Spent time today with my two remotes as I had myself all confused as a result of having played around with them too much. Having 8 programs can be a little too much, so I took Mark's advice and sat down with pen/paper and tried them all out. Think I've come across the best programs for now.

What's weird is how the cervical leads are affecting my lower body. For instance, when I slouch, I can feel the stimulation increase in my upper legs. Something else that's happening is that when I cough or sneeze, the cervical stimulation in my neck or one of my arms temporarily increases. All rather odd and unexpected sensations to get accustomed to.

The Lidocaine strips around my incision sites are making a big difference. The first day they hurt horribly but after I put the lidocaine strips close by, it cut the incision pain down by a good 70%. I'm so glad that someone on another forum (sorry....I'm a lurker in other forums :lookaround:) mentioned that they used them and I was able to get my PCP write a rx. for them in case I needed them.

Get to recharge my implants for the first time this Thurs. Even though my remotes are showing I don't need to, the rep. advised me to get into the habit of doing it on a weekly basis until I have my programs finally set and have a better idea of how long a charge will last me.

I've noticed something that's rather odd, possibly a side benefit of having these implants. I feel that emotionally I'm not as edgy, or irritable or as easily frustrated as usual. Maybe it's a result of my body having less pain to deal with? Did/has anyone else has this happen to them? It's like my body is breathing one big sigh of relief. I actually enjoy being around myself these days...hopefully my husband can say the same:D

Fiona.....how great.........
 

:)
Fiona....how great to hear that you are getting some relief now from your pain and also your incision sites. These early days are very trying. Im nearly 3 weeks over mine now and its only now Im getting some relief around the incision sites. I get quite 'stiff' at times.

I have the SCS in my lower back and I also get these odd sensations elsewhere when I move in different directions. If I stand up the sensations rushes to my feet and its the oddest feeling ever trying to walk :winky: If I lean forward or arch my back it can send the SCS wild!!! and often I have to turn it down somewhat:Dits a matter of getting used to it Im sure.

Im sure it must be quite confusing with 2 remotes to handle all the programmes. One is bad enough:confused:
In my package there is a diary. So each day I write down which programmes(I have 5 at present)that I am using for that day . What level of pain I have ( 0-10)while I have the implant on. What amplitute I have the progamme at and how I feel while having this programme on, eg, comfortable, uncomfortable , relaxed, in pain, etc. I can then go back and check what I had each day and how I felt with each programme. Which then means I dont have to trawl thru all of them again to see which one suits me better when I lie down, or walk, or sleep. I hope that helps a bit.

I too feel very 'relaxed' since I got my implant. With me I feel at long last there is light at the end of the tunnel. Why oh why didnt I have this years ago!! Its still new to me and early days but I definitely feel more 'me'. Im hoping that in time I will be able to get rid of my meds too, like Mark, and get back to leading a ' normal' life again pain free, or at least as pain free as I can get. I hope that you will get to a stage where you too are at ease with your pain:)

Jackie:grouphug:

Thanks, Jackie. I have to admit that I haven't looked in my SCS boxes to see if they have a diary in there to keep. I know there was one in the trial boxes. I came home from the hospital with 4 boxes (2 were for remotes and 2 were for the rechargers) and felt a little overwhelmed with the stack of boxes, so just sorted through what was duplicate and pitched the rest. Will look and see if there is a diary as you have. Would certainly make it a lot easier to track from day to day.

I think I remember reading somewhere that as time goes on and the scarring gets better than we won't feel the changes in sensation as much when we move...am I right?

Glad to hear you, too, are getting positive results. You are a few weeks ahead of me so I'll be watching your progress and learning from you as I'm sure we're both doing with Mark.

Hi Fiona
 

Hi Fiona

I think after a while , as you say, once the healing process is over etc, that it should 'settle down'. Well Ive heard, from my rep, that the tissues will grow around the leads and will stop them from actually moving around, Im sure thats why the sensation changes. But at times , OH MY GOD, Ive literally been jumping because Ive moved, or esp when I go to bed after having it lovely and relaxing while Im on the couch and WALLOP I lie down and I nearly hit the roof, (not literally:winky:)

Im 3 weeks tomorrow!!(Thursday) although I do find this convalescense a tad BORING!!! I like to be control and with not being able to drive , dont bend, dont do this dont do that approach Im cracking :D, Im told I should ENJOY all the attention, yeah right, so roll on OCTOBER 5th....thats my 8 weeks over :wink:

Im not surprised you just chucked those boxes aside. I came home with 2 and between all the wires and straps for the charger were daunting enough. But over time and when your feeling a bit stronger Im sure you will delve in. I love all the literature that comes with gadgets. Even if its just a new iron ahem....now sad is that....so I got stuck in asap:winky:

Its great to hear everyones stories and those who are ahead of us and how much they have progressed, its terrific. Its great to read the updates:)

Take care

Jackie:hug:

How are the Twins?
 

Hi Fiona-

I have been thinking of you, praying for you, hoping you at last have some better rest as you strive to sleep. Anyway, I have read of your work to come to grips with the dual remotes. Hope that is evening out. So, how are the twins?

Mark56 PJ :)

The twins are certainly there. Is weird to reach back and feel them, but also reassuring. Fortunately they both don't need recharged at the same time or I'd look like a gunslinger at the OK Corral :cowboy2:

I had my first post-surgery follow-up yesterday. All incisions are looking good. The rep. spent some time reprogamming my lumbar remote but we decided to leave the cervical one alone as I wasn't sure where/if I needed better coverage. Is a lot to focus on having two remotes.

Today, however, I'm not so sure the reprograming of the lumbar was that beneficial. Fortunately he left the remote with the program that I had originally found to be most useful right after surgery, so I'm playing around with the new programs to see if any of them achieves the desired effect. Unfortunately I'm finding that being on the "wrong" setting or strength can make me sore so I have to allow time for that soreness to dissipate before I can try something else. Sometimes feels like a crap shoot.:Dunno:

Tried to drive yesterday but found that my driver's foot was feeling sore after a short time so husband took over. Enjoyed being driven around but concerned about why driver's foot is problematic. Can't say for sure if it's due to the new reprogramming as it was the first time I tried to drive since before surgery.

My next appt. isn't for another month so not sure if I'm to just give my body another month to heal and talk to the rep. next time I'm scheduled to go in, or if I should make a special appt. to go in before that to just see the rep and go over my programming again. :confused:

Any thoughts, anyone?

Go for it!!!
 

Hi Fiona:)

Good to hear that you are finally getting to grips with your remotes.

As regards making appointments.....Im nearly 4 weeks (THurs)over surgery and Ive had a couple of appointments for wound reviews. Im meeting with my Consultant again on Friday for another review. I asked him a few weeks ago when I would see the rep to get 'reprogrammed'. He said he would be over 'sometime' in September (as he has to come from Great Britain). But in the meantime I wanted to get some more relief from stim and use its full potential so I rang my Consultants secretary to schedule an appointment as early as possible as I definitely need my stim reprogrammed. Its working great when sitting /lying but not too effective when Im walking. So lo and behold, I got an appointment for Thurs 9th Sept woohooooo:D So Im really pleased.

I think if I was you Fiona that I definitely would ask for another appointment if your not happy with the programmes given. I take it its easy to get an appointment? With me as I live in Ireland I have to wait til the reps come over from GB which is approx every 4/6 weeks. If you feel that a month is a long time and you might get more relief if you were tweaked some more, then go for it:hug:

By the way you drive???:confused: I was told I cant drive for approx 6/8 weeks. I feel like a prisoner in my house at times:( My husband is good for driving me around and also my daughter, although she has her new baby so tied up a lot, but there is nothing like having your freedom whenever you want!!........

Jackie

Hi Jackie...I was told I could drive when I felt up to it...I think they meant that it wouldn't damage the implants in any way, not that I would "feel" up to driving right away. I just tried driving yesterday out of curiosity to see how I'd do. Think it'll still be a while for me to feel up to driving. They did warn me not to look over my shoulder when driving, as I mentioned previously.

Mark...when did you first drive, post-surgery? How did you do? How far did you drive?

You Gun-Slinger You!!
 

Man Fiona, I must say I am AMAZED at how far you've come in this short time! I feel like such a weenie, as I recall the first time I rode (not drove) out to check the horses (hubby was driving) but ohhhhhmyyyy Lordy have mercy each and every bump in the road felt like my body was ripping apart! :eek:......... so i got a pile of Danielle Steele books (large print :o) at a garage sale and became a homebody for the next couple of weeks until i felt 'tough' enuf to start driving the kids to school again.

Hat's off to you! You are comin right along
We better send out a special secret service 'posse' to keep you and Mark and Charles in line, or next thing ya know y'all will be doing skydiving......just make sure Mark doesn't pack your parachute :ROTFLMAO::icon_eek:

Good on you! Fiona
 

Thats interesting about you driving, my goodness. Ive only just started to go out for my walks and trying to get used to that. I still have some discomfort around the incision sites but I also feel some pain higher up in my back:confused:not sure if thats maybe where the leads end:eek: but it has 'caught' me a couple of times. I asked my Consultant whether I could drive, but he said no. To leave it for 6/8 weeks and once Im fully recuperated. As it is I dont drive that much anyway, as I find it too uncomfortable. Plus I cant look behind me I have to use my mirrors and I depend on them a lot. So taking my time now! :) Its not like I have the energy to go out much anyway:D