Seeking SCS trial Advice
 

So, anyone who can "chime in" please do.
I'm set for trial on July 8th.
I've been reading about the acronym no "blast" but now I'm wondering on the details.
For example: Bending - brushing your teeth over bathroom sink? Lifting: what limits?
Stretching - can you reach into say a regular type washer &
dryer?
Twisting - How do you make sure you don't do that in your
sleep and how do you get out of bed.
Getting and out of vehicle? How about having your back against a seat or chair?
Mine will be placed in lower back and then go all the way up to shoulder area as my CRPS/RSD in in my left hand and arm.
Can you wrap the site in cling wrap and tape it up and quickly "shower"?
I'm really scared to do this and I've read a lot of everyone else's stories here.
Any experience helps - Thanks!

in my experience
 

The first couple of days...no i could not totally BEND over to "spit".

LIFTing the doc said 5 pounds....more like 2 pounds till about 2 weeks...then 5 tho not too high.
STRETCHING..no way laundry for a couple of weeks...that would take bending and lifting along with stretching...NO NO NO
TWISTING...not in bed...the first couple of days I slept where I fell in bed and then rolled out.
Mark has a good explaination for how to's in a previous thread.
Maybe we should have a devoted thread for this frequently asked question.

Your trial surgery is way different than the implant surgery.
hang in there...tons of advice on the way!! Pleanty of support also.
YES...Cling wrap and tape does work...that is what I did!!

welcome
Johanna*

I forgot
 

:deadhorse::deadhorse::deadhorse::deadhorse::deadh orse::deadhorse::deadhorse::deadhorse::deadhorse:


DON'T DO IT....IT REALLY HURTS

The Class Dunce Here
 

ARGHHHHHH...... I spent the last half hour writing a post into the stickies at the top of the forum about BLAST and LOGROLL and was about to wrap it up when my flying fingers hit a wrong combination of keys and POOF, away the post disappeared...... GONE. I wanna cry.....:(

So, the short version here:

I came up with BLAST after the implant surgery when the post op nurse was trying to tell me to remember BLT and add no stretching to it. I told her that was not good enough because it involved too many mental steps. Instead, I coined BLAST, incorporating stretching into the acronym thusly:

1. B DO NOT BEND - This means do not bend over at the waist to pick anything up from the floor [ask for help, squat, or use a "grabber" device which can be purchased at any popular pharmacy]. If it falls, do not BEND over to pick it up. DO NOT BEND to load/unload the washer or dryer or dishwasher. DO NOT BEND to pick up a remote control or the telephone. Place such things at your reach to minimize the temptation to bend. DO NOT BEND to wash your hair, as this will stress those tenuous leads emplaced in your spine..... pretend no one will see you until the trial is over and forget vanity for a little while as you learn whether SCS will work for you.

You may bend somewhat to sit in a car, on a chair or sofa at home, on the toilet to do necessary things, as this form of bending did not seem to interfere with the process when I was in the trial. Get a Grabber such as you may find at a name brand pharmacy for reaching things you should neither bend nor stretch to retrieve while in trial.

2. L DO NOT LIFT - This means anything which puts strain on you AT ALL. Your toothbrush can be lifted [but do not bend to spit, use a tray or practice long distance spitting - this is why hospitals usually issue those plastic bent trays for inpatients], and you can certainly lift a forkful of food to feed yourself while lifting a cup of beverage to wash it down [do not heft a 2 litre stein of your favorite brew, as this will cause strain]. I am reminded of instructions after eye procedures - LIFT NOTHING. The idea is if you lift, some strain will occur and those muscles in your spine will react potentially affecting your trial.

3. DO NOT...... A...... wait a minute, this is an acronym, and vowels have no place.

4. S DO NOT STRETCH which means nothing which would cause you to lift your arms above your eyes. Wear loose fitting clothing which can be buttoned up the front so you need not lift your arms to put on a favorite polo or blouse. Let your hair go for a few days, as lifting your arms to brush it out or comb it puts them above your eyes, I guarantee it. DO NOT STRETCH to reach up for a favorite blouse or shirt to wear during your trial period; let someone else do it or forget it until the trial is concluded. DO NOT STRETCH to place or retrieve a cup/glass/bowl/plate on or from a shelf..... these movements involve raising those arms too high.

Think about avoiding fastening rear fastened bras as they involve stretching. If you will be hanging around your home during the trial.... who will know? If you must go out, maybe your spouse or significant other can assist. Simple things like tying your shoes also involve stretching - wear house slippers or slip on shoes as I did.

5. T DO NOT TWIST- and this can be something as simple as twisting around if someone calls your name [ we all do this ], twisting in your car seat to fasten the seatbelt [ we do this too ]. My spouse helped fasten my seatbelts during this time. I could not drive anyway. That oh so subtle twist which may occur as you finish in the restroom is probably OK [anyway, I had no problem with it].

LOGROLL - Getting into or arising from bed. [This assumes the covers have been pulled back already]
a. Walk up to the bed and back up to it until your legs touch it.
b. Placing your arms out to your side, palms flat and ready to touch the bed as you descend, slowly use your strong legs to descend to a seating position on the bed, touching the bed to either side with your hands for balance.
c. Using your arm on the pillow side of your body, begin to slowly lever yourself down toward the bed so your head may rest upon your pillow while simultaneously raising your legs up from that seated position to align them on the bed as you lie upon your side.
d. Once you have succeeded in lying down, line your legs up to your comfortable position [ mine is with a pillow between the knees for a neutral spine position].
You are down. Rest. You may be fine in such a position as I was after each spine surgery once the aggravation of straining touchy muscles was subsided.

Arising from bed, the actual logroll feature of the above process.
i. Align your body and legs parallel to the edge of the bed nearest to you while facing that edge of the bed. If you had a pillow between your knees for sleep, remove it first.
ii. Using the arm nearest to the mattress, press down with the palm of the hand of that arm upon the mattress, levering yourself up into a seated position as you simultaneously swing your legs over the side of the bed into a seated position.
iii. Take a breath or two and gather your wits. Breathe out, and using your leg and abdominal muscles arise from the seated position into a standing position. Take it easy in this process. If you do not require the assistance of a cane or walker, do not grab onto something or a person as doing so will engage muscles you do not necessarily wish to flex in the process. I had to do this on my own, as I found if someone tried to "help" me up it HURT like thunder and risked harming my trial lead placement.
iv. Upon gaining the standing position, take stock of yourself and move carefully until you are assured of full control of your body in the standing or walking position.

BATHING - During the trial I DID NOT. A sponge bath or washcloth to make the ripe odor go away was one thing, but risking moistening the trial implant area would risk infection and other stuff, so I stayed away from it.

SITTING in a chair or the car - at first I used a flat pillow to protect the back as I would recline against the seat. This issue resolved the longer the trial lasted.

WALKING - Well, this is one thing Doc wanted me to try so as to learn whether SCS would be viable in multiple environmental uses. I did not RUN or JOG, just walked since the leads are just barely sutured into place and then taped like heck to hold them as firmly as possible.

Well whaddya know? I pretty much typed it all once again. This time it will also go into the stickies under SCS and Pain Pumps- useful sites and information.

I surely hope this helps and that your trial goes Very Very well.
Yup, :hug:

thanks Mark56
 

I knew you would be so complete...
you are needed and apprieciated here.

here here
Jo*

Well thank ya Jo
 

But that is what we ALL do here.....yourself included. Seen you give so much support and comfort I have!! :You-Rock: :Thanx: :Thank you: :winner_first_h4h: :Tip-Hat: :highfive:

And a :hug: