Implant Scheduled - What to expect
 

:confused:
Hi everyone:
My scs implant is 5 days away and I am excited but getting very nervous. I have been living with severe abdominal pain since 2006. I am 55 and so tired of living a limited life where pain levels dictate y every thought and action. I pray that the scs will help me help but am afraid of another thing that doesn't work in. What can I expect during the first few weeks? How limited will my movements be? Will I need help around the house? My sons are out of the house, it's just me, my husband and two labs. Thanks for all your good thoughts and support.

Sandy Kay

Sandy,

I underwent a SCS trial and implant in March 2011, and a revision SCS surgery in June 2011.
I can't express enough to you how crucial it is to give yourself the six weeks of no bending, lifting, twisting. A great deal of patients request either back braces, for me it was a cervical collar as mine was cervical. The first six weeks are so crucial while the leads are getting scared in. No lifting more than five pounds, no lifting your hands above your head. No twisting AT ALL, no bending AT ALL. You must squat to reach anything on the floor. If you are able have an occupational therapist at the hospital you are having the procedure walk you through the correct way to do things. It was so helpful for me, as you don't realize how often you use the muscles they need you to relax. :) If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask. I wish you the best of luck in your upcoming procedure.:hug:

Hi Sandy!
 

Welcome! I know you are facing a very exciting (yet uncertain and nervous) time in your life. You have found a wonderful place of support and feedback.
If you feel confident with your medical team, then you are well on your way to a better quality of life. It will be great getting to know you and you'll find endless support and genuine care.
Just let us know if you need help in finding your way around the forum.

Here is a very valuable information site
http://www.nationalpainfoundation.or...e-technologies

We will all be happy to share our stories and you'll gain much insight as you read thru the threads of others who have been where you are now.

Caring,
Rae
:grouphug:

Hi Sandy
 

You are very near you implant date, and I well and truly hope and pray all goes well! Your questions related to what kind of restrictions you might expect in the first few weeks after receiving the implant. For me a couple of weeks was what it took to truly discern between the surgical pain [which was not totally overwhelming] and the nerve pain I experience. So, we did not schedule a programming session for my implant until a couple weeks after surgery. THEN I received the programs [which with the rep looking over my shoulder I did myself on his computer] and it was like throwing on the switch to the whole works for immediate pain management via electric stim rather than those awful mind numbing meds.

Limitations during the post surgical healing/scarring in period will be asserted to you by your surgical team as to length of time and such. One way I remembered it was the word BLAST- no bending, lifting, stretching, or twisting for the recommended period of time. Walking was encouraged after my procedure. Pain meds were prescribed regarding the surgical pain, and I used those in addition to my nerve pain management meds as instructed by the docs since my stim would not go live until a couple of weeks following surgery.

I had the help of my wife and children to receive needs like FOOD, and DRIVING me to follow on appointments. Other than that, I tend to be an independent sort, and took care of other needs slowly as I could. I avoided showering the first few days as was instructed [so I became pretty grungey]. Some ladies on here have spoken of having help washing their hair over a kitchen sink, especially if they had one of those spray attachments so they did not have to bend down to do the works or lift their arms above the head to attend to the whole affair of washing, rinsing and drying hair that could be fairly long. Things are a bit different for a guy, who can adopt a "who cares" attitude about the messiness of the hair until we can shower post surgery.

So, one last thing to think of if your surgical staff does not think of it as you are discharged is to implement a log roll method of arising from your bed after sleeping on your side [the better to avoid the incisions]. To log roll, roll to your side facing the edge of the bed, draw up your knees to a sort of sitting position, then use your arms to lever yourself up into the position of sitting on the edge of your bed. Then stand slowly to make sure you are stable. Take baby steps at first. There will be surgical pain, but tolerable. This especially helps for getting to the restroom. Returning to bed, reverse the log roll by sitting upright on the edge, lever yourself back down while raising your legs to the side of the mattress, then extend your legs so you are firmly on the bed. A bit of pain from this, but it protects your leads, wires, and such from needless movements, while also managing to arise with minimal pain. You will want to make such movements yourself if you can, avoiding your husband trying to gently tug on your arm, because of two reasons- the more you can do for yourself easily the quicker your healing, and the ability to be protective of yourself.

Above all remember BLAST, it is so easy to bend over or reach high for something you are accustomed to retrieving, all the while potentially messing up the works of your very recent surgery. Just be CAREFUL, use BLAST, be sensitive to your need to take it easy as your body scars the works into place. Follow your doc's instructions.

Prayin all goes well for you,
Mark56 :hug::hug:zzzzzzz

Well, I'm new to this discussion, and haven't even been through the trial implant, but I've been through abdominal surgery and know what it's like when you can't bend, so here's a tip:

I found a gizmo much like this one very helpful for putting on socks: http://www.wrightstuff.biz/sockaidtwo.html. It's a minor thing, but nice to be able to do for yourself and not have to depend upon others to do for you. The one I had worked great--it was just a half-pipe sort of thingie with two rope handles.

.. and rest .. don't do what I did and become stubborn after two days. In fact .. I think I'm going to book myself in away from my home next operation as I certainly can't rest at home, I'm far too house proud.

Well all I can say to that is SNAP!!!!!:eek::eek:Im dreadful when Im not allowed to do anything because NO ONE (yes I mean NO ONE) only me can do it the right way:rolleyes:.........but it is very hard to sit and not do what you want when you have had surgery, but yes you really do need to take it very very slowly...it will pay off in the end!

Jackie :)

Your surgery
 

Hi Sandy,

Your surgery is planned for tomorrow right?!

I'd like to wish you the very best of luck, don't worry about anything the Dr's and nurses are there to help. Don't over stretch or bend.... I'm sure you've heard all of this, take care and well chat back with you when your able to again

Love and God bless,

Sinead xxxx :) :grouphug:

Count me in on Sophie's Remark
 

:I-Agree:
Mark56
P.S. Thank you to Jackiey for teaching me a new "I am out of sorts" word, SNAP, sounds good. M56

Hi Sandy....
Just wonderin how you are getting along.... I pray that you are doing well and that the surgery went off without a hitch!
Give us an update when you feel up for it, k.

:hug: Rae :hug: