New SCS recipient, want to stay active
 

I got my SCS implant two weeks ago today, it is working really well, and alleviating serious pain I've had in both knees for ten years. I'd like to remain active in mountain biking and weight training. After the proper healing time of course. I'd like to hear from those who are still active in sports.

Check KZLRogue
 

Welcome Wolf-

You will find folks active once truly healed according to the doc's restrictions, rehabilitation, direction. KZL, for instance, just rounded the sixth month anniv of her SCS and this past weekend writes of playing her first round of golf since before. Doc agreed with her. She is tough. Went for 9, I guess, then remained for 18.

Look around, you will find others who have been active. I am only 1 month out from surgery, have the appt with my surgeon tomorrow, am nearly weaned from the pre-existing pain management meds, and HOPE to be able to return to some of my pre-injury life of 5 1/2 years ago where I was an avid mountain biker, alpine skier, hunter, hiker, and DANCED with my wife. So, hope is in charge here.

Take it easy according to your doc's instructions. Failing in that can result in messing up the works.

Good luck,
Mark56:)

Thanks!
 

Thank you. It was your posts about your experiences that led me to join. I see you used to mountain bike. I hope to return to it after the eight week wait period my team recommends. However, I am a bit concerned about falling, which could pull the leads.

Hi Wolf!
 

Hi Wherewolf, I just wanted to say welcome to the group. I have an SCS but I am having a lot of problems so I am not active right now. And I am not a sports person so I probably should not be replying ;) I just wanted to say hello to you and that you will find a lot of support and encouragement in this forum! take care :hug:Tara

Congrats!!
 

Hi Wherewolf and welcome to this AWESOME site!! It is full of WONDERFUL people who pour their heart and soul into every post so others can hopefully learn from their experiences. It's a GREAT place to be for support and advice!

As far as being active, I'd recommend what feels comfortable for you but ONLY with your doctor's blessing!!!! As Mark said earlier, I just hit my 6 month anniversary (today actually) and golfed this past weekend. Since it sounds like you were very active before, I'm guessing that you had the paddle implanted to secure the leads better??? I had the paddle implanted since I am relatively young and wanted to regain some of my former life activities. I am former military, played college and then competitive volleyball (3 - 4 nights a week and on weekends) after that, worked out, ran, golfed (I think 45 holes was the most I played in a day).....my motto was "no pain...no gain". If I didn't come away from a work out drenched in sweat and feeling pushed to my farthest limits, it's wasn't a complete workout, and I'd continue until I got to that point. I can't express the high I got from a great work out like that....yes, I was crazy at times!!! So obviously, when my pain became so severe that I had problems walking and was bedridden at times, it was literally killing me....mostly mentally.

But now, I am gaining some of that old life back. I have realized that my life will never be the same. I can't play volleyball ever again. Maybe if I were NOT the type to go full speed....I tend to have this problem where I cannot let a ball drop without at least getting a touch on it which means hurling my body in any way possible on the ground, and I've accepted that. HOWEVER, I can work out, run, walk, and golf....maybe not to the extreme that I did before but I am still getting enjoyment out of it.....just a different kind.

I'm sure your doctor will let you know when you are ready to start with your activities. Hopefully, you have a great relationship with your Dr. Mine knew from day one that I wanted to golf again so that was my #1 goal. To my surprise, she actually told me that I could start golfing about 3 months after the surgery. She said that the paddle had the leads so secure that even if she were to go in and move them she would really have a hard time. I thought that was GREAT but had a lot of hesitation and realized that I was not ready emotionally to golf that soon. My mind was so conditioned to think that if I were to do something physically fun like golf, my body would pay me back for the next 2 - 3 weeks in ways that I was not prepared to go through again. So after telling myself that I can do this and walking more and more, I felt more physically and mentally fit. I had to hit some smaller milestones before reaching my #1 goal.

I can tell you that I am very sore but I truly believe it is complete muscle pain.....because I actually smile when I move and feel the pain. It reminds me that I am alive and starting to live again.

So, I'd like to think that I am getting back to an active lifestyle! It may not be the same exact one that I had before the pain but you know what.....I'm NOT the same person I was before the pain!! I'd like to think I've become a better and stronger person through my journey so far and that life would be way too boring if things remained the same.....besides, we wouldn't learn anything if it were always the same!

Good luck in your recovery!! Just don't push yourself too much too soon! Trust me on this one as I did and had to take an extra couple weeks off from work. It was not one of my brightest moments!!!

:Heart:

Run?
 

You can run? I thought we weren't supposed to bounce around? That is encouraging. Too much running many years ago is what started my knee problems. Mountain biking is certainly easier than running. So that is encouraging. What do you mean by "work out", weight training?

Yea KZL
 

I just KNEW KZL would chime in, and in a GREAT WAY! KZL :You-Rock:
Mark56 :)

Mountain biking?
 

You used to mountain bike. Have you discussed that possibility with your team? If I get back into it I hope to visit my sister in Colorado. Perhaps you'll be back into it by then. I've had knee problems since 1984 and started chronicling them about nine years ago:*edit*

I just started running a VERY little bit when I walk....maybe a block if that so nothing to the extreme. I felt like giving it a try so I did...not very scientific, I know. My thought process was if I can golf which has a lot of rotating why shouldn't I be able to run.

As far as working out, I am on the eliptical trainer but have not started any free weights yet but again....my thought process is if I can golf which is a lot of repetitive rotating (and I mean a LOT of repetitive rotating especially for me!!!) why couldn't I start out with some light weight training. Of course, I am no doctor so I would certainly check with yours in case I am way off base. My doctor has said from day one, "We are going to get you back in control of your life!!" So she's been very supportive of what I've wanted to do but always cautions me to start SLOWLY and work up to where I want to be....which is hard for me since I like to always jump in with both feet!!

Speaking of which, I've heard people who have had the SCS implants are jumping out of planes and you can't tell me that the landing isn't jarring! (which I so want to do!!! That's my next goal!! It's more of a life goal!!) So in my mind, anything is possible as long as you are smart about it and don't rush it!

Welcome Wherewolf!
 

Thank you for joining up with this magnificent crew! :grouphug:
We hope to learn from you as well!

Congrats on the successful implant!!
When I saw that you've had KNEE problems for all these years, I see that we've got this in common..... My knee pain (brought on by who knows what) began radiating outward to consume both legs in horrible constant burning neuropathic pain! Is this you??
Also wondered if you got the percutaneous leads or the more involved surgery of the laminectomy.....

It's SO good to have you!
It will be great getting to know more about your experience and many hopes, prayers, and well-wishes will be sent out your way for a speedy recovery so you can get back to your ambitions!


Rae
:hug: