NeuroTalk Support Groups - SCS & Pain pumps

Spinal Cord Stimulator TRIAL FAQ's:
-per Medtronics

The spinal cord stimulator trial is used to find out if this treatment will reduce your pain. You will go home with your trial leads in place. The trial most often lasts one week.

Your feedback during the trial is vital.

•Keep track of your pain for the length of the trial.
•Take your pain medicines as instructed by your doctor.
•Learn what settings of spinal cord stimulation work for you as you adjust the controller in response to your activities, body positions, and changes in pain.
You may have pain in your back where the leads exit. It is okay to use Tylenol® or ice to ease this pain. Avoid aspirin which increases bleeding. You will need to carefully watch your symptoms to decide what pain is caused by inserting the spinal cord stimulator and what pain is your normal, chronic pain.

You will need to restrict your activities during the trial period. This is so the leads in your back don’t move. If the leads move too much, you can lose stimulation.

•Do not raise your arms above your head.
•Do not twist, bend, or stretch your body at the waist. When rolling over, keep your body straight. Sitting in a chair is fine as long as you are careful.
•Do not make any sudden movements.
•Do not lift items weighing more than 5 pounds.
•Do not strain when moving your bowels. Take laxatives if needed.
You will have an incision in your back where the spinal cord stimulator leads exit. This will be covered by a bandage. You will need to take very good care of the site to avoid complications like infection or bleeding.

•You may not shower, soak in the tub, or go swimming for the time of the trial. You are encouraged to keep yourself clean with sponge baths.
•You will need to watch the site to make sure everything is healing well. Look at the site daily. Do not remove the bandage. Call your Doctor if you have:
◦Pus-like drainage.
◦Site is red or warm to touch.
◦Excess swelling, bruising, or bleeding.
◦Pain you cannot control

The Permanent SCS Implant:
Frequently Asked Questions (provided by Medtronic)

What are some of the possible complications that I should be aware of?
As with any implanted device, infection can occur. The lead, extension, or
neurostimulator could move within the body or push through the skin. There could
be undesirable changes in stimulation. It is also possible that the implanted materials
could cause an allergic or immune system response.
Your neurostimulation system might unexpectedly cease to function due to battery
depletion or other causes. These events, which can include electrical shorts or open
circuits, conductor (wire) fractures, and insulation breaches, cannot be predicted.

What types of activities can damage or move the lead?
You should know where your lead is placed and keep in mind which movements
may put strain on the lead or on the stitches that hold the neurostimulator in place.
Leads become dislodged primarily because of certain motions or sudden repetitive
movements.
Exercise and other activities should be approached with caution. Excessive or
repetitive bending, twisting, bouncing, or stretching can move or break the lead.
A lead can break or fracture due to action of nearby bones and ligaments. Although it
is made of flexible and durable materials, it is still subject to wear. Therefore, seemingly
harmless or repetitive movements can cause unseen damage over time, eventually
causing the lead to fracture. This damage may require surgery to replace the lead.

When should I call my physician about my neurostimulation system?
Consult with your physician if you:
• Experience additional or unusual pain.
• Notice unusual changes in the quality of your stimulation or if you
experience no sensation.
• Need to increase stimulation more often than normal.
• Notice that the stimulation pattern changes.

Will I be able to drive?
Yes. However, you should turn your neurostimulator OFF prior to driving to help
ensure safe operation of your car.

Are physical activities safe?
Most activities are safe. However, you should always follow your physician’s
instructions with regard to work, exercise, hobbies, or other activities.

What should I do about airport security and theft detectors?
Use care when approaching airport security and theft detection devices such as those
found in libraries and some department stores.
It can be helpful to show your device identification card. Request a hand search.
Security personnel may use a hand-held security wand, but ask them not to hold the
wand near the neurostimulator any longer than is needed.
If you must pass through the security screening device:
• Turn your neurostimulator OFF.
• Approach the center of the security device, and walk through normally.
• Proceed through the security device, keeping as far away as possible from
the gate(s). Do not linger or lean on the security device.
• After you pass through the security device, turn your neurostimulator ON
again to resume therapy.

Can I travel on an airplane?
Yes. Your neurostimulator should not be affected by airplane flights.

How will I know if my neurostimulator is working properly? What happens when the
battery runs out?
If you have a rechargeable device, you will be able to use the patient programmer to
find out when the battery in both the device and the programmer is low.
Do Not let the battery in your SCS device run completely down!

If you have a non-chargeable neurostimulator, your physician will be able to tell you the state of the
battery in your device during regularly scheduled follow-up visits. If your physician finds
that the battery in the device is low, he or she will discuss a replacement procedure.

Can I go in a hot tub, steam room, or sauna?
Yes, but if you feel any localized heat sensation around your neurostimulator, get out.

Can I scuba dive or enter a hyperbaric chamber?
Do not dive below 33 ft. (10 m) of water or enter a hyperbaric chamber above
2.0 atmospheres absolute (ATA). Exceeding these limitations can damage the
neurostimulator system. Before diving or using a hyperbaric chamber, discuss the
effects of high pressure on your neurostimulator with your physician.

Can I sky dive or participate in other high-altitude activities such as skiing or hiking
in the mountains, or flying in a non-commercial airplane?
High altitudes should not affect your neurostimulator. However, you should consider
the movements involved in an activity, and take care to not put undue stress on
your implanted neurostimulation system. For example, the sudden jerking that
occurs during skydiving when the parachute opens can dislodge or fracture the lead,
requiring additional surgery to repair or replace the lead.