Mostly positive SCS story
 

Condition is herniated disc lumbar plus arthritis lumbar.
ER 3/3/2014. In pain mgmt. Injections, meds, PT gave no relief.
Boston Scientific SCS trial successful. Permanent implant 6/23/2014. Really rough few days and still in slow recovery. Highly restricted activity for 3 more weeks. I am being good and following orders because I do not want to mess up what seems to be working for lumbar, hip, leg and foot pain.
I am hopeful that I will have found my magic bullet for horrid pain. I will probably never be off meds but now I can get out of bed and walk. I was bed ridden for over 4+ months. I have had severe back pain for many years but was always ambulatory until 3/3.
I was not allowed to turn the scs on until 7 days post surgery. Also, I am told the scs will give better results months from now when all swelling is down. I will never be out of pain but will thankfully take being functional.
I just felt a positive story was due re scs.

Thanks Mims70
 

You are so right....we do need to hear more of the positives.

My belief is that the more successful stories...the more people get on with their lives and we get less feed back.

Thanks for yours

HB

Would love to hear updates; especially when swelling is down and scs is functional.


Gerry

I will do Gerry. The nurse has me wearing a high waisted "Spanx" which is like a light girdle over the implanted battery to assist in reducing swelling. Mine is located in love handles on left side of back. It does not bother me.

I should also clarify. The implant was done on 6/23, the SCS was turned on with one pulse program on 6/30 and a second program (constant or rapid pulse) was added 7/14. The SCS is functional and giving relief.
The reason it was not turned on immediately is that when electricity is thrown into water it scatters. SCS is electrical, swelling is water. So, as swelling goes down the SCS current can be more precise.
I do deal with a change in level of intensity if changing positions. This is due to being less than one month from surgery and my having an extremely narrow space for the leads. I have learned to use this to my advantange by slightly arching my back while standing for more relief.
Also I should add that I have the paddles attached via laminectomy done by a neurosurgeon.

I should also clarify. The implant was done on 6/23, the SCS was turned on with one pulse program on 6/30 and a second program (constant or rapid pulse) was added 7/14. The SCS is functional and giving relief.
The reason it was not turned on immediately is that when electricity is thrown into water it scatters. SCS is electrical, swelling is water. So, as swelling goes down the SCS current can be more precise.
I do deal with a change in level of intensity if changing positions. This is due to being less than one month from surgery and my having an extremely narrow space for the leads. I have learned to use this to my advantange by slightly arching my back while standing for more relief.
Also I should add that I have the paddles attached via laminectomy done by a neurosurgeon.

Thanks for the all the info. The paddles seem to be less likely to migrate than the leads. The leads need the scarring to hold them in place. If they move; not likely to get the relief you need. Seems like you are well informed.

You have a great attitude and the expectations are not over the top. Often the meds are still needed; but sometimes can be lessened. Being able to be up and about is great news.


Gerry

I agree
You have been extremely informative
I have been following for a while
I believe paddles are the way to go
This is just my own opinion
You are a success story
May all go s m o o t h l y
Me

Update as promised
 

Four weeks and three days post surgery, implantation of Boston Scientific(BS) precision spectra SCS. I noted that as each few days passed that I was turning up the "volume" on the stimulator until today I hit 100% to get the same relief as 65% did after week one. Panic. Did this mean that the stimulator was losing it's touch? A phone call to BC counselor (some people call them reps) took away my fear. He stated that scar tissue is forming at the laminectomy/paddles site which makes the current, at its present setting, less effective. When I return on August 11 for adjustments, he will raise the stimulator's parameters or range (grasping for words here as this is all so new). The BS counselor said the early formation of scar tissue is good.
So, eleven more days of 17 restrictions which I will be able to shed little by little until Dec 23 when my six-month healing process is complete. patience.
Peace, Mims

Thanks once again for the info. Looking forward to learning how your August 11th adjustments work out for you. I would imagine it will take a few days to get familiar with the new settings, etc.

Wishing you all the "patience" you need.



Gerry