SCS Poll- Please Help!
 

Hi everyone! I'm 25 w/CRPS in L foot/leg now spread to R side as well. (my intro is out there somewhere, but that's beside the point). Anyway, I'm on my way to getting my SCS trial scheduled (any day now, ins just approved :) )

Anyway, my predicament is, assuming my trial is successful, I am semi-obsessively thinking about the pros/cons of the different placement options for the battery "pocket". I have read about issues w/people having pain at their battery site (often in upper-buttock region), but also have read issues where people have had it placed in their abdomen also. I'm thinking the best spot would be my front- hip/lower abdomen- thus not bothered by belts, etc, nor hit by ribs when moving, and not hitting chairs, etc, when sitting too long.. (hopefully my rambling is making sense).

So my questions for you all are A: Where is your SCS battery placed, and B: Are you happy with it, or does it cause you additional pain (& when/why)?

Your input here is priceless, and I appreciate any help you all can offer. Thanks so much!

Great question, SnowWhyte! I remember how very important this was to me also in deciding where to put this strange new device. You're sure to get lots of input from the crew here.
This basically all boils down to personal preference. Also, your doctor should be able to give you some good suggestions based on the feedback from his past patients. There are several here who've had the battery in the front, just as there are those who've had them in the back, usually in the hip/buttock, tucked away in the 'meaty' area.

I'm very happy with my decision to have mine placed in the left hip/butt. It's out of the way, doesn't interfere with my waist line or belt when wearing pants, and it's handy to charge. Since I'm right handed, I'm able to operate the controls with my right hand while holding the charger over the battery with my left hand until I get situated. I usually get comfortably positioned in a chair and the charger stays over the battery without me having to hold it there.

One thing to keep in mind is if you happen to lose some weight after the battery is in place, it'll seem as tho the battery is making it's way to the top, as tho it were trying to work itself out! I thought this is what was happening to me, until my doctor informed me that I was losing weight in my hip/butt area and the extra fatty tissue was 'melting away', which made the battery closer to the surface.
Now, if you are a thin person, I'm not sure how it will work in the front, or if it would stick out.

I'm very excited for you, as your trial date nears! Please keep us posted!

Caring,
Rae
:hug:

Hi SnowWhyte!

I have two SCS's implanted, cervical and thoracic. Both batteries were placed in the hip/buttock area. The thoracic battery really bothered me where it was placed, so when I had my revision surgery on that SCS they moved the battery too. It was moved to the front/side, kinda near my ribcage. I really wanted the other one moved too but insurance would not cover it.

So, I have one in the back and one in the front. Since the skin and tissue in the front is looser than in the back, that one turns and moves a little too much. It is sometimes uncomfortable to lay on that side. But, it does feel better there than where it was originally placed.

Sorry that probably doesn't help you too much :)

Oh, I will add that it is easier charging the one in that back then the one in the front side....makes a better connection in the back since it stays flat.

I wish you luck on your decision and on your trial!
Nanc

My scs was implanted at T9 and my battery is at my right buttock/hip area. It didn't hurt until I lost about 30 pounds due to pulmonary emboli. Now it sticks out and can get uncomfortable. But it didn't hurt until that point. Hope this helps.

TK

Hi Snow!!
 

How are the Dwarves?

Ok, enough of that side bar stuff..... I will get on track.

Rebooting.....

T8/T9 implant with the battery/computer sitting in my right hip just below the belt line... now do bear in mind that is a guy belt line and not the forever changing stylistic placement of the waist on women's clothing. I mention this variance since both my wife and daughter are forever dealing with the fashion idiocy of no one in Paris knows where a woman's waist is anatomically placed, and our daughter is only 20!

So, thinking of that slight perturbation I have had no problem with battery placement once the thing scarred in. Some do others do not. Check out Saffy's story for her concern about an abdominal placement which came in at above the bikini line and the scarring which became a nuisance.

Saffy here- http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ighlight=saffy

More than anything... do ask questions of your Doc regarding placement options, risks, prospective difficulties, ask whether you may speak with any patient of theirs who has been through the process [why do I suggest this? Because my own surgeon has had patients to telephone me if they felt trepidatious]. Ask, ask, ask. Learn, learn, learn.

If you have more questions. Here we are!!!:)
Yup,
Mark56:):grouphug:

Hi Snow :)
 

Hi and lovely to welcome you to this fabulous place :)

I had my implant in August 2010 for Failed Back Syndrome and neuropathy in both legs........

My battery is located in my left hip/butt also.....just on or below my belt line, depends on whether I wear hipsters or not :D

I dont have any issue with it there at all. As Im right handed I find it handy when Im turning my stim up and down as I hold the wand over the battery with my left hand and adjust the controller with my right hand....sorted ;)


Its a personal choice I would say, which ever you feel you would be comfortable with. But mine is out of the way and never a nuisance either ;)


Jackie:hug:

I had my SCS placed in a retro-grade fashion...and my doc uses only one incision for the whole enchilada. My incision is above the beltline, and slightly off to the left, so the pocket for my battery is nicely out of the way. I am extremely pleased with the placement, but it did hurt to lie down, or drive, etc for awhile following surgery. Keep in mind that in order to place the IPG in the front, they will need to tunnel through your flesh in order to connect the leads. This did not sound all that pleasing to me ;)

Just as a side note, I am a lefty, and my battery is on the right and fiddling with it bothers me sometimes. I asked for left, but the rep and dr. Said it would be easier to tunnel on the right side. So I agreed. It's not really a big deal. My main annoyance is it poking out lol.

Good Question
 

Hi
My name is Sandy and my Boston Scientific was implanted in August 2011 at T6.
My doctor suggested to place the battery in my buttock on the right since I am right handed. It's worked great for me, easy to reach and charge. No discomfort when sitting or lying down. It's well below my belt line just about inside a rear pocket.
Good luck with your research and future implant.

ahh my vanity
 

Hi Snow...and everyone...I have been just lurking lately tho I have to chime in here.
I have the metronic adaptive stim implanted March 2012 for the L4-L5 area..chronic pain due to MVA.I am R handed. My battery pocket is in my R butt cheek about 3 inches down from my waist. I was thinner when it was put in and it did stick out some and hurt ...it moved about a bit with scaring..stuttered and was reprogramed with success. Gaining weight has helped cushion it in place ..it does not hurt when I sit or lay down...for now it is very comfortable and efficient. I notice it when I back into a table or things at that level. It is easy for me to charge which I do in the car while I drive because I found it stays exactly in the right place for the entire time needed.
BTW..."who invented that charging belt"....Reubik?
Now the scars are another issue with my vanity....the pocket scar is low enough for me to cover with my french cut panties (sorry guys) and the back scar is covered with my bra strap...both are healing well. I am still way upset to have them. Of course I am way upset at a lot lately.
Thats my input...
standing in the Light
Johanna*