I see your thread sinking farther down the line......

Just wondered how it's going? Have you had to crank up the SCS? I sure hope those paralysis symptoms go away!!

I just re-read your last post and was wondering if perhaps a call to your Boston Sci Reps would be in order and ask indepth questions regarding these experiences you have elaborated on.......which, as you correctly point out, aren't really documented 'anywhere' and have not been discussed via medical personnel.....OR the Reps.

......With your charismatic style and background in legal advocating, they (Boston Sci MAY perhaps put you on staff after all! ) yes?

......need a "Mark" update, as I'm beginning to go into withdrawals here!

Caring, Caring, Caring
Rae

Yesterday was a full day networking still to seek life and new civilization where economically it was once before. Beam me up Scotty. No, I am not looking for an escapism, just the breakthrough in the employment market, and it does have a parallel to endeavors to find life on other planets.

Nice long conversation yesterday with a former colleague, and the network connection is established. So, yet another positive contact in the growing guild of Mark Eyes and Ears on Street across the western U.S.

Nice dinner last night with one of Cleo's high school friends who is in town for a conference from Alaska. She is based in and rides the small planes out of Unalakleet, AK, the town where the presently running Friday evening show, Flying Wild Alaska was shot. It is on Discovery Channel. Beautiful scenery and such. Amazing how remote they are up there! What a joy to see her here and have the two high school buddies hugging and displaying bright smiles!

So, yesterday was a pretty long day out for moi on stim, and admittedly after it was all said and done, I was on the edge of tolerance, needed a bit more on the stim. Got home cranked it up a bit, managed things OK, and then settled in for the night. I turn it down for sleep and had a hard time adjusting to just the right amplitude last night, about four tries until it was down enough I could let myself sleep, but strong enough to cover pain to get to sleep...... delicate balance, but not using meds for pain. Nope.

More networking today, tomorrow, and Friday. Still giving it the good effort. somewhere out there lies a place that needs the skill sets I have to offer.

More later,
Thanks for kicking my backside Rae.... yep we needed a more recent post,
Mark56

All day, that low burning, been turning up the stim, but wary of the effects of too strong a signal. So I missed Bible study this morn. Too bad, they are a good group of guys, among whom I am one of the youngest.

Tomorrow a new network connection to forge with a former colleague, so that oughta go well if the body cooperates. It will go well even if it doesn't cooperate. Gonna push it.

Enough for now,
You all be good to yourselves and family,
Mark56

Hmm.... that pain spike lasted a couple of days, just had to ramp up the stim, but went out to newtork nevertheless, and Yesterday, was a good, Very Good meeting in which I met with a former colleague. So, taking a look at the network public I have been assembling, a growing growing network. Eventually, this will pay off. Time well spent.

Movement, forward motion, making it,
Mark56

Clear through yesterday, but today, a bit better. Using more stim. Not liking this, but hey, they happen, and today was better. Actually went to the Museum for the pirate exhibit, and as it was SO much walking.... used my wheelchair. Tonight is better than last night.

Hang in there, and be tough,
Mark56

Hi Mark
Hoping this pain spike goes away soon! i was told by my rep before this was put in that i could expect maybe 7 days a month of break through pain. I remember at the time thinking that would be great 23 days without pain. But either way when we have these pain spikes i am so grateful for my scs because it makes you remember what life was like before scs. I am going to the church today to light a candle for friends of mine who are in russia meeting the baby they hope to adopt today so i will light a candle for you and all the other people on this forum that your pain spike calms down very soon!
cushion will be put to the test again tomorrow in my doctors waiting room! i really love how it looks like a laptop case because sometimes at my age you dont want to be carrying around a butt cushion but the fact that it looks like i am carrying my laptop has made it so much easier for me to just bring it with me to college and now my doctors visit!!

big hug from me!!

Now that was a SINCERE and APPRECIATED thought! I am doing better today, and I thank you for your involvement!

Truthfully speaking, I have not experienced breahthrough pain nearly as much as your rep predicts. It could have something to do with different manufactures, our pain profiles, the getting used to the units, a variety of things. But these pain spike episodes have certainly not been a "paste it on the calendar expected every month event" and for that I am especially grateful! Thank you, God!!

I do appreciate your comments about the cushion. Frankly, one of my design goals since I used to spend a lot of time in high stakes fianancial districts and law offices, travelling to and fro, I knew I did not like the "hey I've got a butt cushion here" announcement made by the stuff I could purchase, and this one will even fit in a briefcase. Time and again I have had people comment, "Oh, I thought you were carrying your laptop in there." So, I chalk that up to one criterion achieved. I do hope it continues to provide you comfort sitting! And besides, my doctors have bought into the idea and have our brochure stands in their offices, recommending it to others [even my wife's gyn doc.... so cool]. A BIG thank you to you!

That last assignment to turn in and a big trip coming your way! May all go well, and may your celebration of St. Paddy's with your family this year at the parade go wonderfully!!

Prayin,
Mark56 Bearz

Devestated by the end of my trial. I have been completly debilitated by return to the pain and have not found comfort with meds, rest, heat, etc I am having trouble wrapping my ead around why it is all so bad, why it has to be so painful. It all seems so overwhelming right now and I feel desperate and alone trapped in this broken, painful body. Today has been a bad day.

OOOOOO please please call your pain doc and report this! Unfortunatly all of us have experianced this overwhelming issue. It seemed to me that the pain gods took revenge on me for the relief I felt. When I have needed my units replaced it has been much the same. Many many dear dear people here have experianced what you are now. Please dont give up call your doc!
Gentle z

All of us who experienced a good trial approached the doc's office with trepidation for Trial's end, knowing the crushing defeating pain would return immediately with a vengeance. Twinmom, this is exactly what happened to me. Overwhelming BURNING PAIN was upon me as the leads were withdrawn from my back. Fortunately, though, we were there and under doc's supervision at that moment, because he saw infection at the insertion site and immediately prescribed antibiotics to avoid any possibility of infection travelling the superhighway of that transdermal penetration to the cord. So, overall it was a good thing that my Trial came to end so the infection was caught in time.

Your situation is SO hard right now, and you definitely need the interim benefit of your doctor prescribed pain management medication to try to help until permanent implant. I had the benefit also at time of an interferential stimulation unit [described to me as a TENS unit on steroids], so I turned that thing up as much as it would go and with my meds waited for the permanent date to arrive.

It will come for you if you and your professionals all determined the implant was a success on Trial basis. Just a matter of insurance and calendaring, then you will be there! Take it easy, try to rest, and endure. In the meantime, I will be praying for you.

Prayin,
Mark56z Bigz