Hi everyone! As you all know I had my battery fixed for the second time. It now is sticking out at the top. I can actually grap the top and hold it with my thimb on top and finger on back. I am so tired of this . Will you please tell me if you don't mind were you have your battery and to the degree you can feel it through the skin. Like if you rub over it and just feel the edges or is there a very noticable line like a big dip or ridge. Thanks for all the answers as I try to figure out were to put it or take it out. i also posted on the SCS forum. Just trying to figure it out. Thank You!

Okay ab176...

I just rubbed over the top of my battery..it is pretty smooth feeling under my skin, located on my left hip siad..although the top right corner does stick out a bit but not a problem..The area is tender over the top...I do have a dip in my skin like a protrusion going up my back, mid way up along my spine, I believe that is where they removed some of the bone..but it just looks ugly..it does not bother me either..

Let me know whatelse I can do for you....

Hugz, kathy

My battery is in my stomach area and yes I can feel the entire thing!!!! Quite lovely when the pool opens ,but I do not even care anymore. Oh and you can also see the wires from my spine all of the way around to my battery!!! The battery area gets sensitive at times so I put a lidocain patch over it. Hope this helps-Fondly-Carol

I had my battery relocated in my hip last Fall after it had been installed for five years and slipped due to normal "wear and tear" had become acutely painful. Here is what I have learned. I hope it is helpful information.

The success of an SCS implant, including the battery, depends in great part upon the number of surgeries and experience your physician has. If you have concerns about your battery location, you may want to seek a second opinion with a physician with significant experience performing implant surgery about whether relocating it again would provide benefit to you.

In order to place the battery, the surgeon makes what he calls a three-corner pocket. It should be deep enough that when the flap is sutured over your battery, the battery is not easily felt through the skin. If you are very thin, or experience a significant weight gain/loss, however, it is possible that the battery can be felt if you press your hand to your hip.

The real question is your quality of life. It sounds like your battery is in a location where there is not enough fat to insulate it, which means it should be able to be relocated to a new pocket higher on your hip below your belt. This will make it much more comfortable. From what you describe, I would have a discussion with my surgeon about relocating your battery again (ugh!) or seek a consult with another surgeon.

The new batteries are so small that yours should be tucked away, pain-free. I am sorry that you are having difficulties, but I can relate to your challenges.

Best wishes to you!

Thanks skooz This is what I don't get. My doctor is the leading implant specialist in the area. He actually helped Medtronics design there latest lead. He is in his 70's and has many years of experience. He has a very high like 99% success rate. I am fat have tons of it on my back but it seems like every time he does it, it is too close to the edge of a roll that it sticks out the top of it. When the surgeryis over it always looks flat and tucked in and then when the swelling goes down I look like a freak with a broken bone bulging under the skin. He doesn't understand why and feels that I am to active after surgery. I can't just sit down and not move for six weeks. I have a 7 and 6 year old. If thats what it takes I guess I'll have to remove it unless he thinks that below the beltline would allow more movement without hurting the placement. Don't get me wrong I don't go all crazy after its done doing things. But I have to bend over, and that is my major no no. How can you tie your shoes without bending over. When your home alone all day you might just have to bend. Thanks again I will ask him about the butt cheek and see what he thinks. Thanks so much.

I have great empathy for your challenges with your recovery, having two children myself. I was surprised with the significant pain and impact on my mobility my battery relocation surgery had. My recovery took an unexpected six weeks. In my case, the difficult recovery was a great investment because of the ability to sit that I gained when my battery that had slipped over the years was relocated.

I would ask your doctor about the possibility of relocating yours below your beltline. The sacrifice of another surgery and recovery might yield long-term comfort. If you do elect another surgery, here's a suggestion for a medication to get you through the first eight to twelve weeks of recovery - Fentanyl transdermal patches. They were a lifesaver for me. You apply a patch in a convenient location, i.e. your arm, and it lasts for 48 hrs. Initially, I wore one non-stop. After the first two weeks, my doctor gave me a small supply to use on an as-needed basis, for example if I had a flare at the battery site or needed to ride in the car with the kids for an extended period. I knew I could manage the pain when my mommy duty called.

I hope your doctor is sensitive to your concerns and will help you evaluate your options. It is a challenge to us all to be a mom with RSD.

Regarding the Fentanyl Patches! YES!
I too consider them part of my saving grace......it is powerful medicine and not for everyone.....but it might be something to run by your doctor......
especially since you are having so many set-backs.....


Rae