Well, I am at the 5 week point after the implant. I took an additional week off from work because I am was still have a great deal of back/muscle pain from the surgery. This has been the my first week back to work...although I am working half days and am hoping to go to full days next week.

I still am experiencing a great deal of muscle/back pain. It feels as though someone has their hands around my ribs and is squeezing and if I move a certain way, I get a sharp pain in my back (a little lower than the incision area on the left side usually). The doctors did tests for blood clots and to make sure that my lung did not collapse or that my ribs didn't rupture anything so I am thinking it is muscle issues. The doctor also told me that it could be because I have the stimulator on too high. (I have used a tens unit before so I was thinking that the higher the better but apparently lower can be just as good since it is internal.) Good to know!

I think it will take awhile to feel normal again from the surgery. As far as the stimulator, I have had to have it reprogrammed numerous times so I really haven't felt like I can determine if it is truly working or not because of the inconsistency. However, my doctor is fantastic about reprogramming it and really takes the time to work with me. Although I don't think she is as happy with the coverage. Although, she did not say that to me....just a gut feeling I got from her non verbal reactions when trying to reprogram it. Time will tell. I'm just going to take one day at a time and hope for the best.

Thank you SO much for the update! You've been on my heart and now I see why!
Sounds like you're having a time of it right now

BUT! remind yourself that your surgery was wayyy beyond just the simple percutanous lead implant......you had bone removed and the whole kitandkaboodle!! Try not to get discouraged at this point! Your body has been thru aLOT.

Plus, you ARE tough ..... that i DO know!

I do recall my rep making a big issue while she was setting my programs that she wanted to make SURE the stimulation didn't get into the abdominal area and produce a 'pulling' sensation...... this kinda sounds like what you are describing about the sensation at your ribs.
She did a simple adjustment in the settings to avoid this.

I know you've already had several re-programming sessions, but I'm hoping it's a simple adjustment they can do to get rid of that 'grabbing' feeling...

Also, which of the 'pulse rate' settings do you find most comfortable? I notice that when I set it to the slower rate, it produces a 'thumping' feeling that can get pretty intense, so i turn UP the rate to get more of a consistent 'buzzing vibration'.
I'm still not sure how to set the "amptitude" parameter, or the pulse width.....maybe these still need tweeked?
So, maybe since you had used the TENS unit a certain way, you may be using settings that are too high for you right now while your body is still fragile and vulnerable from the intense surgery.
Maybe try keeping the stim down pretty low for now until your body gets stronger? I have no idea what I'm talking about to tell the truth, but these are thoughts that are coming to mind as I put myself in your shoes.......
I sure don't want to see you get discouraged.

I just know this is gonna work out for you......it's just that you've been thru the most intense type of implant that I know of, so .......
Dang, I wish you could tolerate pain meds better....at least that would keep you more comfortable while you're working this out.
Hang in there my friend.......you've got a Dr who's really looking out for you.....I'm just wondering about the programming......they'll find the right ones for you, but I sure wish it would be SOOON!

Rae

Thanks Rae!!

You do totally know what you are talking about, and I so appreciate your kind words and support!! Now, who's the one that needs to be talked down! LOL!!!

My doc and I have been trying different pulse rates and different programs so I just have to be patient......not one of my strong points!! It will get better. I just have to remind myself that it's only been 5 weeks! I wish I could tolerate better pain meds as well, but it is what it is. I'm going to focus on the future and getting better because it could be a heck of a lot worse!! The glass is always half full!!!

Take care and God bless!!

OMG! I had the same prob. after my paddle lead was place in T5-7 with the Medtronic Rep. Directly after the surgery he was asking me question after question, I literally could not give any answers that made sense, and he made it obvious he was irritated. My husband then took it to the nurse and the Surgeon who did it, needless to say, they flew a diff. one up for the next visit. How the heck do they get paid well for treating patients like crap. You know they'd understand if they were in your place just coming out of this major procedure. I've had my double paddle lead in for two months and just got moved back to my higher doses of pain meds bc the pain is still very much there, it just doesn't last as long. Nice to hear someone elses view point of the rep right after surgery. But, I'm sorry you had to go through it. this is something that is so hard to explain to spouses, family etc. of the life altering situation we are now in. Thus, its a blessing I think to have found this site w/so much understanding and verbal support.

