Hi everyone,

I dropped in occasionally at OBT from the TOS forum. I have bilateral TOS and RSD/CRPS type II with central sensitization. I had the ketamine treatment in-hospital with Dr Schwartzman a year ago, followed by boosters through May. It was a good experience, with about 40-50% relief, but this wore off mostly by March/April and completely by July. My insurance co. also declined to pay for any of it, although they didn't make that decision til well after the fact. I'm aware of the coma treatment but it's not for me.

Since my pain levels are high, and I live in a community that does a poor job when it comes to RXing opiod pain meds for chronic pain, I have decided to try an SCS for pain relief. I will go in on the 29th for the trial implant, and will have the leads in for three days to see if it will work for me, giving better than 50% pain relief in both hands, arms and underarms. If it does, I will have a permanent unit implanted.

This unit is not from MedTronic, I want to say it's something like Boston Scientific? Anyway, it's really small, just a bit bigger than a matchbook, and is rechargeable, with a 9-10 year battery life expectancy. You recharge the battery once a week for 30 minutes, like a cell phone. (The implant is placed in the butt, and to recharge you sit on this blue cushion!)

I was wondering, if anyone has had an SCS surgery, can you tell me anything about it? Pain-wise? Recovery tips? I know you can't bend or turn, lift, etc, til the leads are scarred down, but how hard will that be while taking care of 2 kids? (They're older now, thank goodness - 11 and 15) Any advice or info the Drs don't tell you wd be appreciated!

beth