is your battery flat or can you feel it sticking out
 

Hi everyone! As you all know I had my battery fixed for the second time. It now is sticking out at the top. I can actually grap the top and hold it with my thimb on top and finger on back. I am so tired of this . Will you please tell me if you don't mind were you have your battery and to the degree you can feel it through the skin. Like if you rub over it and just feel the edges or is there a very noticable line like a big dip or ridge. Thanks for all the answers as I try to figure out were to put it or take it out.

I, too, can feel my battery and grab a little of it with my thumb and finger. When you look at it, you also can see that something is 'sticking' out and it's not flat. I've had the implant for about 10 weeks and the battery area is still tender if touched too much or bumped. I'm not sure if the tenderness will ever go away since it isn't flat. I'm hoping that it will as the skin gets a little tougher around it but I don't know that for certain. Hopefully, someone will post who has more experience with this than I do.

Hang in there!!!

Thanks the first time they put it in in April 09. It was flat I could only feel one corner of it. I waited till October and had it moved because evertime I set back it sent pain all through my body. It was right under my bra line. Now it is above my waistline about middle ways between both spots it has now been. I can feel it like move and it feels like something is ripping when I lay on my right side were it is. I am so discusted. I just want to rip it out. But I want my life back. I want to enjoy life again and this SUCKS! Thanks for your help. Maybe something can be done.

abrown.....
 

You've been so patient as you've gone thru your revisions!
Things were looking so good at first!

Like kzlrogue said, mine was pretty tender there until the stitches disolved and i didn't even want to touch that area - eck!
Now tho, it's not so tender to the touch. Yes it sticks out a tad and when I put my hand where it is I can feel the whole outline of it right under my skin (may 1/8th inch or so). It's certainly something to get used to.

But, in your case, I'm concerned regarding this 'ripping' feeling you are describing. Is this only at the pocket site? Are your leads doing ok?

I so desperately want this to work for you! You've been thru so much!
I'd continue 'pestering' your doctor who implanted it and let him know about the ripping feeling and that it seems to be rotating or changing positions. The sooner he can get to it the better. Maybe it's just a matter of re-stitching something in more secure.
You've certainly got every right to get aggrivated with this!

We have a new member who's had 3 SCS's and I think she'll be able to give us some direction! Her name is Pooh and she recently started a new thread here. Feel free to ask her what she thinks may be going on. She may be able to give us some tips on what to say to the doctor and other suggestions.

......I want to keep saying 'hang in there my friend'.....but how much is a person supposed to take!? :(

I do believe in my heart we'll get to the bottom of this.

One thing that is frustrating with me right now is that I can tell I've lost so much muscle tone in my hip/butt/back due to the post op restrictions. So now when I try to slowly incorporate new activities into my lifestyle, I have to go thru the muscle pain until I can get the muscles toned back up
....can't WAIT to get back in the therapy pool!!

TTYS my friend,
Rae
:hug:

Hi new here.
Abrown176, I have a SCS and my battery sticks out, so does the wiring in my back....extremely unpleasant, unfortunately my Consultant says its because im thin. I got it implanted originally a year ago but had to go back because of the battery, the pain was terrible, so they brought me back in a replaced and padded it, so it cant move.

I had a new lead put in amonth ago and the area around the battery and wiring is still very tender but he says this will take a while and all my 'insides' have to heal even though the wound is healing. So the tenderness should go BUT I would 150% go back if you can feel it moving in any way.

Rrae, I have the same problem, my muscles have weekened so much over time, I get cramp from doing the simplest thing.

Hey Livewire!
 

How GREAT of you to drop in!!
We need all the input we can get! Please stick around! You've got great info to share!

You know, I sure wish they'd do it 'right' the first time (Re: padding it, and some even get their IPG's put in a special little 'pouch' so scar tissue won't invade)
It's so frustrating seeing all these folks having to go back for all these revisions! THIS is why we need more and more folks who've had SCS's for some time now (a year or more at least) to come here and offer advice/suggestions.

Again, thanks so much for taking the time to post some support! :hug:

Hope to 'see' more of you!
Rae

I have had my SCS since July of 2002
My battery sticks out I can hold it between thumb and fingers like when one is picking up a coin . I can kind of cup mine with half of my hand. I think it is good idea for everyone to say where the battery is placed . Mine is under left arm below arm pit where bra line is. I can feel it press on side of rib when anything touches it . when I have to wear bar I prefer sports bra as they have thicker strap and it is more like a pocket around the battery, Rather then a thin string rope like feeling pressing on it . I cant lay on that side for very long or hug pillow under that arm.It dose not cause lots of pain it is more annoying and uncomfortable. I am kinda thin I guess and short 5" 2 .
It has never slid or moved at all . Mine is not chargeable and has to be replaced every 7 - 10 years it is more like the type they used for pace makers. It is kinda big , I guess like a small hockey puck and its very visible. I had to get comfortable being topless with hub cus well there is this 3 roundish thing popping out and its not my boob. :o sorry if thats to much info .

I would Bug your doctor and get this issue taken care of if you think yours is sliding , moving or you have ripping sensation... If anything feels "not right" Force the issue with your doctors. Keeping you in my positive thoughts and prayers abrown :hug:
PEACE
BMW

Bmw
 

http://dl9.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...g97z5zn8z8.png

Now THAT's what I'm talkin bout!
You da Bomb! BMW

My battery is in my stomach, it was lower - not comfortable position at all. Still very uncomfortable wearing trousers - tg leggings are 'in'...I noticed from few threads ive read....some of ye see the Rep after implant not your Dr :confused: Am I reading this right??????

Here we have a pain team set up in the hospital and you see them before and after, with regular chk-ups, the Rep only comes around after sugery to show you how to use it and then maybe if you need re-programing....but if there are problems with it your seen by your surgeon or one of his team. You then are sent on a Pain Mgmt Programme to help you deal with the implant, mentally & physically (im on the list for this but its compulsary) and talk to other people in similar situations (pain).

any questions, just ask

I do not know about any one else but as for me I have never seen a Rep after having my SCS surgery.Any issues I have are handled by my Neuro or pain doc.. if need be the rep would be brought in but..so far SO GOOD.:) I have not had any issues with mine.I get the feeling I am one of a few who never had anything wrong since day one of SCS implant. I am lucky blessed and so THANKFUL .
:grouphug:
PEACE
BMW

I'm going to reply to this thread even tho I no longer have my scs. The first batter was placed in my right butt cheek, just up from the biggest part of my butt. (I know I don't hear laughing....right..lol:eek: :ROTFLMAO::ROTFLMAO:) it did stick out after a while. It turned out that it was turning under the skin. It made sitting down very uncomfortable. I did end up having not only the battery moved, but they had to replace the leads and did so with the paddles. they moved the battery to my side, just below the waist. It did last long as I did develop a MRSA infection under the battery and everything had to come out. I now have a pump, and the pump itself was placed in my lower back just above the waist. If we are on a car trip I could have ppl connect the dots on my back to help pass the time. Oh well, at least the surgeries are over as I'm in love with the pump.

Hugs
Mary
:grouphug:

Cheers!
 

http://dl6.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...m6dda4mret.png

Here's to our new member from Ireland! :D
So glad to have you on board Livewire!


And LostMary! :Good-Post: Your sense of humor is great!
The "Connect-The-Dots" game is an awesome visual!
I'd gladly travel with you ANY day! ....... of course....we'd have to haul a pretty big trailer for our HORSES!! yes? :Head-Spin:

I think I want this thing out. I can't take this. As the swelling goes down the more buldge I am getting. When I sit in a chair like at McDonalds the battery gets hung under the back of the chair when sitting. Its one of those with the open back with just a thing at the top coming across. Kinda like a ladder back chair missing the bottom wrung. I know it helps but the way my back is hurting I have to take the Medicine anyway so why not just have it removed. Any thoughts before I make this drastic desicion. All would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

I wonder......
 

......if there would be any type of belt-type thing or 'wrap' you could wear around it to keep it from protruding........or SOMEthing to keep you more comfortable and to keep it from sticking out so much.....and then when the swelling goes all the way down, the pain might subside.
Gosh almighty, I sure would think you're Dr would be a little more on the ball and realize what it's like for you trying to live day by day while this heals?

I'd hate to see you take it out if there's something right around the corner that'll make things turn around for you so you could have a better level of comfort. But after all you've been thru, it's completely understandable that you're wanting to just get it out of you.

Do you feel as tho the SCS is doing what it's supposed to as far as covering over your pain? In other words, if it weren't for the fact that it sticks out the way it is, would you feel ok with it?
I wish i could be a fly on the wall when you are with your Dr telling him about this discomfort issue. I'd like to know if he is really 'hearing' you ! :confused:
You're at witt's end.
I just wish he'd come thru for you!

