My Dr. wants to remove Stim & replant.
 

I haven't been on here in quite awhile, but i have a need for advice. I recieved my stim in April of this year. After about 2 months it quit working. The dr. did x-rays of my back to check for migration of the leads, but turned out there was none.

He wants to remove the whole device & start over from scratch. another idea he wants to try, is to take out the battery & position it down about 6 inches. This is not the same dr who did the initial surgery, he left the state... :)

Does this sound reasonable to you? Or is he going after some more $? thanks,

jan

Jan!
 

It's good to see you again! :hug:

Hmmm. Without knowing more details, I'd venture to say that it seems like such a drastic decision is being made....
To start from scratch without ruling out if it is just the battery gone bad. Yikes.
Our dear friend Jackie had this happen and she had her battery changed out. Maybe she'll see this and give input?

No sign of lead migration - that's good.
I think you've got a good sense about this possibly being a costly endeavor and perhaps he simply doesn't want to mess with someone ELSE's handywork.
Perhaps your insurance will request additional information from your doctor on this before they approve payment. After all, we are talking a verrrry high-dollar payout.

What matters the most tho, is YOU and your welfare.
Do you feel comfortable with the direction your doctor is wanting to go?
It would sure be a crying shame if you went thru all of this only to find out that it was a matter of the lead wire coming disconnected from the battery or something. Surely not?
I'd like to assume the Dr would rule out the obvious before starting from scratch.
Just my initial thoughts.....

Others will happen along shortly. Meanwhile, I hope you have adequate pain control during this interim?

Caring,
:hug: Rae :hug:

Hi Jan!
 

Seems as though your current doctor is trying to figure out a reasonable and appropriate means to address your pain mangement needs. If he is satisfied the leads have not migrated, perhaps he is trying to figure out how best to "get it running again." Anyway, if he is able to replace the computer/battery unit and connect to your existing leads it sounds like replacing a worn and nonfunctioning car part, hooking it into the rest of the works to restore you to functionality. Wow, I guess this kind of begs teh question whether physicians will, in the futere, come to be known more as mechanics.....

Time to ask questions of your doc whether the replacement of unit maneuver will restore operatino through the well positioned leads. I do not understand the movement of that base unit concept, but your doc should be able to fully explain what is behind that suggestion.

Nevertheless, you will assuredly be in our thoughts and prayers here, both during this time of pain management without the unit and through restoration of a working stim for you!

Prayin,
Mark56:grouphug:

Kin we have sum???
 

Hi Rae-
jan and I noticed your toasted marshmallows..... may we have some too???? Are you making smores? Do you need us to bring graham crackers and chocolate? Should we just schedule a BBQ at your place in Totoland? Are these enough questions?

: o) as you can tell, we are positively GREEN with envy!!!

Yum,
Mark56:partytime2:

Jan!
 

Jan nice to hear from you again :)

Hmmmmm this is a tricky one indeed. When my battery stopped charging I had an appointment in the hospital with the Rep the next day anyway. She immediately said the leads had migrated. But my Dr wasnt so sure, so he sent me off for x-rays too. Nope leads were fine all was well. So it must be a problem with the battery:eek:and lo and behold it was, even though the Rep said it was 'highly unlikely'. My Dr was furious mind you as this was a second patient of his with a problem with the battery!!!! Mine is a St Judes btw. So definitely look before you leap I say!

Now Im thinking as the original Dr has left the State, does your current Dr maybe want to 'start from scratch' because he doesnt want to 'interfere' with the other work done, in case anything else goes wrong with it and he would be to blame:confused:???? just a thought.

I would definitely ask that all avenues be explores BEFORE he decides to remove anything. You know maybe the leads have become disconnected from the battery? Maybe it IS the battery thats at fault, if so, as in my case, a new one was implanted and attached to the existing leads and is working ok since, THANKFULLY!!!! But you would have to ask yourself, why would you want to 'start from scratch' now especially if the leads are in place and more than likely scarred in by now. Why go through ALL that pain again with more surgery if its maybe only the battery thats at fault.

Were you ok with where the battery was placed initially? if so why would he want to move it 6 inches!?

Lots of questions you need to ask Jan before anything is removed, well certainly thats what I would be doing.........hope that helps somewhat

Take care

Jackie :hug:

My SCS has to come out too!
 

Hi Jan,

I too am in a similar position to you in that my Dr suggested removing my Medtronic SCS and replacing it with a Nevro SCS as the Medtronic one just hasn't worked for me.
I didn't like the idea of removing the entire implant and I have suggested using the existing leads which work and replacing the battery to the Nevro, (I believe you can only get the Nevro in Ireland and the UK) but anyway, my leads haven't migrated and my Dr is considering going with this route.
It is possible your new Dr just wants to start from scratch and not inherit another doctors problems, what SCS do you have in?

Keep in touch and let us know how you're getting on, how are your pain levels, did it give you any relief when it did work?

All the best

Sinéad :grouphug: :grouphug:

Happy to Share!
 

................SMORES for everyone! http://dl.glitter-graphics.net/pub/8...c3x1t0kt98.gif

BUT !! DO be AWARE - Not ALL Marshmallows are as cute as they appear....





............http://dl2.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...rlmub07c1s.jpg

Thanks for your replys. I am glad that i posted my question. You're all very healpful & have given me alot to think about. I do think the dr wants it to be HIS work, as he was saying he would have put the battery lower, etc... I will post again soon ,I have to go think...

thanks again, jan

Dear Rrae,

That's sick.

I like it.

Love,

Joan

I hope it gets fixed for you jan, with a minimum of pain and trouble for you!