Hi all.. it's been a hectic couple of weeks here! Reed had his SCS trial and it went great! he was actually walking after the initial soreness eased. Apparently, he was feeling too good, because the doc said he overdone it a bit and moved the leads somewhat lol. We were just amazed and so thankful that it worked so well. The swelling and color were even better. Reed's PM doc said it couldn't have gone better. He has requested approval for the implant, and is hoping that it can be done next week.
Reed's really disappointed now that the trial is gone because his leg is back to "normal"..but he's really looking forward to having the implant.
I hope everyone is doing well, I haven't had time to catch up on the posts.
Hugs to all and hopefully I will be back on soon!

Awesome!!!!! I'm so happy to hear Reed did so well. Hope he get the permanent one in really soon!

Hugs,

Karen

Great news Rita!

I am happy for you both. Hopefully they will get speedy approval for his implant. Please tell Reid to take it easy and allow time for proper healing. I've heard some real horror stories about people leads moving, making revision surgery necessary.



EJ

Hi Rita and Reed,
Great news! So happy to hear of the relief from the trial! Yes, Yes, Yes, take it easy. My husband has had a couple of back surgeries, I nearly had to tie him to the bed. Please let us know how it goes when you get a chance. You must be so exciting, everything looks so promising, what a relief. Take care, Loretta

Yay, that's great news!! I am so pleased for both you and Reed and I really hope Reed can get the implant real soon!!
Please keep us all updated when you can and I am keeping you both in my thoughts. Before you know it, Reed will be back to his old self and doing all of the things he loves to do!
Love, Alison

Thank you all for your kind words and good wishes. Reed isn't feeling so great at the moment.. he was really liking walking again..so it's hard for him to be back to limping around or on crutches. But, we both know it won't be long till he'll be walking again, for good this time! We are waiting to hear from the WC for final approval and to make sure his back brace is ready by Wednesday. His PM doc won't do the surgery unless his brace is there and waiting for him, so we'll see. Just hoping now that it doesn't have to be postponed. He's SO ready for surgery day, counting down to it, so if it's postponed, he's going to be really down.
But I know everything is going to be just fine, and he's going to do great. Please keep Reed in your thoughts and prayers, and I hope everyone is doing well. Hugs to you all!

Reed had his implant done on Wednesday! yaaay!! The docs office had told us Tuesday evening that he wouldn't be able to have it, because WC hadnt approved it yet, and they couldn't hold the OR without approval. I went to work on Wednesday morning and at 10:30 am reed called and said "come home now, they've just approved it and Doc caught an open slot in the OR!" so I rushed home, luckily Reed hadn't had any food or anything yet, and we got in the car and drove 1 1/2 hours to the hospital! His surgery lasted a little over 2 hours, and he has around 30 staples in his back. He's extremely sore, and a little grumpy..lol.. but he's going back on Tuesday I believe to get the SCS reprogrammed. His staples will come out on Friday or Monday. I'm just so thankful that everything went well, and he can tell already that hes getting relief, even though the programming wasn't the greatest due to him being groggy and lying on the operating table.
Now begins the good stuff! Doc says after 3 to 4 months, the leads will be completely scarred in and Reed can begin some rehab. He hasn't had PT yet because RSD isn't his only problem. Some of his pain comes from the damaged foot and leg itself. His doc says there is quite a bit of permanent damage to tissue and bone that the SCS simply can't help. So, he still has to be very careful of everything he does, because his leg is very weak and still damaged, and even a little stumble and sprained ankle can cause a spread of RSD.
Doc says he will never be 100% again, but if he can walk, he's thrilled and can live with being a little off..he's always been a little off anyway!
He may always walk with a limp, even a cane. He may always be on meds. But he can walk! It's amazing how many thing we take for granted until we no longer have them. i hope everyone is having a blessed day, and sorry for rambling on!

Hi Rita

Glad to hear your husband is doing ok!!!!

I have a couple questions if you don't mind me asking???

Did your husband have to see a neuropsychologist prior to his SCS trial/implant? (if anyone else has an answer please let me know)

I am told I need to see a neuropsychologist but no one is telling what for.
I do not understand what is going on.

Did they tell you and your husband that he will be able to go off all his medications once the SCS is working to where he needs it?

Thanks
Summer

Hi Summer,
Yes , Reed did have to see a psych. Every prospective SCS patient has to see one and have an evaluation. From what the psych told Reed, they want to make sure you are emotionally able to handle having a device implanted in your body and they want to gauge your anxiety and depression. Reed said it wasn't bad at all. He was asked alot of questions and had to fill out one of those silly tests that ask if you ever hear voices in your head and so forth.
As far as meds, Reed's doc said he wasn't going to lie, that Reed will probably always be on meds. But the hope is to be able to discontinue narcotics someday, since they are the most dangerous as far as addiction. The biggest thing for Reed is to be able to walk again, without debilitating pain. hope this helps!
Rita