Ok, so the stimulator works great for pain. However, I overdid it on Tuesday and needed to lay in bed on Wednesday.

Plus, as I was saying in another post, you have to be so careful about movement.

Last night my knee started acting up (painful even though being stimulated), when turning up the pulse, it turned up the pulse everywhere else too, so I just had to take my pain pills and that made me slightly comfortable. With the permanent they will be able to make it so I can choose stimulation only to knee or hip or back etc - that will be nice. Right now it's just a trial.

THIS PART BECOMES WAY TOO MUCH TMI - YOU MAY CHOOSE TO END IT HERE - AND I WILL JUST SAY I'VE TURNED THE TRIAL STIM OFF. HOWEVER, IF YOU'D LIKE TO KEEP READING - I'VE WARNED YOU.

Today however, became a little more drama. It has been difficult to wipe myself after peeing, today I had a bowel movement and having to wipe twisted me too much. I turned on my stim because my knee acted up slightly and realized that my pulse was now going down my left leg into my left foot (not my right where it belongs) and I have a muscle cramp that won't let go right above my left buttocks area, and it's slightly painful. So I turned off the stim because it is not helping where it belongs.

I WANT THE PERMANENT. I LIKE THE FACT THAT I WAS ABLE TO HAVE A LIFE. HOW AM I GOING TO WIPE MY OWN *** WHEN THAT TIME COMES WITHOUT RUINING MY FINAL STIM?????

I am a ball of tears today and am waiting cause now my knee will flare up and I am not looking forward to that.

Hey there!!

Im soo happy to hear that your stim works.. I have 2.. yes 2 and neither one works to my foot and ankle where my RSD is...

I totaly know where you are right now!! I did something similar and i did the same and turned it on again and it was down the wrong leg... well i dint want to call my doc up and drive almost 2 hours to say taht it was sometihng stupid.. so i turned it on and went to bed with it still on adn when i got up in the am... it was all "reset" it was going down the right leg and not the other. I think i got a muscle spasm trying not to twist too much but enough to clean up.. and got myself thinkin i got it screwed up that i was all tight all day.. I would just go to bed with it and see what it is like in the morning... then.. if its still not right.. to give your doc a call.

Just to reasure you .. you will be able to wipe your patootee once you get your permant one... they just tell you not to while you ahve the trial and the first couple weeks of the perm bc it has to scar down to the spinal canal areas .. after about a month you can twist and bend and everythng.. i mean you cant do gymnastics or stuff like that.. but almost be back to "normal"

Both my SCS and my PNS (peripheral stim) worked for 6 mos and then capotted..but my point is that even when they were working.. i was taking my pain pills to bc i did have break through pain in the beging and then i was off them for a couple mos ...but then had to go back on them, even havnig the revision surgeries for my SCS...

I hope i have helped ya.. and hope you a better day tomarrow!!

Amber

Christine.. so sorry that you are hurting today!! that your trial stimulator is acting up!! Now, don't go banging your head too muchj sweetie, as this is just the trial! I so wanted it to work for you hun! I am sending much needed your way.. and as for the wiping.. know what ya mean. this sucks! Love ya sweetie! Desi

Oh Amber, thank you so much for this response. It definitely helps in the moment. I am very much aware that I will still have breakthrough pain, I have spoken with many people with the SCS - I am sorry they stopped working for you. I have met someone who has had hers for 6-7 years and hers still works. She still has breakthrough pain, and it's bad. But it's still hopeful.

I will turn it back on for the rest of the day and night. Should I use a higher stimulation or keep it on low?

Again thanks, I want you to realize that you have become an angel to me especially at this time as I am a wreck.

Christine!!

I am soo glad that i can help! and am here anytime!! I have been there too and have come on here to get the same help you have!! just happy i was here!!

I would turn your stim on a lower end just to ease it bc you dont want to be zapped in the middle of the nite and that can tick it off again too! i would do a not a low so you can barely feel it but enough so you can feel it and will notice a difference if it lets up and goes into your right leg !

I still notice if i turn mine on and if i arch my back it will make the stimulation stronger and go every where its not... My scs even jiggles my bladder if i turn it high which i had to before they quit and i knew every bathroom in a 30 mile radius of me if i went shopping or sometihng! lol

Just lay low and try not to think about it too much.. you will be amazed on what your brain can do when you are in this state!! belelive me been there done that!!

Amber