My battery is a 'pain'
 

At the moment Im just over 7 weeks from surgery. My battery is on my left butt, well more on my hip/waistband area. The actual incision has healed and looks 'sealed' however, I find the actual battery 'sore'. When I lie down I can nearly feel the battery digging into my skin. But moreso when Im lying on the couch or slightly sitting up in bed. You know how when you sit, it kinda 'folds' slightly and it gives me the oddest feeling. I feel as if its going to push up or move even:eek:. I also notice that when I feel around the battery, which is rare as I cant stand the feel of it in my body, well not yet anyway, I notice I have little lumps, or well I dunno what to call them only lumps around the actual battery. Is that scar tissue do you think? or just part of me!? Today we went out for lunch and I was able to sit longer than usual because I have my stim on yay!!!!!! but after a while I did feel odd with this feeling of the battery in my back. I always bring a cushion to lean against as I sometimes find the chairs or seats are uncomfortable, or at least not comfortable enough to cater for my back!!. I do hope that what Im feeling is 'normal' and that in a few months I wont even notice it is there!!! just the pleasant feeling of pain relief!

Well...... a subsiding of swelling
 

Hi Jackie-

I noticed quite a bit of tenderness until about week 9 after surgery and the swelling of the invasion of my body had begun to abate. Maybe with reduced swelling, you will settle in to your body rhythm with the implanted device. I have felt of the battery site, and notice what I figure is scar tissue. It is just part of the package I figure. Maybe that is what you are feeling as well????

Glad you could get out to eat.... what a liberating effect that has on the psyche!!

Hoping the best,
Mark56:hug:

I've been having the same problem with my battery, Jackie. The one on my left is sore and I'm debating whether it's hip pain or the battery. I know they said I had scar tissue on my left side from previous surgeries so hopefully that's not being aggravated. What's weird is that the battery on the right side doesn't seem to bother me. Hopefully as we get to Mark's 9 week mark (pun intended), we'll see a let up on the soreness, too.

It's just too weird how we're both dealing with so many identical issues....:eek:

How odd Fiona :)
 

Hi Fiona, it is strange how we both have similiar issues with our stims. Could it be that we are of the same age(or at least I think we are) I was 50:eek:in May!! but loving it all the same:Ddont really have a choice!. Im hoping too that it is some scar tissue. Went out for a walk today but I must say I dont find it too helpful for my the back at the moment. I did turn it up 'high' but couldnt stand straight as my legs were so wobbly, well felt it, if they didnt actually wobble, if you know what I mean. So had to turn my stim back down again, about 4 bars now, to help me walk properly. I will say though that it is helping with the burning feeling I get in my legs/thighs. Its relaxing for me when Im sitting down or lying down. While I was recharging yesterday I turned my stim off, dont know why but I feel safer while Im charging, anyway, I had the usual pain/burning/tingling feeling in my legs which I havent really experienced once the stim is on. So thumbs up on that score. But my back isnt getting a lot of benefit really, but time will tell, Im still coming to terms with the whole sensation thing.
Im still putting a surgical bandage on my incision over the battery because Im afraid that I will damage the skin covering it, as Im not convinced that it is 'deep' enough. but then whom am I to know how deep it should go, thats why we have Dr's :rolleyes:

Mark I will keep 9 weeks in mind and hopefully I will get past this feeling I have. Id hate to think I will have an extra pain after having my stim implanted, couldnt take that!!:eek:

Hope things get better for you!
 

:hug:Jackie, I am sorry you are having trouble with your stim battery area. I remember all of that very well. The soreness did finally go away although since I fell it is back but I think it makes sense. If you notice anything soreness or that it looks weird definitely tell your doctor because sometimes there is irritation but it should not be too painful. The first stim they put in was really close to my skin and it stuck out which to me was painful so the revision they moved it in deeper but I think it is much worse now (again that could be because everything is messed up). Well, I hope your incision feels better very soon take care :hug:'sTara

Thanks Tara:hug: I will certainly keep an eye on it to make sure it doesnt 'stick' out:eek: .....Hope your well and that you will get sorted asap!!:hug:

Jackie: I'm thinking now that the pain we're feeling in the battery area may actually be inflammation based. I took a steroid for allergies yesterday (steroids are also a great anti-inflammatory) and the battery site felt MUCH better all day until the steroid wore off. So, I'm thinking that it's inflammation from the surgery and that we need to give the inflammation time to go away. You could try an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and see if that helps. I can't as I have to take so many to get results that it gives me horrible heartburn.

By the way, I'll be 52 in November.

Thanks Fiona :).....yes I do take an anti-inflammatory too. But you know you could well be right. Its still quite sensitive to touch and if I lean back against it too. My husband said it does look a bit bruised still. Im hoping thats all it is and it will pass for us both very soon.
Sure we are only young ones you know:D Although at times I feel 90:D

Time to heal and time for swelling to fully abate
 

Yep as Jackie and Fiona are hitting on target, inflammation and swelling due to the recent surgery can sure be the aggravator. Give it time and the swelling should abate as it has with me. This doesn't mean that foreign body [sorry PJ] in my backside is an unwelcome accompaniment, but there can be some soreness even when the surgical pain and swelling has fully abated. Probably we will always be sensitive to the area, but less so over time as with me. Yep.

Mark56 PJ:grouphug:

Two things concerning your battery
 

Hi!
Yes, I agree with lots of the above. I would also like to add two things:
1. Make sure you do not have an infection brewing. I know this is rare, but it is worth checking. Look for redness around your incision and battery site. Also, check if it feels warm to the touch. If either of these, call your doc and have the doc check it out.

2. As for the inflammation, I'd add the thought of putting ice packs on the site. It won't harm your battery or mess with it, like heating pads will, and it might help with both the inflammation and the pain. (I like the gel kind, which are flexible!)

I have had my spinal cord stimulator since 2008 and I still usually sleep on my rightt side because of that. Also, if I'm lying on my back, I make sure the area just above that battery site is padded and supported with a pillow.

Just some thoughts!