Since When did your ego get broken? Surely not here! Can your stim be adjusted to handle it?

Whaddya think?
Mark56

.....it's the button on the back of the controller.....it says 'auto eject'

This thread is an EXCELLENT one on the topic of paddles/leads.....

It's good to resurrect some of these older threads! They are FULL of good stuff!

Hope this helps Twinmom!

I haven't visited here in a while. But I'm now about seven months into my SCS implant. I mountain bike twice a week, averaging one six hour and one three hour ride per week, with 2,000 to 5,000 ft. of climbing. Three rides per week were too much. I have fallen off my bike dozens of times with no problems. So far I have not gone over the handlebars like I occasionally used to. That would probably spell trouble.

The SCS is not as effective while riding since my back is hunched a bit, which reduces the stimulation. But it certainly makes enough difference while not riding to justify the procedure. I have also gone back to my usual one hour weight workouts 3-4 times per week. I'm just careful about how much I bend my back.

Have a new mountain bike, and looking forward to giving it a go. I am still told to be careful, however. Been riding streets and such.

Thank you very much for your post and returning to give us a Hi, Sierra Nevada Mountain style,
Mark56

WOW! There probably is NO way I could get Wherewolf to believe me that HE crossed my mind when I typed a post earlier mentioning these 'active' fellas that have passed thru! HONEST! As I was typing that post....in the back of my mind I was thinking how cool it would be to hear an update!

I should know the answer to this question Wolf, if you're still here....
refresh my memory......did you get the laminectomy/paddles?
If not, then you've got some incredible anchors holding in your leads if they are only percutaneous.
You are ONE active fella!
I bet when you get home from riding and are able to just kick back and relax....that tingling stimulation just sooths you to the bone, yes?

When I've had a hectic day....I love to be able to just relax and feel that soothing sensation.....such a needed reward compared to that horrible burning/stabbing wretched pain!

Thank you so much for the update!
What a great treat for us!

Rae


....and Mark! a new bike for you! You will become 'ONE' with the mountain...... am i starting to sound like Jim Morrison?
far out man

No paddles for me.

So glad to hear Wherewolf that you are up and out and soooo active. Its great to read how far you have come since you received your SCS....and long may it continue

Jackie

My SCS allows me to stand in the shower, something that really used to bother me, especially after a bike ride.

I really wish that I would have found this board earlier, especially this thread.

I had the trial back in August of 2010. During the trial, I had really one day of good coverage because the leads kept migrating. I was seen daily during the trial because the coverage was sketchy at times.

Because of improvement the one day brought, my doctor recommended going ahead with the implant. It was my understanding that since they knew of the migration problem, that they were going to do a surgical lead placement where no paddle was installed, but the leads were fixed to the spinal column somehow instead of just being "free-floating". In Sept of 2010, I had the implant. However, it was not what I was expecting and turned out to be a total nightmare. The leads migrated, I had the chest wall sensations which was like a heart attack. I also had a problem with sensations in the wrong area, abdomen and surprise "jolts" that almost caused me to fall. I had uncontrollable muscle spasms, it also literally jolted me up off the examining table.

At that time, it was decided and discussed that surgical leads should be placed. My battery had also flipped and was sticking out (this started immediately after the surgery), and wasn't a concern to my doctor until my Medtronic rep and myself was unable to communicate with the device.

In Dec of 2010, the paddle was implanted, as well as the battery moved. I was told that with the paddle that there would be no migration, that the paddle was a more controlled, direct method. So far, I have found this not to be the case with me. Also, my RSD symptoms have increased and "moved" I am now suffering in my back, shoulders, arms and fingers. The swelling is still so great, that wearing clothes other then my pjs and my bras is torture. I hate going out or having people over because of the discomfort.

I would suggest anyone that is considering the paddle or just "free-floating" leads really research this. I also had concerns about allergic reactions, a I have a metal allergy. I did have the testing done, but I still question some of the materials. I also expressed concerns about having some of the boney part of my spine being cut away to attach the paddle as my ortho knee surgeon noted that my bones at the time removed my screws were extremely soft. The only answer I really got from my doctors was that it is a very small part and that I would be fine.

Well, currently, I'm not. I'm doing what they say, not bending, twisting, etc. Not lifting anything heavy and taking my meds as directed. I guess I see what tomorrow's injection and appointment brings.

Again, research and ask a lot of questions!