Still Praying
Rae
:hug:

I have a SCS in my neck, And in my hip is my battery. I have to push down a little to feel the battery, otherwise if i run my hand over my skin you cant tell it is there. when i push down alllot to pain i can feel the corners and stuff, but otherwise I dont even notice that it is there... just wanted to give my imput :)

I have a dress on today and I can see the battery sticking out :eek: so have to wear carrigans or jumpers over anything tight/clingy, obviously very concience of it..

Hi I'm Maureen I didn't get my implant yet. Where did you have the surgery? Did it helkp with your back pain. Mine would go in the butt area. I'm afraid to get it doen after hearing many people here didn't have goo results. Mine is from ANS. Where is your device from? ANy info would be good. Thanks, MO

I had my surgery in Statesville, North Carolina. I did not have back pain before implant only left foot and leg pain. My back now hurts terribly after 3 surgerys on the SCS. They can not get mine programmed to cover my spine only the sides of back. The best thing to do is try the temp inplant and see if it helps. My battery has been under bra line on back, right above pants waist on back, and now in the middle of the two spots on my back. My SCS is from Medtronics. It helps with foot and leg pain but it makes the muscles in my side and back spasm when its on. The battery is not comfy and due to spread of RSD I know am taking more meds than before implant. I just figure if I have to take them anyway why not have it out and be comfortable. My friend has her battery in her butt cheek and loves hers for her back pain. All a person can do is to give the trial implant a try and see if it helps. Just do your homework some have great experiences and others bad. Its up to you if you want to take the risk. I would have done it all over just to try to gain relief and get my life back. But have to realize when it is not the best option for me. Good luck in what you decide. Any more questions will be glad to answer.

Hi Mozena14 :)
I have a SCS for face pain not for back or neck. I was the first in USA to "try" a SCS for face pain. It is still not approved by the Gov for face pain yet :( :(
I had my implant in July of 2002 by
Doctor Mayfield He is Pain Management Doctor (I will message you with more detail info in case you wish to contact him)
I have Medtronics unit and a battery that dose NOT recharge .
My surgery was done at Halifax Hosp in Daytona Beach Florida. I did have to go to Shand Hosp in Gainsville a few times for tests and meet with Doctors and specialists. And Oh YES it has helped so much with my pain issue. It Saved my life and given me part of my life back.
A SCS for face pain ..Trigeminal Neuragia is a very last resort (as is motor cortex stimulation ) and that is just where I was.
Anyways I will message you. Please read threw the threads here and get as much info as you can.Ask questions even the ones that may seem silly..cus they are not silly! That is the best way to decide what feel right what is right for you. We are all differnt and what helps one may not help the next one . I have lots of hope that this would work for you. :hug: have you had the trial yet????
:grouphug:
Let us know how things are going and know we are here for you
:grouphug:
PEACE
BMW

Jcompere CRPS/SCS implant! I just got back from my doctors after having the permanate SCS implanted 3 wks ago. The trial was better than the permanate surgery. I am starting to experience back pain along the leads and the implant site is very sore. I was told to massage the back and implant site to keep everything from tightening up. He expressed how important it is to stretch the tissue out durning the healing process. I told him I was unhappy with where the implant was placed(I have paddels @c2-c3) the implant ended up on my waist line Where my clothing irritates it. He agreeded with me and said he was following the Boston Scientific Rep's direction for where it should go. She was worried about my bra line!!! My result is not as good as the trial when I use 2 of my 4 programs(the best ones) it causes my right shoulder to jerk when I turn up the signal. It is still better than CRPS in R arm & wrist. Has any one had problems like this?
"J"

I just got back from one of my every other week tweaking sessions with my surgeon. (We can't quite get a program that stays in the areas it should.) I asked her about my battery sticking out. I can grab it a little with my finger and thumb and it's still tender to touch. I seem to always bump it on something. She told me that she had no problems going in and making a deeper pocket for me. However, she wanted to wait a little longer because my body is still healing. It's been about 3 months since I had the surgery. She also thinks as I get more active I will start losing weight (like the 60 lbs I've gained since the pain restricted me from being active as I once was) so there is risk that the battery might flip so she would like to wait and see if that happens and then make a deeper pocket for the battery so nothing sticks out. I'm not sure why she didn't just create a deeper pocket to begin with but it is what it is. I will take this over the pain I was in before the surgery any day.

