Originally Posted by smae

Hey there.

I have a question for those of you who have had your SCS for a while and have had a reprogramming already.

I know that the purpose is to change the programs and get something that covers your pain better, etc.

But I am a bit curious about one thing.

In the last three or so days, I have turned my stimulator from 2.3 to 5.1 and am rising several notches each day (it goes up by .1--not sure if all companies are the same).

Now, with my Boston Scientific remote I can change several settings.. not just the level/intensity, which is all I could control during the trial (which was Medtronic). Now I can also control the width and the rate--and maybe something else. I can't remember off hand.. but even though there are only 4 programs, I can change a LOT of different things.

My question is this: Right now I am working my way up to the maximum level/intensity quite quickly. I am thrilled because it is slowly starting to cover some more of my pain. As I increase, the pain is slowly easing up.. not a ton, but a bit. I can't just go up 10 notches immediately... but I can go up every few hours and then it is slowly becoming controllable. So when you go to get reprogrammed, can you be set so that the new program is a stronger/more intense program... or is it a case where, once I hit the top line for these 4 programs, I cannot go up any more?

That doesn't make much sense to me in my mind.. that they would create something with such a low limit. One month after surgery and I am already steadily climbing to the middle of this program. So my hope is that when I need reprogramming, that I will have more options and be able to get more relief once I have reached the maximum for these programs.

Can someone out there clear that up for me? Thanks! Hope everyone is having a great weekend so far and staying warm. We're having a big blizzard, but that is nothing new. Glad I have a warm home to be in.