OK, so I ranted knowing my Knight in shining armor, Boston Scientific, with its Precision Plus SCS bringing me relief from chronic pain, providing pain management well. So the corporate armor is tarnished, the product does work, and ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PATIENT IS ALLOWED TO PROGRAM IT!

Enjoyed a full day of work yesterday AND dinner out with my blessing of a wife for Valentine's celebration. Beautiful... she is... such a blessing to me.

Glessed, happy, and better get ready for work!
later alligators,
nah you are not alligators, but you smile big like them when this stuff works
Praying for ALL,
Mark56

I'm so sad to hear of y'all having such tough programming issues. Mine is a St. Jude's and I've had at least five reprogramming instances that I can think of. They'll of course be there for my revision surgery next week as well.

(The revision is from a fall of mine before the SCS had scarred into place & is in no way indicative of the performance of my SCS, which was working quite well pre-fall.)

I just wanted to stop in and say what an inspiration you are! Your story and your desire to just be a good family man helps all of us. I hope that you can get some of your life back. I will keep you in my prayers and hope that the SCS pump can help you. ginnie

I am hoping for you the revision goes well,,,,,,, and my rant was more on the notion of folks not receiving service or even being allowed to touch the programming keys because the patient understands their pain so much better than any rep could possibly know..... got it out of my system. Profit is profit, patients are patients, and I can always pray for a better day when the patient is brought intimately into the involvement with their own programming. Hope does spring eternal, you know.

So grand to see your name again Peppermint! That was a thrill!
Prayin,
Mark56

How deeply I am touched by the visage of you reaching out to touch your computer screen as you pray for my, for my family, for us all. God grants us so many blessings, and it is ever true YOU my dear friend, are one of them.

Working and living and loving all of those who need love, praying for all who need prayer, and then last week I actually was on the dancefloor for a Valentine's dance at a local Grange Hall with my dear blessing of a wife. I would say I have much of life about which to be grateful and feel blessed.

Thankful to you and all who pray, and to God who hears and acts,
Mark56

I listen to this post because I have great empathy for those in severe pain, and or are dealing with pain in various ways.
Why exactly are SCS device users not allowed to program and fiddle with their on device? Wouldn't the pain patient be better able to tell what helps than some rep? Why do they do this?, and why is there this middle man to help? Is it about money?, or quality pain control.? I am trying to understand this issue and I don't. It just seems to me that this is a way to make money off a patient. They should at least allow you to "try" on your own to adjust your own implant. I need to understand this. Any comments would be appreciated. ginnie

Aww, thanks, Mark! That's so sweet of you. :-)

I guess I'm confused. I thought all of the programming was included in the price of the SCS, but honestly, I've never thought about it, since fortunately my insurance pays for everything.

Maybe it's just St. Jude's, or my local reps, but they make sure I have 5-6 different programs that I can rotate through for varied relief. With the added capability to adjust the strength & pulse of the nerve impulse, I personally feel that's enough for me, but I'm sure it depends on the particular patient.

Hi Peppermintpatty

I too have a St Judes and Ive just had a retweak today. And I think I might be getting places at last.....whereas before I couldnt get my lower back covered today we hit a new high and yep can feel something working in my lower back!

I do hope your revision goes well next week....Im sorry to hear that you had a fall......but Im sure once its over you will up and out again real soon....will be praying for you

Jackie

Do you know Ive never even THOUGHT about who pays for the retweaking sessions! I just assumed that it was part and parcel of the SCS.....never entered my head to ask about cost.....but wont be asking either unless someone mentions it to me

Thank you so much! I happily accept prayers. :-)

I'm so glad that you were final able to start feeling it working in your lower back. That must be a relief (seriously!!).