Trial started :)
 

Hi everyone! I'm home resting after trial implant. My left side went pretty well, but I guess the prior fusion area gave my doctor a bit of trouble, and me alot of pain getting the leads inserted, and had to push on my back numerous times. I'm pretty sore, but I'm glad its in, and bussing away. There is only one program that covers the left side well. I'll share more when I am at my computer. Thank you for the prayers and support. :)

Go Viv
 

Give that insertion soreness a couple of days to abate, and if you were prescribed any additional pain med, do remember what your doc said about staying on top of pain. Prayin here regarding the progression of your Trial and that you can surely determine whether the stim is a viable pain management tool!!!

Hopes up here,
Mark56:grouphug:

Your trial
 

Hi Viv,

I bet you're happy to have it over, well relieved I'd say, hopefully it will work for you now. Like Mark said you're going to be sore at the insertion point, it would be unusual not to have some soreness.

Let us know how you get on over the next couple of days.

All the best

Sinéad :) xxxx

Take it easy !! I only had a one day trial .. I wish I'd had longer to be honest.

Good luck with it!
 

Great to hear you are buzzing away :D..... I hope it works well for you and that you benefit greatly !

Keep us posted ;)

Jackie:hug:

Hope it works for you, Vivster!

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/m...rs-crossed.gif

Go VIV!
 

Wishing you the best! This is the big moment you've been waiting for so long! I hope you have several days to take it easy and play around with the settings.
My 1st couple of days seemed strange and I was still in a twilight 'daze' so to speak, but by day 3 I realized I was in love!

Take it easy and get the rest you need, but also do some small tasks around the house so you can get an idea if moving around and being in different positions affects your stimulation.

:hug: Rae :hug:

24 hour review
 

Hi everyone :) your kind words help so much. I'm still enjoying my little buzzing friend. The insertion site is sore still... And daughters are watching some spotting. I did a little personal hygiene,that worked out good. So glad it isn't summer time and hot with humidity. Ha I took a couple walks around the block with my dog, and had a chance to feel the stim cover the leg pain. I am meeting the rep tomorrow at 1 pm to play with the programs. Hopefully will find more coverage of burn in low back. All systems go. :)

I'm glad things are going ok for you and that you're trying out some things like walking while you have the trial, because that's really important. I took full advantage of my trial time from the first day but that's my personality, and I probably wouldn't recommend so much activity ;) I would go with what the others say and take it easy, but still try to do some things to see how the stim works while you're doing them. It also helped me a lot to keep a pain diary so I knew just how much the stim was helping.

Hope that the meeting with your rep goes well tomorrow and that you're able to get more coverage with your programs!

Walking is Good
 

Dear Vivster!!!

What good news you are able to take a bit of a walk and notice the benefit of the stim although there is still a bit of insertion point irritation. Be good to yourself.... walking is good. Remember BLAST as you walk. Try not to schedule a tennis match this week :D even though you may be tempted to do so. Keep a journal of those experiences you note so you are able quickly and reliably with demonstrative evidence to report back to your doc and rep.

Lastly, know that I am prayin for ya,
Mark56:grouphug:

Dear Vivster

Good luck with the trial. Hope it brings you some relief. Keep us up to date if you can.

Sandy Kay:grouphug:

You're buzzing away :)
 

Hi Viv

I'm so happy you are getting some sense how your stim is works for you and I hope your trial is long enough that you do get some relief.

I'm happy for you;

Sinéad :) xxxx

Day 5 is better :)
 

Today seems to be the best day to see how I can do more actions. I came to work yesterday for a few hours, but just decided to go home, as everone wanted to talk and look at my "box". ha Today I've been here since five hours, and it has been pretty tolerable. I've reduced the meds quite a bit, and have seen how the stim helps me move around my desk, and SIT in my chair without being obsessed with pain. Was able to have a couple more programs added, and I really found one that helps with the lower back burning and "broken" feeling. (I really don't think I fused properly - but can't get a firm "yes" from anyone).
I can see how this truly will give me an opportunity to do more - and it's amazing! I'm ready to do some dancing, but the reps told me to hold off for now. :D Will have the weekend and Monday left, with the leads to be removed on Tuesday - 11/8. Got a hair wash and cut scheduled for this evening!! YaY :Crazy 2: My hair is stuck flat on my head today. It's all worth it though. Hope all are having a great day!
Vivian

Thank you for this update Vivster! I am thrilled to see that you are doing this well! The surgical pain should subside soon.
How amazing that they found a program to help with the back pain as well! I suffer some pretty horrid pain flares and spasms in my lower back and I know how this affects sitting at a deskjob. It's an added bonus that you'll get some relief from this!

So happy for you!
Mark, should we put on a cyber-dance in Viv's honor?! :D

I'm so happy for you that your SCS is working and that you're noticing all the positive differences in your life! It's such a fantastic feeling- enjoy the rest of your trial!!

