Thought I'd start a new thread. Got the authorization today so will probably get the trial implant next week. I've got mixed feelings about it...looking forward to getting pain relief, but after the pain increase I've been experiencing after the lumbar trial I had in May, I'm not looking forward to this trial ending. I'm still one hurting pup When the dr. was taking the lumbar trial cords out, I commented that I almost didn't show up for the appt. because it helped a lot and I didn't want to have it removed. He said that they've actually had to have the police go and bring patients in because they didn't want to give up the pain relief they were having on their trial. I can believe it. If it wasn't for the risk of infection I'd be tempted to skip town until the day came for the permanent implants I'll ask the dr. when I get the cervical trial about the whole vacation thing.

Yea Fionab-

One trial about complete and another up on calendar. Your desire not to let go of the pain relief of the trial is not unusual at all. I showed up to my Dr. appt for trial removal telling them I sure did want to keep it in [but it was infected and had to come out anyway], even so, it proved the point. I am right for permanent implant.

Still waiting,
Mark56

YEA for you!!!!

Great!! I'm happy for you! Just make sure that if they give you a bunch of restrictions during your trial, don't pay alot of attention to them!!! they gave me so many restrictions that I didn't get a good assessment of pain relief. So I thought the thing was taking almost all my pain away ~ why wouldn't I think so, since I wasn't doing anything. LOL. After I had the permanent implant put in, and started doing my regular routing after the healing period, WHOA!!! The pain hit me like a bull moose!! I turned the thing up full blast, and almost electrocuted myself!!! Then we re-programmed the darned thing, and that didn't work. I tried the stupid thing for 6 months, and had to have it removed, mostly for other reasons. (it started to work itself out of me, cause I wasn't big enough to hold it in ~ ICK)

So give it a good trial during the trial period. Who cares about their stupid restrictions!!! God bless and good luck! Hugs, Lee

The only restrictions I have followed the last 2 times were keeping the wounds clean and dry, dressing changes as ordered, and following the back precations as you dont want the leads to slip

Thanks for starting a new thread fionab ! We will all join in and help you 'bide the time'

Hopefully it won't be TOOO long.
Try to just continue reminding yourself of all these years of the pain you've endured.....so maybe that'll help make this interim seem a bit less painstaking.
I hope you have adequate pain meds on board while you wait.

My cervical trial is scheduled for this Weds., 6/9. Will have it in for a week...unless I did what I did during the lumbar trial... I told them after three days into the trial that it did help a lot, so they just went ahead and took it out rather than me returning 3 days later.

I've been living on dilaudid suppositories and phenergren suppositories for the last two weeks. Can't do the pills as they make me throw up. The suppository, while not a pleasant way to take meds., does help. My husband calls the phenergren suppos. my "chaser".

What I'm wondering is should I continue on my dilaudid/phenergren regimen or should I stop it tomorrow so I can get a true picture of whether the cervical trial helps? The only problem with stopping it is that my lumbar area/legs will resume their usual pain. Any thoughts/comments? Thanks