I was hoping you'd connect with kzlrogue! That was the first person that came to mind when i saw your post! Hopefully
kzlrogue will be by soon! She is fantastic!

kzlrogue and Leesa, thank you for your posts.... your testimony as to the benefits and potential detriments to following through with the SCS procedures. I have told my physiatrist would do trial implant and that I would be "in trial" for a period of 7 days. One forewarning I have received has been precisely the issue touched on with Leesa; namely, the restrictions of activity during the trial period.

Before I was injured in a car wreck, I used to be very, well...... upon reconsideration, VERY active. You know the routine, dancing with my wife [oh how I loved that- and I had taken lessons to boot], alpine skiing, hiking the Rockies, riding my now dusty mountain bike many miles a day, and then the more sedate fishing, home improvements [do it yourself style], and the like. I would like to be able to recapture some of those now lost activity opportunities, and it just seems that trying to do some [well, with doctor's concurrence] of those activities even if reigned in a bit would not only be a goal for a patient post-operatively, but a bit "in trial" so as to gain understanding whether in a real life application the full SCS implant would be efficatious.

Gosh, I just wanna get on the dance floor with my wife again.

Well, anyway, thank you for posting,
Mark56

Mark,

I totally hear you about being active before the pain! I was in the military so being physically active was an everyday activity for me. I also use to play competitive volleyball 3 -4 nights a week and on weekends as well as work out in a gym on a regular basis so being sedetary is really hard. My best advice to you during your trial is to have it in as long as you can. I would think 7 days would be long enough to determine if it truly works. I only had mine in for about 3 days. I had a lot of incision pain with the trial so I was not able to be that active. They told me I couldn't lift or twist but they said I could walk and try to do as much as possible. They don't want you to twist or lift because there is nothing really securing the leads during the trial. There was one patient who played tennis during the trial and as you can guess, the leads moved so he had to have them repositioned. My determining factor in deciding to get the permanent was after I had the leads taken out. I could tell a difference afterwards. Without the stimulator on, all the pain came rushing back.....and fast! Now, don't get me wrong. I still had some pain during the trial (minus the incision pain) but I noticed it a lot more after the leads were taken out. My husband also noticed that I walked better during the trial so have your wife evaluate you as well. It's amazing what they pick up and see that we don't because we're so concentrated on the pain.

Good luck with the trial and please keep us informed!! Personally, I would try dancing with your wife during the trial. I would maybe wait until at least the 4th or 5th day into the trial so you have a feel of it and can see if it works for you and maybe something like the fox trot instead of the tango. LOL!!

This entire group here is fabulous. I informed my husband of how exciting this is for me. Maybe it'll mean he hears less from me as I've finally found the perfect place where I can explain what I'm feeling and help others.
Thank you for welcoming me as fast and kindly as you did, you have a dynamic energy and very positive outlook that comes through your writing. What strength we all build going through the ups and downs that bring us this far.

Now if ONLY that were true to my REAL life ! ha!

It's so great to have you.....I'm so glad you found this forum.
You are the ones bringing it to real LIFE!

Good Luck with everything
We'll be in touch!
Rae

During your trial ! Take HEED to these PROFOUND words of
wisdom ! ....
When you come home, with all that tape all over your back......
put ONE more bit of tape where your cord is dangling as an extra measure of 'reinforcement' against thy elements that will jump out at you as you pass by .....doorknobs......ect.....
I can guaranteeeee you will snag your cord!!! That extra reinforcement you placed there will make you feel like Einstein didn't have a CLUE when it came to true wisdom....
Believe me.

P.S. You WILLL dance with your wife again !
Without a doubt.......