scs activity level after implant
 

My doctor wants me to get a scs but I am worried about the activities I would be able to do afterwards. I have crps and ibknow initially it will help me complete ADLs BUT what about the things I love. For instance, horseback riding, scuba diving, mountain climbing, pole vaulting, kickboxing, etc. I've tried to explain to my dr that before this I was an extremist and do not want to give those things up. Also, I was in remission from crps for 8 years so he is actually hopeful for a remission after using the scs for 6 months to a year, but won't take it out if I go into remission. Now realisticly I'm not expecting remission, but for me it is a possibility sooo that is the dilemma. Would I be able to do any of those things again. Thanks for anyone's input.

Hi Mandi,

I am new to the SCS implant at only 3 weeks post op so I don't have long term results like many of the others will, but wanted to share my experience thus far for what it is worth.

Like you, I was an avid outdoor adventurer! I've spent more days on snow than on dry land.. also a mountain climber, runner, mtn. biker, bow hunter etc., as is my husband. During the first 10 surgeries to fix my body after a head on collision injured numerous body parts, I never questioned my ability to recover enough to do many of those things again.. Then when during what I expected to be my last hip surgery to fix a different rare complication I sustained the nerve damage that caused the CRPS 2 - I remember the very moment I woke up in recovery and new something had went terribly wrong. It was at that point (not even knowing yet that I had already started the disease process) that I began to question my future activities. Fast forward - 7 months and 2 additional surgeries later (not counting the trial implant) I have just started hiking again, walking several times a day, riding my recumbent bike & even went into the pool yesterday for an hour of water therapy and let me tell you how excited I am.. the reality is that I won't likely be able to engage in all of my prior activities or do them with the same athletic level of ability BUT.. I WILL be able to do some of them. Now, I am thinking about developing new passions. I've always been a mountain biker (love the mud & jumps) but that probably won't be doable so I am looking at maybe road biking. I've never been a strong swimmer so this is another activity I plan to increase my skill. Sure.. maybe I won't run a marathon or ride my mountain bike for miles down crazy trails.. but, a triathlon where things are broken up into short sections of differing activities might be well within my reach :) Paddle boarding.. YES this is my newest and greatest love! For me it is difficult to be in any seated or hip flexing position for very long and temperature either cold/hot really plays havoc on my leg. So, paddle boarding solved both problems - I'm up out of the water but still on it, and I am standing so there is no hip flexion to further irritate my damaged nerves and increase the pain. It is truly a beautiful thing!!

All my babbling.. sorry. I guess the point is you've gotta think outside the box and keep thinking about things you can do instead of the things you might not be able to do. Some things won't be entirely out of the question.. just on a more limited basis. The best way to fight back the symptoms of CRPS 1 or 2 is to keep moving and moving very often! The worst thing you can do is to protect or not use the limb and or brain.. this will cause a tornado effect and suck the life right out of you.

Where there is a will there is a way...
Tessa

PS., if you carry a backpack on your hikes it is a good idea to take your backpack with you when you get the SCS. That way your doctor can plan to implant the SCS in a location where the pack won't be resting it's lower edge upon the battery site. I'm so glad I did that!!

SCS and activity
 

Hi Mandi
 

I used to be a dancer [with and for my wife], skier [alpine, as fast as safety and ski patrol would allow], mountain biker, hiker, long rifle hunter and such... oh, and I used to have this way cool career caring for the needs of clients all across the nation..... that changed courtesy of a driver who could not pay attention on the road.

So, from the list above I now can ride my bike [a new Specialized] albeit on the roads and not off paved terrain..... but then, It is because I cannot feel a doggone thing below my knees anymore. That way cool career, we kissed it and most other possessions we could sell goodbye in order to live through the years we had no income because I was drug managed through pain. NOW, I am rebuilding that career again. I feel blessed to have a loving family and a work situation which is pretty darn good with people who care.

Things are different, and I use a cane and a couple of wheelchairs when necessity calls [and it does]. This is my circumstance. The good thing, is with the SCS I am no longer on the mind numbing meds to control pain any longer..... this is how I was able to sit for the Texas bar exam just this past week. This is how I am regaining career presence which now reaches beyond the U.S. This is how good stuff is panning out.

Your path is your path. Whether to go for the gold of SCS is a pain management issue, and no promises are made whether you will attain restoration of things you so loved to do. My injuries were substantial enough as described above I could no longer do some of those things like ski with our children. It depends on your case profile whether restoratives will fit the goals you have in mind.

I do know from these threads, one of our once and former posters KZLrogue is former Army and really enjoyed combatives, karate, and golf. She now enjoys those things again at last report. Each is built according to their own blueprint. You and your Doc can have a deep conversation about potentialities for return. Give that conversation a whirl.......

All the best, :hug: :grouphug: