SCS wires moving
 

Hi, everyone. I am new to the site, and this is my first post. I am 30 years old, have had RSD/CRPS for 11.5 years, and had a Boston Scientific SCS implanted in August 2012. It's been working great, and I've been very pleased overall with my decrease in pain. I've also been able to cut my pain meds in half (although the nicer weather is helping a little bit).

About a month and a half ago, I felt a small, hard pea sized bump towards the bottom of my spinal incision scar. It was painful to sit against backs of chairs and lay on my back at times, and it didn't feel normal, so I went to my surgeon about 2 weeks ago. He said the wires were moving, and although surgery to place it deeper in my muscle was the only option, he didn't recommend it at this time due to the possible complications (I agreed). He said to come back if it became unbearable.

A friend of mine in the medical field that knows about the SCS said that it sounds like my body is rejecting it and that this can change for the better (body accepts it and things stop moving) or for the worst at any point that it is implanted. Both she and surgeon said that the wires can come right through the skin if it gets bad enough.

In the last few weeks, I have had sharp pains where the wire lump is located, (it seems to be getting slightly bigger in size) and more general back pain. I had my husband looked, and he has not seen any "color" beneath my skin yet (my friend said you can sometimes see the wire color underneath the skin when it is close to the surface and the skin is stretched). The SCS appears to be functioning fine, although I had what I think to be an unrelated hiccup with the external charging unit when I charged a week ago.

I can't seem to find much information about this issue online. Has anyone experienced this, and if so, what happened? I am taking Tylenol and trying not to put any pressure on my back if it's not necessary, but this doesn't seem to be going away. Any information/experiences would be welcome - thank you!

Hi TiaMaria
 

I am so sorry to read of your difficulty with the risk of rejection of your wires. I am a Boston Sci user, and know well the benefit to the body its use brought which you, too, have experienced.

Although she was not a Boston Sci patient, Saffy, whose threads are on here, suffered both infection and rejection of her unit and it ultimately had to be completely removed. The intervening soreness, puffiness, then surgery and recovery were all quite hard on her as I am sure it is on you.

Gotta pay special attention as you are to the body's response to the unit. I pray as your surgeon alluded may be possible that your body will ultimately calm to acceptance of the unit and that it will resolve in your favor. I, for one, would very much hate the prospect of losing my Boston Sci unit, as with it I have completely withdrawn from pain meds and found restoration of a good lot of my life.

Prayin for you Maria, that all manner of things will be well.
Prayin and Prayin, :smileypray: :hug: