Stim is officially back on!!
 

Hi everyone, I am back with a fantastic update. After charging all day today and part of the day yesterday I am happy to say that my stim is finally up and working again! I have great coverage in both legs :) I am still having pain in my back but I think it is because incisions are still healing but I am just thankful to have it on and working in my legs again! Its working better than it was before I went into surgery :) I am really thankful and so happy I went through this surgery because it was definitely worth it! I think it is important for me to reiterate that even though I had to have 3 surgeries it was all worth it because I am finally getting some relief and its way better than the "relief" we get with pain meds! I probably will need to get re-programmed though after I heal up more since I am not getting much coverage in my back but I am just happy my legs are BOTH all tingling:winky: instead of being in horrible pain! And we got Gigi to sleep all night last night finally and we had to keep her in bed with us but it was the first time all 3 of us have slept since Christmas lol. My mom is feeling better too so I am also thankful for that :) Hope you are all having a good weekend, I had to share this good news!! Now that I am getting better I am actually looking forward to starting this new semester on Monday! Thanks for all the help, support, and encouragement, I really appreciate it! Take care :hug::hug::hug:Tara

Hallelujah Tara
 

What a joy it is to turn to your thread and see that your stim is both on and FUNCTIONING WELL! May your healing continue and soreness abate. May you begin, albeit carefully, your semester, and may things do nothing but improve for you and Jerry and Gigi everyday!!!!

Prayin for you, dear friend,
Mark56:hug:

That's great news ... good news for me too that it CAN actually help back pain as my Doctor said it would only help my butt and leg pain.

Yay!

I think I'm going to do a cheeky tomorrow and ring my Surgeon's Secretary up and see if she knows of a date for me at all. Or do you think that would seem too pushy?

First night with it back on....
 

Well, I have to have my stim on constantly and when I am sleeping in order to help with the leg pain and last night I was able to sleep better! I definitely noticed they changed my settings/programs so I am going to have to get reprogrammed soon. When I turn it up higher (trying to get it into my back area) it actually just creates more soreness and pain in my incision areas so I am still taking pain meds but only one and that is to help with those pains, the stim is working great for my legs! I was even able to do housework (no vacuuming) and cook dinner last night. Tomorrow it is Jerry's day off so he is taking me out since we weren't able to go out for so long and I am so excited to try to walk and not have to use the chair!

Saffy, I think it would be fine if you called to check on things. You have to stay on top of things and I found that out the hard way when things were not getting done. You are their patient and they are there to help you so I think its perfectly fine to keep tabs on them! Good luck and I hope you get some news soon ;) I have heard doctors say that sometimes the stim does not take away the pain in the lower back but in my case when things are working right it helps the pain in my legs and back:winky:. take care:hug::hug:

Hi Tara and Saffy
 

Tara- Way to go with the stim! I hope it [the incision related pain] settles down soon for you, and besides which, you need to be able to get out and enjoy life a bit with Jerry. I, too, use my unit even as I sleep, just turning it down a bit because I notice that when I lie down, the intensity of signal increases automatically, like as if a change of posture itself affects the signal; and besides which, remember, I have gone totally off of meds for pain, so the stim is my only control and I am glad of it.

Saffy- I agree wholeheartedly with Tara that a call to the doc's office inquiring about the progress with your date is quite allright. I am guilty of doing it, and then one day, they called me with the date! What a relief!

Prayin,
Mark56:grouphug:

I think I overdid it
 

Well, today I woke up in a horrible amount of pain where my incision is :( The whole left side of my back is spasming really bad and of course the stim is not covering that kind of pain. It has not been this bad in awhile and my pain med is not helping, so I left a message with my pain doctor nurse to get refill of the other stuff that was helping. I hope they do that because I am miserable :( I also started my classes today and the pain is so bad again that I can't sit by the computer very long. I guess I need to cut back on my activities again and try to rest today. This is so frustrating :(

Tara:hug: it is frustrating indeed, but I suppose you have to be careful not to overdo it as you only have your stim on a few days and even though you feel great your body needs to rest too as its still early days since your surgery.

I have to admit that the stim does NOT cover the pain in my back as it does in my legs......I do get great relief in my legs at night and when Im sitting on my couch its so relaxing. I have to say that when Im walking I dont get the sensations as strong as I do while Im lying or sitting down, so that need addressing. I can understand also when you say that if you turn UP the stim to cover your pain that then impacts on the incisions. I find that the actual sensation from turning the stim up too high is worse than the actual pain itself, so its a catch 22 situation.

But I hope that you can get this sorted out soon and get the meds that you need to help you again.....

Saffy I would DEFINITLEY ring the secretary, you know you do need to keep on at them to make sure they dont forget, as they would have a lot of patients and you could get 'lost' among the crowd. Im never one for sitting back and waiting I will ALWAYS make my voice heard when Im waiting for someone to phone me back......hope you get some good news soon though!

Jackie:hug:

Well as Pooh would admonish
 

Tara, gotta avoid overdoing!! For real! Ease back into the mainstream and allow your body to come along as it will.

:hug:ZZZZ
Mark56:hug:

Sick again :(
 

Hi everyone, sorry I have not been around but I started up my spring semester so I am really busy and also I am sick again :( I am also still having incision pain but my stim is still helping with my leg pain(yay:winky:)! The pain doctor had to mail my pharmacy a new prescription for the pain med so I am very thankful I will get some relief that way. I am trying to be good and not overdo things of course it does not help that I am getting sick again everytime I go out again :( but that is not my stim that is another issue :( Jerry tried to take me out to a nice dinner two nights ago but I was in too much pain and had to come back home, I feel really bad when I have to keep disappointing him like that but I told him that this is temporary and someday we can go out and it will be better. My cousin had her baby girl last night and I am happy because we were worried for her and the baby because of some issues going on. Well, I need to make this short because I have to do school work then take some med and lay down again. Hope everyone is having a good week! I will try to be back when I can but I am thinking of you all :) Take care. :hug: Tara

How are you doing dear Tara!
 

I've been thinking bout you and hoping your week has gone well.

Anxious to hear how you are getting along.
I hope the sickness has passed and that you aren't feeling overwhelmed with everything. The new semester.....the sweet little pup.....

You sure do have a full life.....
Give us a quick update when you're up too it k!

(((HUGS))) :hug::grouphug::hug:
Rae

Hey there Tara!
 

I'm with Rae on my curiosity how you are getting along, hoping the illness has gone, and that your surgical pain is abating. Here are prayers for you, too!

Prayin,
Mark56:hug:

Yay!!
 

I have not been on this forum for months, but I remember you and your struggles to get the stims back in order. So glad that issue has been resolved for you and I wish you the best of luck!!!



:hug: Vanna

Still sick
 

Hi everyone, thanks for asking about me. I have actually been sick and am dealing with a lot healthwise right now :( I am also busy with school and keeping up with my class work even when I am feeling bad. My stim is still working very well but I am still on pain meds to deal with incision pain and at night I hurt very bad :( My IC is really bad again and I had to start doing self catheter treatments again and it is very painful :( Hope everyone is doing well and I will be back when I can. You are all always in my thoughts and prayers!:hug::hug::hug:Take care Tara

Our Very Dear Tara
 

SO SORRY to know you are still sick, enduring incision pain, dealing with catheter issues, and all while still healing from surgery and attending to schoolwork. You are definitely in my prayers for support, healing, and comfort.

Prayin,
Mark56:hug:Z:circlelove::smileypray::Heart:

So sorry to hear of your suffering Tara! Hope this storm passes quickly for you and wishing for sunshine in your life soon!


Hang in there!! :hug: Vanna

GENTLE (((hugs))):hug:z

Tara!! thinking of you
 

So sorry to hear you are still suffering Tara. Why do some people have to go through so much in their life. But I know you are a strong person and you will come out of all this smiling and pain free. Dont over do it though, you seem to have a lot on your plate, what with school work also.

Always in my prayers Tara

Jackie:hug:

It's been a week......just checking.....
 

I'm so concerned for you dear Tara!

You've been battling so much! I sure hope your illness has lifted so that you can continue on with your recouperating from your surgery and getting your life back to normal.

Give us a quick update if you are up for it. K :hug:

You've got SO much on your plate right now.....I just don't see how you do it.

How is your Mom doing?
And Gigi?

Caring Always
Rae
:hug::grouphug::hug:

Hugs for Tara and Jerry
 

HUGS for your little family, including Gigi too. Sure, they are gentle hugs, and I am just concerned for you as are all of us.

Prayin,
Mark56:hug:

Hope your ok Tara, its been a while.........I hope Gigi is behaving herself:Dand not keeping you up at night either....

If you get a chance try to post and let us know how your doing....

In my prayers as always

Jackie:hug:

Just checking in
 

Hi everyone, sorry I have not been around in awhile. Thanks for asking about me and thinking about me :grouphug:Rrae, Jackie, Mark, and Pooh (and everyone else). I have been trying to keep up with everything while dealing with my health problems. I found out on Friday that my IC is so bad again I have to have another bladder distention done because nothing is going to help me right now. I am really not happy about it because it is very painful and messes me up for at least a week (causing more pain and issues), and I am really mad because this would not have gotten so bad if they would have let me just continue my meds back when I had surgery! Also, they put me on stuff because my bladder is not emptying right and they think it has to do with my stim surgery (although I don't know why) and I hate this new med because I can hardly sleep since I go to the bathroom every 2-3 hours :( I know this isn't a stim issue which is why I wasn't going to talk about it so I hope you don't get mad that I am posting about it. I have been really depressed and angry and sad and kind of keeping to myself.
The good news is that my stim has been working great, I even was able to go on a lunch date with my husband a few days ago and I try to walk every chance I get except it is hard because of the snow and ice since I don't want to fall ;) I am glad it is working and so glad I had the surgery! I am still sore and I do still have to take pain meds but only 1 pill about every 6 hours which is way better than having to take 4 different pills every 4 hours! Gigi is doing good, we had to get her a new bed because she is growing and tried to mess up the old one! She is very sweet but also likes to bite me ALOT and I have the marks all over to prove it ;) I am so thankful to have her though because she keeps me company when I am alone so much especially during the day! I will try to check in at least every couple weeks or so its just hard because I am feeling so bad and trying to get my school work from both semesters done and under control! And after I get this bladder thing under control I have to go to doctor for the other stuff and hopefully get that taken care of and feeling better. I guess its just one of those things, I get one health issue fixed and the others get worse so then I have to fix them too;)! Well, sorry this turned out so long I need to go lay down and try to work on school work. I will try to catch up on how everyone is doing later. I am thinking of you all and praying for you :) Take care:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:!

TC Plz
 

b/c we care about u!!!!!:D:grouphug::hug::hug::hug::hug:z

AGREED Pooh
 

We DO SO CARE Tara, so please do not fret about bringing your issues here. This is a safe place among so many who CARE.

Praying for you,
Mark56:hug:Z:grouphug:

Good to hear from you Tara:hug: I am really sorry to hear that you are still unwell. Why do some people get so much hardship in their lives. I hope they can sort it all out for you and do it sooner rather than later. You are such a brave woman. All my woes just fade when I read about you and others that have multiple issues going on:hug: Please dont feel bad about coming on here and sharing that what we all do you do plus we all encourage each other too.

Glad to hear your still enjoying Gigi, Im sure she is getting really big now. Be careful if you have to venture out as you certainly do not want to have a fall on top of everything else.

Take care Tara and you are always in my prayers too

Jackie:hug:

We are like family!
 

Yes, everyone says it so well! Dear Tara! :grouphug:
Just because we are SCSer's, doesn't mean we can't talk about other challenges we face.....I think it's great that we are able to open up to one another and share what goes on in our lives.
If we kept this forum strictly to buttbuzz talk, well.....it would just be kinda like playin the same song all the time.
We NEED diversity!

Some days we feel goofy and act like idiots on here :Crazy 2: ....(except ME of course :) i'm the only one who stays on the straight and narrow :p).....

Other days we need to vent ANGER :mf_argue:.......

We are always picking each other up. Always praying for one another.

There isn't a single one of us who hasn't been down and out.
I'm like you, Tara, that sometimes I get so low that I just don't want anyone to 'see' me like that....... I hide under my covers......
I completely understand wanting to be 'alone'..... Just please don't make the mistake I've made in the past by isolating for TOOO long......it can cross over to a very dark place...... I think most of us know that 'dark' place I'm referring to.
We NEED 'fellowship'. To share in our ups and downs.

Today I feel high as a kite because my precious grandson (2 months old!) looked me deep in the eyes and gave me a MILLION DOLLAR SMILE for the first time ever! This was today! I feel like I'm on top of the world!
But you know what? Yesterday, I felt totally down and out. It was just a 'bad' day from the start and I had a yelling match with one of my twin sons..... and other issues were going on that had me in a mindframe of wishing that I could just walk right on thru the 'exit' door. Know whatta mean?

And this is how I see it.......I know that there are aLOT of people who come upon our forum while doing Google searches for info on SCS's and pain pumps....
By reading thru some of our threads, people can SEE that we still have many challenges and frustrations, even tho our stimulators can and do bring us much relief......we talk REAL talk....
There might be people who are under the impression that these units are miracles and cures......or perhaps they've been mislead by some 'salespitch' and don't realize how much is actually involved with getting these devices.

I know that when I was frantically online looking for information about these units, I wanted to hear 'real people' stuff......not the glorified, commercialized version. I wanted reality.
We are all in this together and we are constantly learning and growing from one another.
I could go on all night about how wonderful I feel about each and every person who comes here to share.....
And I love reading your updates. I so desperately want to see you be able to reach your goals and dreams (and you will!)......I'm just so sorry for all the things you are up against. But we all know you to be a VERY strong person.
You are a testimony unfolding right before us.

Just keep on being 'YOU' and don't EVER feel inhibited. You probably don't realize how many people you inspire.

Boy......I am really babbling on tonite aren't I!
I reckon I've got my point across by now.... :o and you MUST know how dear you are to all of us!

Caring ALWAYS,
Rae
:hug::grouphug::hug:

Absolutely well said Rae. You certainly put that out there to perfection :hug:

Soooo delighted to hear that little Aidyn has SMILED. Isn't it the most tremendous feeling in the world. My little grand daughter is just 7 months and has just got her first tooth. So great excitement. Doesn't it make you melt inside to see their little faces beam a huge smile. Fabulous!!!! I hope your daughter is doing well too Rae.

Jackie:hug:

Hi Tara- I vote with Rae and Jackie
 

You and your life story inspire others to the capacity to KEEP TRYING. You have brought those sentiments, those words, your heartbreaks and triumphs to the world..... th eWORLD through here. Bless you and Jerry, and Gigi, and may your weekend be a time of rest and peace.

Grateful,
Mark56:hug:z

P.S. RAE- that is so wonderful about Aidyn's SMILE. what a precious blessing of a moment for you!

Thank you everyone for thinking of me. I feel so bad that some of you are still having problems, when my stim is actually helping me for a change. I am still not doing very good with my other problems and like I said, that is why I have not been around too much. I get really overwhelmed and I was very depressed because I had to start facing certain things again and I want it to be over and me to be better. I have also been really busy with other issues as well and of course all of the school work! I have to meet with my lawyer next week about my lawsuit, and I have doctor appointments coming up and I think they are going to do the painful procedure on my bladder a week from Tuesday(I am dreading it and don't want to do it again). Gigi is good and I really think having her is what really helped me to recover so well. Although she is definitely full of energy and its hard for me to catch up with her at times lol. This is all I have time to write about for now, I am trying to read through posts and catch up to see how everyone is doing but it takes me awhile...