Oh, my battery is located on my right side. If you were to draw an imaginary line from my belly button over, that's pretty much were it is. It's high enough so I don't have any issues with my jeans or dress pants. However, I do have to be careful because it's the exact height were my son's (who is 6) arms are when he hugs me, but I will suffer through any type of pain for his hugs. They are more than worth it!!!

I hope things get better for you!! Hang in there!! :Heart:

I had my battery removed yesterday and the leads left in. We are going to see if I miss the SCS. If I don't they wll take the lead out later. If I want it back then they will reimplant the battery. We will see how goes but as for today my back is not in as much pain as it has been. So lets all cross our fingers that this is the right thing to do. Talk to you later peeps!

I'm gonna ask my Doc
 

.....regarding the battery sticking out...... ? ..... As I began to get more active and start walking more, that's when I noticed one of the corners of my battery seems to be getting closer to the 'surface' :confused:....
So NOW I've backed off the walking until after I see Dr again in 3 days...
I have heard of situations where the battery tries to work itself out!

It's almost as tho the walking is making my hip/butt muscle area try to 'push' the battery closer to the surface (boy does this sound 'creeepy' or what :rolleyes:) I wonder if my Dr will say the same thing that your's did Kzlrogue Re: 'resetting the battery in deeper' :eek: Well HECK DrGENIUS why didn't we do it that way to BEGIN with!!

It's like having to start from scratch.....as far as having NO muscle tone in the lower back/hip because of post op restrictions and the original pain condition rendering us 'not capable' of being very active.

Ain't this a dandy :grouphug:

Never a dull moment is it Rae?!?! :mf_swordfight: What can you do except hope for the best and plan for the worst......except it's hard to plan when you don't have all the info. Thank goodness for this site where people can come and learn about the things that the doctors don't seem to tell us. So to anyone and everyone out there......:Thank you: for all your comments, thoughts, venting, and sharing. It really means a lot to me. I have found a special kind of belonging within this site that I could not find anywhere else. :You-Rock:

Well thank you kzlrogue
 

.....and I may add, if you will....that this forum simply would not be the same without YOU!! :)

Well, here's my Newsflash of the day!
Went to the Dr and he looked at my battery site and just smiled and said....
...you've lost weight girl, that's all.
:confused: Ok

He gave me the thumbs up to get back into swimming and said all looks well!
I have no pain at the battery site or anything, so......hmmmmm who knew.

SO perhaps that's been the case with any others?

Well, I guess it's a good thing I only had 25 lbs to lose.......otherwise I'm thinkin the battery MIGHT have ended up in my BUTTcrack!! :eek:

Hugs to all
Life continues to bring us these brilliant and profound new enlightenments.

:Demonstration: yippppeeeee

Rrae you are so funny girl. I almost laughed so hard I peed on my self. Hope that battery doesn't end up in your butt crack. Sounds like your doing good with it. Hope everything is going well and will talk later!!:ROTFLMAO:

Location of SCS
 

LiveWire: I know you are uncomfortable and only those of us who have SCS can understand how it feels. I have lost so much weight that my SCS is moving around but it is placed in my left cheek muscle. It has been red, inflamed on the outside and they have treated it with some anti-inflamatory cream. I have tried to wear spandex (very tight), girdles, etc. as the Medtronics rep. instructed me to try but nothing works. My doc said to gain weight but I keep losing and I am not trying to lose. On June 1st they are going to go in again and try to find some fatty muscle and make another pocket for the SCS and try to make it so it will not move around. It is so painful now that besides the neurological pain I already had since 2003 I now battle sitting, standing, walking, and charging the SCS b/c it is so painful to do so. I can understand how you feel about the loss of muscle tone. My physical therapist won't work with me now b/c she said it would do more damage. I lift my legs up when I am on the bed and put a can of soup in each hand and do arm extension and lifting exercises at home. I also ride my stationery bike 2 minutes a day but I am exhausted. I think we just have to keep moving. Good Luck! You will get used to your pain level soon and if not go back to the Doc.
Deb Dog

I can feel the corner of my battery and the outline of the rest of it. I'm not the least bit concerned but if you are, i would suggest talking to your rep or doc about it.

hello frankenback!
 

Thanks for poppin in!
it's always great to hear from a fellow SCSer :)

How long have you had yours?
Rae