Viv!!!!!!!!
 

How Thrilled am I : o )

You are doin it girl!!!! So, Rae had a good idea, and we are gonna throw a dance in your honor. Cleo is warming up the Sax, I the Guitar, our two oldest sons, the piano, the drums, the bass, and the lead guitar, and Rae plays a mean guitar too, we can even get Joan on both UKE and Mandolin!!! Come on down to the dance.... I think I can Hear the MUSIC NOW... I get to be on your dance card, yes?

CARING,
Mark:grouphug:

I can hear you all setting up for a great dance party.

Hope to hear the UK as I'm grounded in Hawaii with ear infections and can't fly home. I've seen the Dr 3X in the past 4 days. He says my ear drum will burst. Can't really complain it is Hawaii! Hopefully I will be able to fly home on Sunday. I will see the Dr at 8am and my flight is at 10:30........
:Sick:

Sandy

Ouch with a blessing
 

Well, Sandy, sorry about your so much about those ear infections..... but at least you are at sea level in a paradise......

Yup,
Mark56:hug:zzzz

I'll start up with a Tarantella on my mandolin, and here's Tigger and Piglet dancing cause they're so happy for you:

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/m...ra/tigger2.gif

We can do a Hula later if you want!

[QUOTE=JoanB;822203]I'll start up with a Tarantella on my mandolin, and here's Tigger and Piglet dancing cause they're so happy for you:

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/m...ra/tigger2.gif

We can do a Hula later if you want![/QUO


I'm on the Virtual dance floor with everyone. my trial has been a true miracle!!! I'm going to miss my buzzer, as it comes out tomorrow. But, will be giving everyone an update. I'm smiling from ear to ear!

Yay Viv!!
 

Funny, I posted behind Pooh on a thread, telling her she should be able to hear the virtual "noise" coming from the barn as we are all dancing there! She did not peep,,,,, or take the bait,,,,, could be because the ice was too thin on the poind so our "virtual" cars fell through.....Oops. Oh my, Rae lives close enough she probably drove her for real car up to Nowhere.... sorry Rae!

Well, as Paul Harvey would say, "Page Two" - on the Vivster Trial front we learn of a wholly successful trial SCS. She reports grin fron ear to ear.... isnt's that more like the Cheshire Cat? Well, anyway, we are truly thrilled for you Viv, and hope the wait is not too long. It is definitely worth it, nevertheless.

Prayin,
Mark56:hug:zzzzz

Today is the end of my trial
 

This morning is my appointment to have the leads removed. :) My two girls will be accompanying me to my appointment.
The rep will also be there. I found new excitement about doing simple things again. Guess I didn't totally realize how engulfed in the monster I was -- and how freeing my little buzzing friend is!
Will be back soon :)

Good luck
 

Hi Vivster :)

Wishing you the very best of luck with today! I hope you wont have to wait too long for the implant as it sounds as if you certainly have had a fantastic trial. Im so pleased for you!

Take care

Jackie :)

thank you Jackiey
 

Yes - I do hope for a permanent installation soon! The appointment went well today, with my two daughters accompanying me. The doctor stated that patients usually get 70-80% pain relief, and reminded me that this is not a cure, only a tool. One more tool in the aresenal is fine with me.
The pain has come back as I'm back at work today.
I was amazed how the stim provided relief to my knees and ankles as well. I didn't know that the lower joint pain was nerve related. I just thought it was arthritis or gravity.
Glad I have time to read some of your posts - thank you for all your prayers during this time. I lift this forum up every day. :)

Soon Viv, Soon
 

And FIRST and FOREMOST Viv, thank you for your prayers for this forum and its inhabitants. This demonstrates a deep and abiding care within you as part of your outreach, a VERY REAL important step in the process of healing and managing your pain with the new tool of SCS.

You remain in my prayers,
Mark56:hug:zzzzzzzzzzzz

I never had a trial implant of mine, apparently it is new to the UK, and does back and leg pain together. Mine was implanted last week and was a permanent install. First impressions are mixed but overall pretty good and I am able to get about a bit better now.
Next week I go for my "programming" and will be able to discuss it more with my nurse and have a play with it.

Viv, the waiting in between was hard for me, having something that helps and then having it taken away from you. But you seem to have a great positive attitude about it, so hopefully that will help you through the wait and you'll get your surgery date scheduled very soon. And now you know you have a light at the end of the tunnel, and that thought is filled with hope!

ford29, welcome!! I'm glad you joined and I look forward to hearing more about your experience! :)

I'm so happy that your trial went well, Vivster!

Welcome, ford!:Wave-Hello:

Hi Ford!
 

It's great to have you, thanks for sharing!
As the surgical pain lifts, it'll be easier to decifer where you are getting stimulation. I'm impressed you were able to get the permanent unit right away.
Keep us posted!

Rae

:grouphug: