SCS Trial- How it went...
 

Well, it's day one of my SCS trial and it went shockingly well! This time (as opposed to other procedures at same facility) the nurse anesthetist was AMAZING, they (yes I had two all to myself!) did their job perfectly, and I hardly even remember most of the surgery. My rep is great. and all in all I don't think the surgery could have gone much better!

The only issue I had was a moderate headache post-op for which they asked me what I'd prefer (they offered me percocet, but I requested Vicodin instead, as it seems to work better for me, which it did. They gave me two and it cleared it right up! Then after all of the discussions with the Medtronic rep, my dad and I dropped off my Rx at Walgreens and had breakfast at McDonalds next door, that's how good I felt!

I'm now getting some back soreness, but nothing too major. I'm really shocked about how minor it is! I feel so blessed, and am thankful to all of you for your prayers, as I'm sure they played a roll in this working out so well. :grouphug:

And as for the SCS...So far, I LOVE IT!!! :D


~Colleen

Hoot! Hoot!
 

PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!! :Head-Spin::Head-Spin:
Is this FANTASTIC or WHAT!!??

I am so very happy for you Colleen!
Now take it easy on yourself, at least for the 1st day or so.
ICE!
It'll be so exciting once you are up and around, doing things in your house, or even going out! I remember how thrilled I was when I first started messing around with my settings. I felt as tho a little door from Heaven opened for me!

How many days will you be doing the trial?

:hug: Rae :hug:

BRAVO!!!!! May the good fortune and blessings continue. So glad you don't remember much. I was certainly awake for all of mine but I'm a bit of a tough old war horse. It only makes sense that there is some residual soreness from running the needle but it goes away quickly. It was nothing compared to the relief I was getting from the sciatica. Now behave yourself and don't do anything that might compromise this blessing. Hugz :hug:

Wonderful news Colleen!!! I am soooo happy for you! I hope it continues to go this well for you. Take care of yourself!!

Keep us posted on your progress!
Nanc
:hug:

Well HEY Colleen!!!
 

Wondrous news!!! A blessing indeed!!
Yep, as Rae suggested cold stuff, and I have used those blue gel packs from the freezer for just such a need. Helps manage the discomfort until it abates, which for trial is usually fairly quickly.
Will be praying all goes well,
Mark56:):D:hug::grouphug:

So happy for you
 

YAY!! :D

Ashley:grouphug:

Wonderful
 

Colleen fantastic news that all went well for you and that you don't remember too much either :D

Now go and play with it and get all the benefits and hopefully you will get such relief that the next step is the permanent one.

Jackie :hug:

wonderful news
 

Celebration :Popcorn::Trapeze 2::You-Rock:

So so happy for you

Now go rest another day before...yes just one more..

Glory to God!!!

Rae...
 

Rae- I will have the trial for seven days. That's the good news. The bad news is I woke up this morning in lots of pain! My back is sore from the procedure (obviously) and I've realized that the SCS isn't covering all it needs to. And I'm nervous that I'm just sore from sleeping funny or if it's the SCS placement issue....

But it def needs to be reprogrammed... it's buzzing where it shouldn't be (i.e. between the legs :eek: ) Luckily it's not painful, just uncomfortable.

I have an appt tomorrow to reprogram my temp SCS and I'm just hopeful that all will work out well in the end. :)

Here's hoping...

~Colleen

Colleen :)
 

Colleen....wait until you get to your appointment and see how that goes, these I bet are teething problems.......Im sure that it will be sorted out and then you can judge it properly...I do hope so....because you WILL benefit when it works properly:hug:

I have 9 programs on mine. I use three. 1 constant, one soft for sleep, and one cycling. I have others that are uncomfortable sensations in a couple, so I just bypass those. Harder in the trial since you don't have as many to choose from though. I hope things get better soon!! Mine works great since revision!

Reprogramming = Success!
 

Hey everyone! So I just wanted to let you know that my appt today for the reprogramming of my trial SCS went great! The Medtronic rep was SO patient with me and worked miracles with the unit... today I took TWO pain pills! That's down from 6-7! AND I went out to dinner with my dad and step-mom. It was great... My P.A. came in when I was working with the Medtronic Rep and I was actually receiving about 75% pain relief right on the spot, and she was shocked-looking and exclaimed "It's so great to see you smiling!" (because, of course, usually when I see her I'm in pain, so she doesn't see me smiling often).

Anyway, this has me ecstatic for the permanent stim. Although I know the recovery is much longer and more serious, I know this is my solution! Not 100%, but of course, that wouldn't be appropriate to expect, either. I'm very happy with the approx 75% reduction (at least!)... I still have half of my trial to go, so let's just hope it keeps up this pace! :D

Thanks to you all for your prayers and well-wishes, I know they are what have helped get me here!!! :grouphug:

~Colleen :)

Great news! I was about in tears when my trial was about done. So enjoy your weekend!

Happy tears or sad tears?
 

When you say you were in tears when your trial was done... happy tears because it worked, or sad tears because it didn't..?

~Colleen

Isn't it Good?
 

That blessing we feel during Trial if the therapy is going to work? I was in tears when I realized it worked so very well, then was filled not with tears, but severe trepidation when I KNEW the pain would be back after the Trial was removed.

Doc told me it was good I did show up, not only because the stim ports were infected.... but because otherwise an arrest warrant would have been sworn out for me for theft of the unit.... darn.

Colleen, I am so thrilled for you it has gone quite well.
Prayin yet,
Mark56:hug::grouphug:

trial results
 

:D:D:D Oh we are all smiling with you Colleen :D:D:D:D:D:D

You took me right back to my trial week..actually 5 days and I did cry when they took it out and I hugged the surgeon.

the hope of relief.......... from the debilitating pain that was stripping my life energy...was now a knowing ....Estatic...yes that is the word!!

Go slow...go easy ...:deadhorse:

Johanna

Good Job Johanna
 

And I don't think I ever used that smiley :deadhorse: Do you think there should be flies circling it?

Seriously though, taking it easy is a good recommendation, while also making sufficient use of the device to ensure the Trial illustrates its breadth of possibility. :deadhorse: is appropriate..... with all due care, use that hummer.... or buzzer to its potential learning all range of its benefit.

In great HOPE,
Agape,
Mark56:grouphug::Heart::circlelove:

and that operative word of course is HOPE
extending the same

my job on this board
 

[QUOTE=Mark56;935817]And I don't think I ever used that smiley :deadhorse: Do you think there should be flies circling it?

oh I have been waiting to use it too!!!

oh yes..flies...LOL

and this one too :deadhorsebeat:

Jo*

Yeeeeee-hawwww!!!!
 

Lol mark! I too, did not want to return mine!! I'm glad it's working for you. I'm not sure if you're a crps chickie or not, but my perm gives me 85-90 relief in my legs. Very few pain meds!! Bad news is I have it in right arm. They think I have back spread but I am ignoring that theory lol. I'm glad You're doing great. Recovery is worth it!!!

TK

:hug::D

[QUOTE=Hannabananna;935937]loving it!!!

Sad because it was coming out. Sorry for not being clear.

Dean

That I understand Dean
 

Approaching the end of Trial removal is definitely a torror eposonde for any who have been served well by the SCS therapy. I felt as though I was travelling to my doom as I was driven that day to the appointment to remove the Trial..... even thorugh the Trial had resulted in puss filled infection at the entry points to my spine.

I am so sorry for the feeling you mention Dean,
Mark56:hug:

Scs
 

Hi Colleen,
I'm new on here and wanted to share a few thoughts about my SCS.
I'm 38 and have experienced extremely painful for peripheral neuropathy for some time, going on 12 years. About a year ago I had the spinal cord stimulator installed permanently in my back for the neuropathy. I was very hopeful, especially during the trial. I'm not having luck with the device at this point. I'm following up with the company now. Do you have burning neuropathy, on foot soles? I'm very hopeful for you!!!
Matt

Yuppers!
 

Actually I told the dr about crying and she was upset and asked why. I stated: because it worked so good!

Matt...
 

Hi Matt!

I actually have CRPS/RSD in my L foot which spread to my L leg and R leg... But that does equate to burning neuropathy basically in my foot, just not "peripheral neuropathy" diagnosis. If that makes sense...

I hope your SCS will work for your after some "tweaking" from your company rep! I know that for my trial, after seeing my rep for the second time (the first being during surgery), my pain management increased by approx 50%! So I'm at now at least at 75% pain reduction! Whereas before seeing her to get it adjusted I honestly worried if maybe this wouldn't really work for me... So I hope you have to same great experience when you see your company rep, hopefully they can get yours working well for you!!! I'll be praying for you! :grouphug:

Anyway, I'll keep posting with my updates, but for now things are still great... with the exception of the tape COVERING my entire back, from top to bottom, side to side, and it ITCHES! but I can live with it for the pain relief I'm getting :D

As always, thank you for all of your prayers, as you all remain in mine!

~Colleen :)

Tears of joy
 

Believe me, after over 3 decades of dealing with chronic pain I have shed many tears of joy at finally getting not only an accurate diagnosis (something that eluded every doctor that's ever taken a shot at trying to figure it out) but also significant relief. For me it's an answer to a prayer that, quite frankly, I had stopped praying for relief. I had truly accepted that this was my 'cross to carry' and I was in good spirits about it. In fact very few around me that knew me in a casual way (e.g. coworkers) knew I was dealing with pain...I hid it quite well most of the time.

Wonderful Encouragement Colleen!
 

OH PLEASE DO continue with regular updates and sharing regarding your walk, for in the sharing the knowledge base here becomes more so enhanced and we ALL Learn. Thank you Colleen for your bravery and steadfast resolve to help all find best solutions through what you learn personally.
YOU ROCK :You-Rock:
Uh huh,
Yup,
Prayin as you follow the path,
Mark56:hug::grouphug:

Tears of Joy Worth The Sharing
 

OH YEAH Yee Haw Andy! Your tears are definitely worth the sharing, for in the sharing, gratitude ooozessss from your every pore in testament you know whence your delivery came. Life with effective non-medicinal pain management.... what a sure and providential blessing. Thank you for sharing your vulnerability to expressing through tears of joy the blessing.
Prayin thanksgiving,
Mark56:hug::grouphug:

WELCOME Matt!!!
 

:welcome_sign:Please stay and dwell with us sharing your thoughts, experience, what unfolds. Colleen gives great encouragement regarding "take it to the rep" to work toward possible resolution by tweak or revision. If the Trial was indicative of a definite go, there has to be something which cries out for addressing to help you realize the benefit indicated by the Trial.

Thank you for joining the discussion here, and do please feel welcomed :welcome_sign::Good-Post: among this group which cares and CARRIES gently the concerns, needs, and emotions of each who need prayer and support. You are valued and we want to heap blessings upon you,
Prayin ever,
Mark56:grouphug:

Hi Matt!
 

Yes, WELCOME aboard! Your input is greatly appreciated.
I'm sorry you are having this trouble with your unit. Please keep us updated on how this goes for you. We CARE!

Rae
:hug:

Colleen!
 

Your trial is thrilling the heck outta us!! I've been absent for a coupla days and look at all these posts I've missed!
I know this can be a bit of a rollercoaster, with the excitement one day, pain the next, uncertaintly the next, discouragement the next, and the pure elation after having been tweeked and seeing that this thing WILL work out afterall!

Regarding the end of the trial, yes, this is probably when you'll need an outpouring of support the most, as it is definately a downer.

Has Mark mentioned the bit about how the law enforcement have been called in on some occasions because the patient refused to give the trial unit back! Am I right on this Mark?
I found that to be very intriguing.

Rae
:grouphug:

Yup- Depity Dawg and Barney Fife
 

You see, the Trial unit is owned by the manufacturer, as distinguished with the permanently implanted product. For this reason, if a patient enjoys wearing tape all over the body to hold things in place while receiving wondrous results and think they will get outa Dodge...... then a bench warrant for arrest is issued to bring the erstwhile "thief" into custody.

And that's the way it is,
Mark56;)

Medtronic Fugitive...
 

Mark... That is so funny! but when I think about it, it's understandable, as I do NOT want to give mine back! But then again, the tape is KILLING me (it itches!!! but as my P.A. pointed out- at least it's not summer, and I'm not sweating under it!).

Anyways, I also have an aunt that works for Medtronic- (the same brand temp SCS as yours truly has), so I'm not sure that I'd make it long on the run from them! lol.. Although I am surely saddened at the thought of giving it back. :(

However, I must force myself to look to the future, forward towards the permanent implant, which will, of course, be sans tape! Yay for that! Must focus on the positive!

~Colleen :)

Daa's RIGHT.....focus!

What does your Aunt do for Medtronic? Is she in customer service, or is she an actual Rep?
Just curious, as this is my brand also :p

Rae
:grouphug:

:hug:Well Hey Colleen, ya know....... ifn you did do the fugitive justice thing..... maybe we would eventually see you on Cold Case Files..... and there would be this sorta pathetic long blond haired dude strutting mean and playin like he would come after you and hoist you up with his bounty hunter claws to take the unit away with his tow truck..... :D

Truly, that couple of weeks will pass and your permanent should be able to be scheduled, while in the meantime you can have auntie see whether there is a friends and family plan to provide a discount.:) Of course, if there was, you would become VERY popular over night....:D

Oh, and about summertime, when the temperture swelters, kids were jumpin, and my back was so wet...... I had infection, and my body was pus-eee, so be very happy, you have tape in late autumn time..... [Sing it to Summertime].
Yeah, mine was in June, and I think it could have been that perspiration which led to the infection which developed on my back. Awful.

Prayin you get the perm soon,
Mark56:hug::grouphug:

See Colleen.....?
 

Yup :D questions about discounts, miles, S&H Green Stamps [Oh, you are too young to know what those are.....:( ] sigh......... popular....... people knocking at your door ;) next thing you know, you will be on the cover of People magazine :cool: .
Uh huh,
Mark56:eek:

thanks again for the belly laugh
S&H STAMPS
loved it being i did the shopping
for my mom
i would love to get gifts
and the products were nice
belly laugh
thanks
wishing all well at the home front
and sooooooooo happy to hear
positive SCS reports

your friend
to a wise man
someone who cares