What to expect..??
 

Hi all!

I trust all of you so much, and thus I am looking for your help...

As I mentioned in another thread, my permanent SCS implant is scheduled for Dec. 27th... I am extremely excited, especially because I'm in a time crunch before my ins runs out (before I "age out" of my Dad's ins), but I'm also very nervous as I don't really know what to expect as far as recovery...

Can you guys share what you experienced as to recovery, pleeease?? I am just so nervous that I'm going to wake up in unbearable pain that lasts for weeks... Also, I am getting help from my mom with Dog care (she is going to take my pup for a while to help out, as he likes to hide under the couch, etc, where I wont be able to get at him after surgery), but I'd like to stay at home... Is this an okay idea? or should I plan to stay at my Dad's for a while? (as I did during my trial stim, but it was just not the best time, but the option is there if need be).

Thanks so much for the advice! :grouphug:

~Colleen

Hi, good luck to you as your date approaches! I think in the beginning it is a good idea to stay with someone or have someone stay with you, maybe at least for a week? I have had 2 SCS implants and a revision and every time for the first couple days I have had trouble even getting up off of the couch on my own and needed someone to help pull me up. There will be a lot of pain in the beginning, so take your pain meds and rest a lot. Are you staying overnight in the hospital or doing the surgery outpatient? My cervical implant recovery was much harder than my thoracic one. With the stim for my legs, I was back to college classes after a week, still in a good deal of pain but at least able to sit through classes, but after the stim for my wrist there was no way I could have been back after just a week (thankfully I had that one done in the summer). Remember to BLAST, of course. Like I said, there definitely will be quite a lot of pain initially since they are putting objects inside your body, but it will subside and you'll be feeling so much great relief from the stim that it'll all be ok :)

Thanks!
 

Thanks for the input! I'm just going in as an outpatient... which to be honest has me a little bit more nervous about the whole thing... :(

Yeah, I stayed overnight for both of mine and while I was a bit annoyed by it at first, it ended up being a good thing since I was able to have a pain pump to control my pain those first 24 hours. Just don't let them kick you out of post-op before you're ready to go home, though! Take it very easy and slow at home and really stay on top of the pain meds. I hope you don't have too long of a car ride home, but bringing pillows with you to cushion your back for the ride helps!

Yellow-

Did you have to have a laminectomy? I don't think I'm having one... So maybe that's the difference as to why I'm not staying overnight?

~Colleen

Yay Yellow
 

Right on Yellow!! AND, glad to see you are on the keyboard!

Good one indeed!
HUgZ :hug::grouphug:
Mark56

Hurt
 

Hi Colleen. This response is entitled HURT and not AGONY for a good reason.... there was a HUGE difference between the AGONY of fusion of the spine compared with the HURT of the laminectomy and implant I experienced on 10 June 10 in a "get here early and GO HOME" Long day at the hospital surgical center.

We started at 3 that morning and were home by 6:30 that evening. I DID HURT. That is why I was issued Vicodin on top of the morphine and neurontin already being taken for pain management at the time among other stuff.

YES, had a laminectomy and Still went home same day. Found out our own bed was NO MORE COMFORTABLE than the hospital bed...... this is because I HURT.... did I mention that yet?

I did not have to have the two foot height extender on the toilet because I did not have agony as was the case after fusion. So there! That was a major positive thing.

Getting in and out of bed for the first four days was HURT LOTS!!!! I used BLAST [no bending, lifting, stretching, twisting for the first many weeks.
Getting into and out of bed I used LOGROLL. It works Great! If you want, I will describe it to you for Christmas...

You will survive this even if you do HURT, because it is far less intense than the fusion was..... trust me.

Don't go play volleyball the same day as the surgery or afterward either unless Doc says they trussed you up like a turkey and nothing could possibly break...... Still, I would not trust such a comment and would take it easy.

You will be OK
You will be fine
[this is a cheer...... can you see me doing the splits?]
Mark56:):hug::grouphug:

Colleen
 

I was in hospital for 3 days when I had my SCS implanted I have the leads.

I too had spinal fusions and BOY did they hurt I was in AGONY!!!! that was the worst pain of my life.....

So you can imagine when I was having the SCS I was so nervous that it was going to be the same pain and agony of the fusions.....BUT!!! NOPE!!! IT WASNT!!!!!

I was expecting the worst I reallly was, and had myself all prepared for the agony of not being able to MOVE in the bed.

Now dont get me wrong, yes it did hurt, (as Mark mentions) it wasnt a walk in the park, but it was NOTHING like the pain I had from spine surgery!!!

It was stiff and it was sore....I was given painkillers and antibiotics also to ward off infection from a 'foreign' body in my body.

I remembered how to log roll from my days of surgery on my back so I made sure I followed all that I was told. Not to bend, lift, raise arms over my head etc....... and generally took it easy. I was told not to do anything for 6 weeks...I had to go in twice weekly for my wounds to be checked out and also to have my stitches removed. Dr kept a close eye on me for fear of infection which thankfullly I didnt have any issues with :)

Dont be too afraid of what the pain is like after its done.......you will be fine and you will be SO happy with the final results.....

The very best of luck to you Colleen :)

Jackie :hug:

Perfectamundo
 

Jackie takes top honors!!:winner_first_h4h:

Colleen, I only have the percutaneous leads with no laminectomy as well. But each hospital has different policies, I suppose. Like I said, though, just don't let them kick you out of the post-op until you're ready!

I just erased my whole reply and it's hard for me to type.

I agree with everyone. The hardest thing for me was feeling so good and remembering not to bend and stretch!

Mine worked so well I'm hoping for a trial for my hands. Going to the dr. Wednesday.

Hope this helps!

TK

:hug:

Awwww TK
 

Doncha just Hate it when the well written reply blasts into never never land? I have had that happen because I am a klutz on the keyboard.

Hey, if this can be a benefit for your hand issues, then go for a Trial! You never know without trying!

Prayin,
Merry Christmas!:hug:
Mark56

to all who have the COURAGE
as i am tapped out
the two failed excruciating
pain unlike anything
giving birth to 4 children
a piece of cake
remember my surgery
began with problems before
going under
2 level cervical 5/6 and 6/7
do not go on my story
keep you Faith all will be
well
i guess i want to say how proud i am
to those who have the strength to
do it
keep up the great job

someone who cares

Colleen...
 

Thinkin of you as your one week date approaches. :hug:
The others here have said it so well. Each person's experience is unique, yet it's pretty unanimous that the first few days are gonna be a bit rough. Try not to let fear set in. Rather, face it boldly and remain confident that this procedure is something that will allow for you to have a quality of life again. Your surgeon has done many of these and your Rep will be right there with you.

I recall feeling a bit 'overwhelmed' at first when I came out of OR and the Rep was trying to explain the unit and controller to me. I was still kind of 'out of it' from the twilight daze and wasn't comprehending very well. I was very grateful for my husband to be right there to help explain what the Rep was saying.
You will have support from your loved ones who are there with you. Let them do things for you as you recoup. The surgical pain lets up a bit more every day and the excitement of having this unit really starts to set in.

You are in my prayers, my friend.
Caring Always,
Rae
:hug:

well said
 

Rae hit many of the highlights of this experience.
I was alone and it was not a good thing..
My thought sand prayers are all around you
Johanna