new to the forum
 

hi, my names nan, i hav wondered, has anyone been able to go back to work once they've rec'vd the scs. scheduled for 5/10 to get the permanent, and still not sure what to expect before, during and after surgery...not to mention recovery, what do u think?

Hi Nanspain
 

Hi Nanspain:)

Good to meet you. You will find a wealth of information on this fantastic board. There are many many people who have had the permanent implant and benefitted from it.

I had mine done in August 2010 for lower back and leg pain (failed Back Syndrome)......I have had two failed spinal fusions, disectomy and other procedures to no avail. I do get some great relief in my legs with the SCS which I find very relaxing.

Im not sure exactly how you are feeling or where your pain is, but I suppose the first thing is to say is that its impossible to say if you would be able to go back to work until you are fully recovered from your implant. Everyone is different and everyone will have a different story to tell about their implant operation. Mine was not as bad as my spinal fusions, they were SORE!!! yes I did have some discomfort and it was important to listen to the Dr's and the Rep in your aftercare and precautions. Unfortunately I am unable to go back to work due to my back problem but as I say thats up to each individual as to what you work at and how you cope after the implant.

I do wish you the very best of luck with your forthcoming operation its only a few days away now!!!...so glad that you have found us here and please make sure that you read all the different posts as they all have lots and lots of information which Im sure will answer any questions you might have. Plus you will definitely get lots of other people coming on here too , to welcome you and to also answer whatever you ask.....

Take care

Jackie:)

Welcome Nan....
 

Hello! You've found a wonderful sight....

Like Jackie said, it's a very individualized treatment and we all have a unique story to tell.....

Here is a link that is VERY informative! I copy this in alot of posts because IMO this says it all...it expains every step of the way.
http://www.nationalpainfoundation.or...e-technologies

Check out the 'stickies' above......you'll find some good info there.

Best wishes for May 10th! So, did you do the trial first - to get an idea of what it will be like?
Please keep us posted!

Rae
:hug:

a lil more bout me
 

yes i did hav the trial, and like some of you i've had 2 failed spinal fusions L5S1, ddd, plus surgery to remove instrumentation, and a screw broke off in my back. its still there. all sorts of lower back ,hip, and leg pain. many o/p procedures, so at this point im lookin for a miracle.

Thanks for the response
 

thanks for that info, i have really been a bit nervous and its nice to ta lk with someone who knows exactly what im going through.

Not quite sure if im doing this right but here i go...i have had 2 failed spinal fusions with the removal of instrumentation. countless o/p surgeries, many epid. injecs, along with DDD. Also, when my instrumen. was removed, a screw broke off in my back and wasnt able to be removed. all began back in 2002, and its been a long haul.

You're doin just fine Nan!
 

Yep, you got the posting down pat!
There might be a bit of a delay in seeing your posts here until you get to a certain number (10 or something?)....and then you'll be a fully established member and will be able to send PM's (private messages) to any of us.
We're here for you :hug:

I'm so sorry about all that you've been thru....
Keep the faith, ok!

Rae
:hug::grouphug::hug:

Welcome Nan!!
 

You are now among friends who will gather around caring and yearning to help you as you approach this 5/10 permanent implant! Jackie and Rrae have truly provided wealth in wisdom for you regarding the quest to regain some of your life post surgery. Jackie is so right in sharing that each of us is different. Pretty much as each of us has unique fingerprints.

Pooh and Rae both work outside the home, both in the medical field, both too hard and each knows pain despite the SCS. I am and have been in the search for work since completely withdrawing from pain meds last August after my June 30 permanent implant. I only use my Boston Scientific Precision Plus SCS unit along with my trusty cushion for pain management. With this as a foundation, I have been working hard as %#*@ via in person networking as I look for work from very early this year. Prospects are now turning into fish on hooks, and I am filled with hope to regain my ability to provide for my family. The unknown is whether once I "land the fish" whether I will be able to sustain the kind of work hours my career demands, and only time will tell. I keep this travel along the path to healing and teh victory of work attained [ when that happens] on my thread about Boston Sci.

I am filled with excitement and have done so much hard work looking for work, that I am in hopes I will be able to sustain the demands of day after day at the job. I'll keep you updated.

Now as to you..... sure, I had fear as I approached SCS, wondering "what if this does not work?" The Trial told me in spades that I wanted the permanent implant as I wanted off of the full regimen of prescribed pain management meds so I could again hold a clear mind. When the victory of withdrawal from all meds came, I began to hope for employment. No, it is not easy in this market finding work, and I relied far too long on the Overly Touted and monetarily wasteful internet job search services as my means to find work. It demoralized me terribly. I felt a failure. Wondered whether I would be able to ever support my family.

Not until I KICKED the internet job search engines into the trash where they belong [oh, by the way..... any of you may QUOTE me on this as you wish] and began to actively, in person, make contact with people I know did hope come back in full force. I started a group in my church for folks who have no job or feel underemployed. We meet everyweek, because job seeking, as demoralizing as it is, can wreak havoc on your psyche unless you have support.... not your family... others in your situation [just like with this SCS forum]. So we share each others' victories, are accountable to each other regarding our efforts to obtain work, back up each other, critique each other on ideas and presentations, while also passing along leads we come across.
NOW I have opportunities being brought my way and my wife and I are actively considering REAL OPPORTUNITIES that lead to work. Almost home, and thankful to God that He tapped me on the shoulder and said "Get off your computer and actively look for work."

I have told a friend new to the church group I mentioned that looking for work will be the hardest job you ever have in your life. You are running your personal sales campaign. You are responsible for regular contacts with network participants to keep that fish net circulating on your behalf. You are responsible for negotiating the deal and then closing the deal. Basically you are running a business the purpose of which is "find a job."

All this in mind, have I been working since I had surgery..... well I guess I have. I have been working to find gainful employment. I come home tired... weary.... I have done my best to sell myself... sometimes the pain otherwise controlled by the stim is over the top, spiking, so I turn up the stim and it usually handles the spike without too much distraction.

The real deal for you Nan will be how your body reacts to the permanent stim, how careful you are about following post surgery instructions, what you find to be your result regarding pain management meds after your stim is functioning fully as your manufacturer patient representative has programmed the unit. For me, the rep sat me in front of a computer and I programmed the unit myself with four separate programs. I am anomalous as a patient, and I have had no need for follow up tweaking because the device has been my God sent deliverance. Many others here have been in for tweaking of the programs. Don't fear it if you need tweaks, they are a means to determine proper device signal needed to manage your pain.

In the meantime though, we are here to help you go through the approach to surgery. Questions for us? Ask away! We will do our best to help.

Caring for your needs Nan,
Mark56 :hug::hug:

now thats encouragement!
 

mark 56 and others, thanks soooo much for sharing with me, cuz as i previously stated, im pretty nervous. im the one that everyone comes to for advice, the down side to that is, when you're in need, everyone assumes "she got that". She's always ok, and strong, and full of faith. Not so easy when its you trying to inspire yourself. Oh by the way, Mark 56, you should be a "Writer", and i do mean that as a compliment.

Aww Nan .. I know how you feel !

I am due at The Hallamshire in Sheffield (UK) on Thursday for my pre op assessment with a view to fitting the trial leads in on the 18th then the full implant on the 20th (May) .. I am getting quite anxious now.

In between all that I have to have a visit from a Doctor from ASOS as I am on Disability Benefit at the moment, a visit to my own doctor, one to a counsellor, a visit to The Northern General in Sheffield .. and a day to bury my step dad. I don't know whether I'm coming or going ..

I've been overdoing things trying to be there for my Mum every day and it's taking it's toll. I'd reduced my pain meds and just made sure I didn't really have much to do in the day to keep the pain at bay, but now will have to go back to Morphine to enable me to keep going for my Mum .. frustrating !

This is a super little site ... everyone is lovely and the support is tremendous! WELCOME! :grouphug:

Dear Nan and Saffy
 

Time draws ever closer for your moment with the professionals. One thing very clear about this community of caring people is that many of us are filled to overflowing with faith, and we have found that God granted grace is well and truly the means to enduring all. Sure, we have our moments of being down, but we pray for one another here, and, given our participation public, you have prayers being lifted up on your behalf from 'round the world.

No one is alone, for all are watched over by He who cares most, then we who follow that call here, pray for you as well.

Prayin,
Mark56:circlelove::Heart::smileypray::grouphug:

Nan
 

Nan I too had two failed spinal fusions...L4/L5 L5/S1 disasterious...anyway I too had the metal removed thinking that was the problem, unfortunately it wasnt. In fact Ive now what is generally known as Failed Back Syndrome. So I know exactly how you are feeling. I too had all the injections, rhizometies, Ketamin infusions all to no avail. As I said previously, the SCS I have, its a St Jude Medical...I like In Ireland too.....it is very good for the awful pain, burning I get in both legs and occasionally it helps my back. Im sure you got good results from your trial to be going forward for the permanent one, so thats a plus, you know what to expect now once its in. I really hope that you will get great relief. People have told me that I dont have the 'drawn' look as much as I used to have before the implant. I too feel more 'relaxed' and I definitely do a lot more than I have done previous to this, and at times of course over do it...but sure dont we all:rolleyes:

I hope you get lots of answers here, I know you will and remember any questions or fears that you have just ask and Im sure you will have a response in moments!!

Take care Nan

Jackie :)

here i go again
 

Thanks for the info Jackiey, how long was it before you were up and movin around? did it take the full 6 weeks as i've been told? your info has really helped me, and do they get you up the day of surgery like they did with the spinal fusions? and last were you able to get off all your meds as some has stated.:D

Nan I was operated on at 3pm and was up to the bathroom at about 2am! I was rather sore and uncomfortable but I really wasnt expecting to be up like that especially after the awful pain of the fusions. Then when I went home, after 2 nights, I did move about but let everyone in the house do everything for me. I went out for the occasional walk to keep myself mobile. I didnt find the pain too uncomfortable. I had my medication and patches also. I couldnt drive for 8 weeks, thats was a bit of a pain, as my daughter had just had her baby and I wanted to be with her all the time. But overall those weeks werent too bad. It really depends on yourself and how you cope with the pain and discomfort. As regards the medication, no I havent gone off all of them. I still rely on my painkillers and anti-inflammatories because I dont get enough relief from the SCS in my back itself. Yes its good for relaxing my legs while I lie on the couch or in bed, but not so much while Im walking etc. But there are posters here who HAVE gone off all medication, Mark in particular. He is remarkable in how he has withdrawn from all medication. Mark had the paddles implanted. Are you having the leads or paddles Nan?

Hope that helps

Jackie :)

im having the leads so i've been told. even if i could get down to half my meds that would be gggggreat. And yes Marks story and progress is wonderful not to mention he's soooo inspirational. He's been a big help during all of this. thanks for the info. Oh yeah, did your meds increase after your surgery or did they pretty much stay the same.

Well apart from my usual ones I was also given two lots of antibiotics and some antihistamines also. I also used some of my lidocaine patches around the incisions. I only started to wean off some of my meds over time but definitely cannot be without them all the time.

Hopefully you too will be able to get rid of, if not all, some of them :)

Hi Nan and Jackie!!
 

Being similar to Jackie in post surgical care AND because I had endured an infection after the Trial surgery, I was prescribed a full two week course of antibiotics following the Permanent Implant. Guess what? No infection on the second go. Since I already had pain management meds, there was no additional pain management med prescription.... I just continued the same until two weeks post surgery when we did the first and only programming of my Boston Scientific unit. Three weeks after I "went live" my physiatrist began to help me wean from the pain management meds.

I understand my story is not exactly like the story of all others, but WOW I feel blessed having this device. Perfect? No. Blessed? Yes.

Caring for y'all,
Mark56:grouphug:

thanks for that
 

ok kool, it sounds as though you had a hiccup or two but yet all and all it was still worth it. This is all very encouraging and keeps me downright optimistic.

Kool:cool:

saffy, i dont know how you feel but my surgery is tuesday morning 7:30am, i hope you and others keep me in your thoughts, cause i'm tryin to stay calm but its getting harder now that i'm down to the wire. I do hope i'll get some real relief and can do atleast a few of things i use to be able to.

Hi Nan!! Fear Not!!
 

For Behold, we look after our own and flood you with prayers, thoughts, care, and concern as we look toward your forthcoming surgery. Tuesday 7:30 am East Coast U.S. time, and we will be on it. OK?

Each according to our human peculiarities do get to return to some of what we used to do before pain overcame our lives when the surgery is successful. This is not to say that all experience and proclaim success, but we do go into it, I think to a person with those pre-surgery jitters you are experiencing. I know I did. "What have I gotten myself into now?!?!?!?!" You know? Of course you do, because you are there. But, then I lay down and prayed and knew SO many others were doing the same for me and a sense of calm overcame me.

The day of surgery, about 10 folks from our church were there at 6am crowding around my prep bed to pray! Now if that isn't cool, I also noticed my prep nurse joining in.

Just give it your best, lay off the aspirin [you should already be doing that] and drink lots of water over the preparatory days to plump your veins [it helps people like PoohAC insert those very special IV lines more easily]. Then get good rest the night before.

Write to us all you want and we will write back with answers, helps, thoughts to the best of our ability. Go for it. That is why we "gather around" and then rest in the assurance from Around the World YOU Are Not Alone.

Prayin,
Mark56:hug::hug:ZZ

Nan .. I'll be thinking of you and sending out positive vibes. I'm going to try to get to my stone circle (7 ladies) which is near me, as I always feel peace and calm when I do.

I feel a lot better having seen the Hospital and had my pre op and checked out the staff and how they manage you. I'm not nervous now at all. Either this will help, or it wont .. but I will give it a good try.

Nan .. sending you smiles x x x

Hi Nan
 

Hi Nan,

It's lovely to hear from you, i too am a newbie to this site I only logged in on Friday and everyone has been so nice to me and the wealth of information and support from these lovely people is really wonderful, there were many days when I was just looking to chat to someone in the same boat as myself and as supportive as my husband and family are it's not the same.

I had my Medtronic SCS implanted in December 2010 and I finally went back to my job two weeks ago. I work in a University as an Administrator so there is a lot of sitting involved and some driving to get there. I guess I'm lucky in my job that I have my own office so if i'm up and down from my chair or lying on the floor during my lunch break when I can and no-one is else will even know. I work two and a half days a week and I plan to build up to full-time if I can.

Before I had the SCS implanted I had spent 4 years in agonising, burning, chronic pain with tons of spasms and I did suffer from some depression.
Thankfully some of the meds my Consultant gave me helped immensely, I was taking some oxy and the Matrifen (Fentynal) patch and some antihistimene as the patch drove my skin mad with the itch.

Before the implant I was nervous checking in but on the grand scale of things I wasn't as nervous as I could have been, i trusted my Dr, he made feel comfortable and together with all the other surgeries I had I felt okay about it all. The hospital staff in the ward and in the theatre were so nice and they helped me relax my giving me a pre-med, I was fine. The surgery for mine was in two parts, the first part they put in the leads and an external box, a lot like the trial. A few days later the Dr put the device part in my abdomen and connected the wires so everything is now inside.
I guess I took me about 6 weeks to get over this initial surgery but I think everyone is different with this, what kept me from returning to work here was I was so exhausted from 4 years of chronic debilitating pain I was too tired to back.
My implant has so far been very successful, I had the scs implanted in my left side of my back for back and leg pain and it has changed my life beyond recognition, gone is the drawn pale tired looking person that was always in pain to someone that is now me! I’m walking two miles a day and doing what I can, I still have a serious amount of pain in my back and right side which needs to be addressed and my Consutant is considering putting in the Navro system in the right side.

It’s good to hear from and you and I look forward to chatting with you again some time.
All the best,

Sophie

to you all...
 

first to sophie, thank you so much for your candid, comments. its funny reading some of the post is like opening a book that someone wrote about my own life. to all the other friends i've made, your support has turned a very scary, lonely, difficult situation into an experience im walking into with optimism, and thats because of the knowledge you all have shared with me. thanks -a- bunch! @--------->-------- a rose for my roses!

Oh how sweet~
 

how very touching!
Indeed - being here puts a great optimistic twist on everything!
I told Mark that it's actually becoming quite 'FUN' to be an SCSer! :p
We all bond so easily....like real family
:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

Rae
:hug::grouphug::hug:

Nan!!
 

Know this, that you are in my prayers and my thoughts as you approach day of surgery. I pray that all will be well and that you may regain MUCH which you have purposely laid aside as pain overcame you.

Reading that INSPIRATIONAL post from Sophie gave much by way of indication illustrating how you, too, may resume some of lost life activity. Many among our SCS family have returned to work, taken up what had been put aside. YOU MAY ALSO find release as you heal. Be full of watchfulness to follow doc's recommendations for healing, ultimately leading to physical therapy to strengthen muscles which have need of use. Expect surgical pain, knowing it will abate, and rather soon. When I compared the post surgical pain of SCS to that of prior fusions, I knew the bounce back would go more easily than with fusion surgery.

Small steps lead to great victories. Allow yourself to conquer that which has held you down one bit at a time. Through this you will avoid overdoing while regaining strength and confidence. It has always been true that while a human may eat an apple casually one small bit at a time, consuming the whole; he who attempts to swallow all in one stuffing motion will die from choking. Healing from surgery and taking those steps returning to your personal measure of wholeness will bear sweet fruit if done one tiny step at a time.

I now sing with the worship team at our church, an activity pain had snatched from me. The face of joy which releases my voice is known by all who worship with us as a new face, no longer drawn by pain, and so many people share the thrill that I have come back.

Prolific writing has burst from me. I cannot contain myself. Joy at being released from pain is something about which I wish to shout praises around this globe. Poetry falls from my fingers inspired of God whom I credit with the invention that has been wholly restorative. Now I have again purchased a guitar, for I at one time wrote much music, and sharing it even for a few will be a joy.

Networking tremendously among my former colleagues may soon propel me to a resumption of my profession..... t'would be nice thusly to help put food on the table. Again, as Sophie has written, colleagues are astonished at the face no longer fixed in pain. I, too, was known as one who worked from the floor, lying there as pain overwhelmed before the trek of surgeries commenced. I was the ominous voice heard from the floor of a corporate boardroom, or the floor during depositions because it was only the floor where I could comfortably work. Now, I anticipate a chair may once again bear my weight once I secure work.

Oh, and guess what..... last fall, my wife purchased a new mountain bike for me to resume my rides which used to be 12 miles per day. So, while I may no longer slice beautiful s curves down a slalom slope and may not take up a back pack for miles of hikes into wilderness terrain there is much of life that I am now tasting anew. For you, this is my prayer. Look beyond surgery to striding toward your personal goals of recapturing life.

We are all capable according to our injury, illness, determination, and drive. I know I have it, and want to welcome you into the world where pain can be managed at least in great part by this miracle we know to be Spinal Cord Stimulation.

Praying blessings upon you,
Mark56:hug:ZZ

I'm Back!
 

Guys, i made it through...yes i'm sore, like for real. Everything i was told was true. although i have a ways to go, just wanted to thank everyone for all the support, and i'll be posting again as i can. "i did it!":p



Big Hugs, NAN!!!

Hurrah for NAN
 

:yahoo::You-Rock:Welcome to a new member of the SCSers, referred, as I recall by Rrae, as the Buzzers!! It used to be a bit more colorful, but we recognized the buzzers [well and with the Navro non-buzzing device] that some buzzers are located in the hip, some in the abdomen, some higher on the chest wall, so color lapsed to Buzzers. At any rate, WELCOME:welcome_sign::Heart::You-Rock::yahoo::circlelove:

Rrae has all of the BETTER smilies in her magical left pocket, so when she hops on here you may expect something way over the rainbow from her!

May your healing go well, splendidly in fact,
Mark56 :hug::hug::hug::hug:gently

Hi Nan,
I got your PM, so happy everything went well for you, in a few days you'll start to feel the benefit of your SCS and the surgical pain will ease, just take your meds, no point being a hero!
Take care of yourself and let your husband and family spoil you for a while with breakfast in bed and what not.

So happy for you.

Sinéad (Sophie) xxx :)

Yayyy! Positive thoughts for you Nan x x x x :hug:

Day 3!
 

Well, Nan, you're on day number 3! Just letting you know I've been thinkin bout you and hopin you're doin ok!
I layed on ice for the 1st 2 or 3 days, and it should get easier from here on out.

.....have I nagged at you about one of those reacher/grabber thingy's?
That should be No. 11 in the Book of Commandments, as far as I'm concerned. :p

Rae
:hug:

Hi Nan, how are you getting on? I was just thinking of you.
I hope all is ok and you are now beginning to feel the benefits of your buzzing implant, is it working ok for you? The surgical pain is still there & it will for a while, but I hope you're feeling better,

Best wishes

Sinead xxxx :)

still kickin...
 

hey peeps, lying here in bed listening to the inviting sound of my husbands "love call", better known as snoring, (lol). Just wanting you all to know i'm hanging in there while trying to stay focused and positive. I'm going to change my nickname to Energizer Bunny, cause i keep going and going and going. Let me know what yall think. Ok, its no picnic being dependant upon others, even when they don't mind. My family is being wonderful, caring and supportive, its MY OWN HANG UP, but i like doing for myself, and right now i'm totally needy. YOU ARE UP TO DATE...:) That's all Folks!

Too much! :ROTFLMAO:
Nan, I see that your husband and mine have gone to the same institute majoring in the art of Honorary Love-Calling. :D
Mine even got the highest academic achievement for the gifted prodigy, as he carries the unmatched ability to simulate a BUZZSAW :eek: :thud:

Rrae, my hubby snores so loud, i could do an extensive examination of his tonsils, "Say Aww", i mean it gets pretty loud n bad. Oh, if it wasn't for love. :p

Hi Nan, Hi Rae,
My wondeful hubby is exactly the same, keeps me awake way too much.
Nan, I was exactly the same as you, am the same as you, I like to do stuff for myself too, even stuff I shouldn't do, thankfully I have loads of family help and i'd rarely just ask them for help.
Good to hear you are recovering from your surgery, take your time...

take care,

Sinéad xxx

a quick update...
 

i am still hanging in there, this last few days has enabled me to take short walks in my driveway accompanied by family, 2 outdoor excursions with minimal difficulties, and a great brunch with my hubby. i am being extremely cautious 'cause it is easy to forget our core rules for recovery. everyday as i feel a lil stronger, i also feel a lot of numbness in back and side, wierd annoying twinges, even mild spasms in my legs, and post op pain near both incisions. it aint all green grass, wine and roses, but i'm gettin there..."slow n steady".
thanks my peeps. :)

Hello Energizer Bunny
 

So.... you are up and walking.... that is good, very good. Time will produce more and more of the Energizer effect..... so would you like a bass drum to beat as you Energize around on your walks?:D

Moderation is good, overdoing it has consequences only your body can teach you. Be good to thyself, Energizer Bunny.

Mark56:grouphug:

2 weeks
 

oh you are soooo right. even a few extra steps here or there and you pay. it has now been 2 weeks, i'm feelin' better, stronger, faster. i know though that this its a process and too much too soon will set you back. my daughter has returned home now so days are just me and me dog. he watches over me as close as my kids and hubby. my twinges of pain come and go but with no real consistency, i think my body is just trying to sort things out. i will continue to move forward, slow and steady and thanks you guys for the wealth of information, because of you, nothing caught me by surprise. Nan b.K.a "E.B" :wink: