Is this a failure?
 

I have a question.....I had my permanent SCS April 16, programmed one week later. At first, I couldn't use it much because it hurt the lower incision. Then, I was feeling sick all the time and realized the nausea went away when I turned it off. Then the whole infection thing, which is feeling better, by the way.

I turned it on again a few times just to test the theory....nauseous every time! And since I would rather have pain than nausea, I've kept it off for the most part. This sucks! I don't want to have gone through all of this for nothing!

Those of you that have had failure, what exactly happened? Am I ever going to be able to use this?

Sigh.....

oh jeez,
please do not give up
this is not because
failure is the issue
give it time
many should be chiming
in soon
God is with you
peace be with you

someone who cares

I seem
 

to remember reading about a lead migrating and it's landing position caused nausea when turned on...NOT saying this is what is going on...

I am sure some ideas on the way...have you called your rep?

No...
 

I have not contacted my rep yet. I wanted to give it some time, but I guess I should be giving him a call. I just tried again last night and to be honest, it makes me queasy just thinking about turning it on now.

I really hope nothing has migrated. Do they X-ray to figure that out?

Thanks for any and all help!

Hi Kymmie! Sorry you are having problems! You should call your doctor, if your leads have migrated they will be able to see it in an x-ray. The reps should try to reprogram your stimulator. I would get nauseous when mine stimulated my stomach, they reprogrammed it and that fixed it. I sure hope you nausea is something that can be easily fixed!

Wishing you the best,
Nanc
:hug:

Where are you implanted? When I was at T8 I had stomach issues and nausea like crazy. Then I fell and had to have a revision. They moved to t9 and I no longer have those issues but gosh I don't want that for you!! Maybe they can program lower. I'm so sorry. That is such a bummer. Especially after such a great trial. You're in my prayers and thoughts!!

:hug:

TK

My was implanted are T6 to help with upper abdomen pain. Luckily I haven't had any nausea. I think you should set up an appt. with the doctor and rep.
My rep has been able to adjust the settings to move stimulation up and down my abdomen to cover the right area. I hope they can make adjust went to the settings to help you.
Are you trying to keep the setting very low? Maybe it's too much stimulation for you.

Sandy

I've been wondering about your progress. I'm so sorry for this set back, you've been through so much already. I'm glad others who have this experience are chiming in. Maybe the dishwasher incidence had something to do with it. I hope your kids understand just how crucial this point in time is for you.
I'm following your experience closely because my Dr. is really pressing me to have the SCS as my next move since I will have my 7th nerve block on Thurs. and it may be the last one she tries.:smileypray:
Please hang in there, you've been so brave to come this far!

Oh dear...
 

I don't remember where the surgeon said he placed the paddle. Seems like he said T7-8 or something. I'm sure I put it in a post here somewhere. I'll have to look around.

Things are not any better and actually, I thought the infection was getting better....and maybe it is, maybe it's something else entirely. The site of the infection is somewhat better, but it seems like I'm feeling my clothes catch on something. Since there were no stitches on the outside, I have not a clue what it would be.

Also, my battery site is completely closed up, but one end of the incision is really painful. It seems like I can feel every edge of that darn battery! This is so frustrating. I'm headed back to the doctor tomorrow for the follow up to the infection visit. This is the surgeon, not the pain doc, so I'll go across the hall and set an appointment up for the pain doc and the rep.
So much work for this contraption that has barely been used!

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions. I do keep the stimulation low, but even the slightest buzz begins to create this queasiness...
I haven't fallen, but have done a couple of things without really stopping to think...just a reaction to a situation that one normally doesn't stop to think about...and get lots of shooting pain in my upper back. Maybe I'll see if the doc will X-ray tomorrow.

Thanks again...I'll try to post back after my appt tomorrow.

Found the post...he placed it at T8-T9

Hoping All Will be Well
 

Mine is T8/T9 and I never experienced the disquieting abdominal senstions you are having Kymmie, so that conversation with Tech Rep will or Should be the best bet, because surgeon is little more than a mechanic there. They take parts out or put parts in and close the "hood."

Prayin for ya, :hug:

During the trial my leads were initially at T9 and I had HORRIBLE chest pain and nausea. We ended up doing a paddle at T11-12. Do you have the percutaneous leads or a paddle? Either way they should be able to move the coverage down for you depending on where you have pain.

Hi Kymmie67
 

I also had the nausea issue. I am not on the site as frequently as I used to, but the people here are very supportive.
I had severe nausea with the trial. I used reglan an turned it on low. The nausea was minimal and the pain I had was gone. So I went for the permanent placement. It was a disaster from the moment I left the hospital.

I vomited for 12 hrs. My back pain worsened and I began having horrible muscle spasms around my chest. The tech made adjustments, but every time I turned it on, I was so sick and it felt like I was being slowly killed.
Eventually the tech had the doc take an X-ray in the office and it showed one lead had migrated and was electrocuting my chest wall.

I was sent home and was to use only the one good side. But the same would happen when I turned it on. I stopped using it, but my symptoms worsened. i can not tolerate temperature changes, have horrible chest wall pain and I began having trouble walking, very weak leg control. That is when the doc removed it immediately.
The tech said the vomiting caused the wires to migrate, the doc says no. To this day I have constant muscle fascillations, spasms and worsened back pain. I am on more meds now than before. No one can tell me if I will ever get better.

I filed an Adverse Event report with the FDA. Their investigation found the doc reported blood at the ends of the leads, and the company had discarded the unit. I had been very specific that I wanted the unit tested for problems. That didn't happen.

Of course my doc says he has never seen anyone have nausea or any problems at all with the units. We All Know Tnat is Not True.

Good Luck to you........:confused:

so angered to hear of
your horrific horrible
unnecessary pain and
a worse outcome
dis-guarding of the UNIT
is a bunch of horse
manure rotten i sense
poop going on

i hope you a not
maimed permanently

someone who cares

Thank you Dawn
 

I, too, hope and pray despite all of the bad outcome reported in the information you discovered you are not left with awful intolerable results long term. Oh, how I hope,
Praying, :hug: