Loss of feeling in upper back
 

I went in for revision surgery two weeks ago, and it turned out to be much more invasive than the first time. I had to do have three laminectomies and a ton of scar tissue scraped out, etc., to allow for the paddle to be moved. Now I am numb across my entire upper back. It feels a lot like my jaw does after I've been injected with novacaine at the dentist. What's really getting to me is at times it will be itching like crazy but when I scratch it, I can't feel my own scratching so I get no relief. Is this normal? Will I get feeling back or is this a sign of permanent nerve damage and just the way it's going to be?

Did everyone else get immediate relief from their stimulators? I've had it programmed again twice since the revision and still have not gotten any relief at all. Obviously, I got none from the first implantation which is why I had the revision. Has anyone else had the situation where there was zero relief for a few weeks until it started working? I really don't want to have to go for a third surgery.

Hi Arvella
 

I am so sorry to read of your traumatic revision and follow on situation.

I have not experienced the situation of loss/lack of stim from the SCS unit.

The phenomenon we may share is the loss of sensation in the nervous system affecting an area of the body. I have, since a lami/discectomy/fusion years back never regained feeling below my knees. The family keeps an eye on my because I have picked up glass and the like in my feet as they are numb and I have been unaware. That weird "itching" ghost sensation I have very definitely experienced, and it seems to be akin to those who feel "something" related to an amputated body part so they cannot be itching in said part. I have responded to a "feeling" of the need to scratch a supposed itch to the point I caused abrasion and bleeding on my lower legs. I have had to just refrain from "scratching the itch" since it cannot be itching me any longer.

Prayin you regain sensation in full, that your SCS is, through healing, restored to full functionality, and that you have peace. :hug:

Hi Arvella,

I'm sorry you are having troubles and have had to endure a revision so soon. Regarding the Novocaine feeling and itchiness - this is usually a good sign even though it is annoying. Over the next 6 months to a year the area of numbness should get smaller or even disappear completely. Anytime you have an incision unfortunately some nerves are sacrificed but, in that area there aren't any big peripheral nerves that would cause long term problems or other ill effects. The itchiness goes away much more quickly but for the life of me I cannot recall how long that took. If the itchiness is really bothersome you could try lidoderm patches or some of the medicated creams. Light massage or even just gentle touching of this area will help stimulate healing and lesson the annoyance much more quickly.

As far as relief goes. For me it was instant but that doesn't mean the relief was 100%.. I am getting most of the time about 50% pain reduction and sometimes a bit more and sometimes a bit less. One thing you could do to truly see if you are getting any relief at all is to turn it off for a while or turn it up farther than what your baseline setting has been. Are you able to change the hertz on your unit? I think they often set it at 60 but, for me it is better to have different buzz sensations throughout the day rather than only one.. as it almost feels like my body gets used to any one setting if left the same for to long.

I do hope you find relief soon,
Tessa

Thanks for the information about the numbness. I'll see if I can find some kind of cream for it. Do you have any idea what might work? Unfortunately, it's right between my shoulder blades and really hard for me to reach, but I'm glad to know this will probably go away with time.

I already did the experiment where I turned the unit off and just relied on pain meds and then stopped the pain meds and just relied on the SCS. Unfortunately, it quickly became clear the only relief I've gotten since the surgery is completely due to the pain meds which I never had before. I have no idea why my doctor never offered them to me before because I certainly would have been much more mobile all these months if I had had them. The SCS unit just can't seem to hit the right spot so the relief from that is 0% so far no matter what setting or program I use at the moment. Hopefully the next programming session will be able to change location enough to get it.

I'm still not entirely sure what all was done during the surgery as I never got a chance to talk to the surgeon afterwards and it turned out to be nothing at all like what was planned for beforehand. I'm always amazed at the difference in quality between my vet versus human doctors. After I bring my dog or cat to the vet, I always get a phone call within the next day or two asking how they're doing, to schedule to have their stitches taken out, etc. After what I consider fairly major surgery, I'm just sent home with a generic checklist and no follow up care whatsoever unless I initiate it. And when I do have a question, I have to play voicemail roulette and feel like the person on the other end has no idea what I'm talking about or really answers my questions.

Ever so nicely said
 

It be told by this relentless one I will have all
MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED LIKE IT OR NOT
AND ALL THE NAMES OF ANYONE ASSIGINED
TO ME
AND TO ASK THEM TO CLEAN THERE
HANDS USING NO GLOVES
OH HECK I HAD TO SPEAK UP

Someone who cares

Very well said, Arvella. Ain't this the sad truth? Tho there are the 'good' ones who truly care about their patients and the post op......but, too many times I hear of this and it is one of my biggest pet peeves. I guess the doctors just hand us over to the company reps and call it good.
There is something wrong with this picture! :eek:

I feel for you and I hope that things will get straightened out by your next visit.

Rae
:grouphug: