Limitations for people with paddle leads?
 

Hi everyone, sorry to bother you all again ;) Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving, I decided to make a new thread because I was curious about the limitations after surgery and how it is different with per-cutaneous leads and paddle leads. I have heard some people say that they did not have limitations and some people have said they had lots of limitations. If you are a person that has had paddle leads put in and were given limitations, what limitations were they and for how long? I have had the regular leads in since 2008 and I know that you were not supposed to bend and twist or lift things that were over a certain weight, but I was thinking after the healing time it was okay to do these things again right? I also figured that since the doctor had said this would be good for me because they were less likely to move you would have less limitations since you have them "anchored" in. I know I am being silly probably worrying about all this and I am trying to do as much research and talk to many people as I can because this surgery is going to give me my life back again :) And also my family was asking me bunches of questions during the family dinner so it got me thinking and wondering about it myself. I am already making a list of questions to ask my surgeon on Monday too ;) Thanks for sharing any information with me, I really appreciate it! :hug::hug::hug:'sTara

Congrats, Tara!!
 

Hi Tara,

I'm so happy to see that you are finally going to get some results. I had the SCS surgery with the paddle this past February. I was off work for about 4 weeks and started off with light walking. If I remember correctly (it seems like a lifetime ago already!!!), I was told not to raise my arms above my head and to start walking as soon as possible. Since I live in Wisconsin walking in February was a bit difficult so I did what I could. Once I was back to work and feeling better, I started using our elliptical machine at home. I started out with 5 minutes but did not use my arms. I only used my legs and just used the arms to hold on to for balance. As each week went by and I got stronger, I increased the time and slowly added my arms. By the end of April, my surgeon gave me the okay to golf! She said that by this time the leads were so secure with the paddle that she would even have a hard time moving them through surgery. I didn't actually start golfing until a few months after I got the okay as I wasn't quite ready mentally but I figured if she gave me the okay to do twisting like that, the leads must be in pretty secure! When I did finally go out, I was only going to golf 9 holes but felt so good I went 18. It was a blast!! I LOVE my SCS and the paddle!! It has given me part of my life back and I am well on my way to getting the rest back and even more!! :yahoo:

I have an appointment with my surgeon in January so I'm going to ask her if she thinks I would be able to handle Karate. I think it'll really strengthen my body but I'm not so sure about the sparring! Personally, I would love to get in there and throw and receive (I'm a little weird like that!!) some jabs and kicks but I'm a little concerned about the battery getting hit and causing problems. I can wear a chest protector but I don't think it would protect my side; however when I use to play volleyball, I use to wear hip pads so maybe I could find something like that....hmmmm....sorry thinking out loud again! At any rate, I need to finish school first which if all goes well will be spring of 2012 so I've got a lot of time to start conditioning and getting ready especially if Karate becomes an option.

Again, I'm so happy to hear about your upcoming surgery!! Good luck and I can't wait to hear about all your wonderful progress that I know you will have!! :heartthrob:

Yay!
 

Hello there!
I don't have the paddle leads, but after reading K's post I got all excited because Kzlrogue and I had our implants done at the same time and this is bringing back some exciting memories! I remember when she golfed for the first time, we were all so very excited!
Very very inspiring to say the very least :)

I remember asking alot of questions right before the procedure. It's good to ask questions, especially to the Dr. Ask specific Q's and this will not only help alieve any doubts or fears from you, but it will also show the Dr that you are very involved in all the details of what's going on and it should serve to keep him 'sharp'.....
I asked my Dr if he leaves any 'slack' in the leads where they attach to the battery unit. He said yes. This 'slack' would give extra 'leeway' so that when you bend, the wires have this extra bit of 'give'. If there were no slack, then any bending or twisting would put too much pull on the leads.
Little questions like this may seem 'silly' to some people, but it helped to bring peace of mind to me......:rolleyes:

I'm getting very excited about your upcoming procedure Tara!!!

Huggs & Prayers!
Rae
:grouphug:

KZL Strikes Again
 

She punched it right where the strike was needed. Being careful, following doc's instructions, and then going for it. But Karate? Wow, combatives and the like, of course, she is former Army, so well, that is just expected. I saw a Karate instructor one time made up to look like the Michelin Man, so I imagine there is a pad system out there that might protect the computer and battery pack. I think I would be nervous about it though.

Oh, hey, our son just re-enlisted. Still in Patriot Missile. Proud of him and his service.

Thank you KZL,
Mark56:hug: