to align them on the bed as you lie upon your side.
d. Once you have succeeded in lying down, line your legs up to your comfortable position [ mine is with a pillow between the knees for a neutral spine position].
You are down. Rest. You may be fine in such a position as I was after each spine surgery once the aggravation of straining touchy muscles was subsided.

Arising from bed, the actual logroll feature of the above process.
i. Align your body and legs parallel to the edge of the bed nearest to you while facing that edge of the bed. If you had a pillow between your knees for sleep, remove it first.
ii. Using the arm nearest to the mattress, press down with the palm of the hand of that arm upon the mattress, levering yourself up into a seated position as you simultaneously swing your legs over the side of the bed into a seated position.
iii. Take a breath or two and gather your wits. Breathe out, and using your leg and abdominal muscles arise from the seated position into a standing position. Take it easy in this process. If you do not require the assistance of a cane or walker, do not grab onto something or a person as doing so will engage muscles you do not necessarily wish to flex in the process. I had to do this on my own, as I found if someone tried to "help" me up it HURT like thunder and risked harming my trial lead placement.
iv. Upon gaining the standing position, take stock of yourself and move carefully until you are assured of full control of your body in the standing or walking position.

BATHING - During the trial I DID NOT. A sponge bath or washcloth to make the ripe odor go away was one thing, but risking moistening the trial implant area would risk infection and other stuff, so I stayed away from it.

SITTING in a chair or the car - at first I used a flat pillow to protect the back as I would recline against the seat. This issue resolved the longer the trial lasted.

WALKING - Well, this is one thing Doc wanted me to try so as to learn whether SCS would be viable in multiple environmental uses. I did not RUN or JOG, just walked since the leads are just barely sutured into place and then taped like heck to hold them as firmly as possible.


Any of this which sounds wonky should be checked out with your Doc or Recovery Nurse as I am neither.... just a veteran of spine surgery too many times.;)
:grouphug:

Hi everyone
There was a lot of general discussion on this thread, but the thread is intended for useful websites and resources for SCS & Pain Pumps, not for convo :winky:
PLEASE only post helpful links, references and resources onto this thread


I have moved all discussion off here onto a general thread below, and will be moving any future discussion posts there too.
here is the link to the discussion thread http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread200564.html

Links to Chronicle of Path through SCS surgery
 

Helpful links to threads which will walk all inquirers through the whole of my personal experience both good/bad and wondrous/difficult are found here. Click them if you desire to read a story from beginning through its present chapter. If you have questions about the experience - I am here and willing to chime in on one of the threads in the forum [I do this quite a bit] or to respond to private message. Your choice there. Best sources for your receipt of Professional guidance relating to your questions are YOUR PHYSICIANS and other PROFESSIONAL HEALTHCARE GIVERS.

The links:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ton+Scientific

and the present second iteration -

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread170843.html

In hopes for the betterment of your health,
M56 :hug:

About SCS's....
 

scs pain stimulator. just had one implanted in jan 15 it is working 65% or so i am weaning off the meds i can no longer work because of a severe foot drop i was an h-d tech and welder. NOTE TO WELDERS OUT THERE IF YOU GET A PIAN STIIMULATOR YOU ARE DONE WELDING THE RFI AND HEAVY MAGNETIC FIELDS PRODUCED BY WELDING COULD AND PROBABLY INTERFERE WITH YOUR STIMULATOR IF IT IS ON OR OFF IT MAY CAUSE IT TO COME ON GO OFF OR DAMAGE THE UNIT THIS IS ACCORDING TO MEDTRONICS TECH DEPT ESCPECIALLY IF YOU ARE TIG WELDING AT HIGH AMPS AND SWEATING IN THE SUMMERTIME WITH YOUR PROTECTIVE GEAR ON. THE ABOVE POST IS VERY GOOD FOR THE TRIAL PERIOD I HAVE HAD 4 BACK SURGERIES I HAVE BEEN ON PAIN MEDS FOR 6 YEARS THEY WERE NOT WORKING ANYMORE SO I CHOSE A SCS.