We need a well documented Cervical thread, so GO FOR IT!! So cool, and you have my vote.

Two days!! Hope you are gonna love it!! I knew right away. Maybe you too!

Prayin for ya,
Mark56

Rrae sent me your way! I have both a cervical and lumbar stimulator. I see your original thread was questioning the difference between Boston and Medtronic devices. Unfortunately, I cannot help you in that area because i have ANS St. Jude implants (which I love!!!!!). I wish you luck on your decision making. You are smart to research and in the end, I say go with your 'gut'. What I can help you with is suggestions while going through the trial and/or implantation surgery. Healing from the cervical implant had some differences from recovery of the lumbar.

Best of Luck to you!!! Vanna

Actually Vanna I AM getting the ANS St. Jude Implant!!...lol...My story is simular to Mark's I was given the Medtronic information packet and there fore assumed that that was what I would be getting but come to find out last Weds. that I will be getting the ANS from St. Jude and I have a wonderful rep from there that will be helping me throughout the whole process.

If you can give me your experience with your unit and how your trial went I would GREATLY APPRECIATE IT!!

Thank you so much for posting. I look forward to hearing how your trial went for you and how the implant has helped.
's
Treca

Well Ive finally found some of you who are getting the ANS St Judes stimulator.

I too have one in my left butt, so to speak.....Trial was over before I knew it and the staff(I am in Dublin, Ireland so Im sure its TOTALLY different here to the States) but they were just fantastic. I had the Rep come over from the UK and she stayed with me all through the trial and then when it was to be implanted, the Rep returned and again was with me all through the actual operation for the implant.
I find my unit great too. At times I have to turn it up way high to cover the aggravating pain I get in my back...Im hoping that on Thurs 27th I will be reprogrammed with one that addresses all the areas I need covering.

Good luck with the trial Treca

Jackie

Hi all,

I've read through these threads a number of times looking for some personal stories of recoveries from the SCS permanent surgery and this site has been great. I recently turned 27 and developed CRPS in my left hand/arm after a snowboarding accident and surgery.

I have a wonderful PM and he also has an in house SCS programmer, one of the only I'm told. That was an invaluable tool during my SCS trial. I will be going with the Boston Scientific mini rechargeable unit, actually getting my surgery next week. I've got a good idea what to expect recovery wise from reading up and a little experience with the trial.

My thing has been the pain in between the trial and waiting for my permanent has been even more excruciating than it was before. All the nervey-burns are back in full force and it's making it pretty rough. Any advice on this, beyond loading up on more pain meds? I've cut out my multivitamins due to the surges I've been having the past few months, but thought I'd ask... and also say hi!

I appreciate you all telling your stories, it has helped me navigate through this tough time!

-colorado

Boston Sci????? That is music to my ears! I have the little Blessing and have been using it non-stop since June 2010! Frankly, it has given me my life back, and the absolute best part was the fact of being allowed to program myself..... Jatana Spine was my surgery practice, and HOW GREAT THEY ARE!!!!!

OK, here are the disclaimers... no I do not receive commissions from Boston Sci.... no I do not get any kickers for plugging my doc... I just feel BLESSINGS for having had the benefit of their wise intervention in my pain management case.

Best of all.. I was able to withdraw completely from pain management meds!!
So, does anyone have a clue why I feel Blessed?
I thought so,
Mark56

P.S. Prayin for ya Colorado! And, my snow finally melted off the hatchback of my car today.... I guess things are a warmin up!

Welcome Aboard!

It's great to have you!
Oh yes, the interim between taking out the trial and waiting for the permanent can be very daunting. I'm so glad to hear you will be getting it done next week!

I'm so sorry you are battling that nasty crps, at your young age especially. Hopefully the SCS will be a smashing success in your pain management so you can get your quality of life back!

Please keep us posted!

Caring,
Rae

I have an ans/st. Jude implant and I love mine. I don't even limp anymore. Well I get a little drag if I walk for long periods. I have rsd in all four extremities and my back incision, but it's med controlled in hands and back by topomax and legs are controlled by good ol Sheldon. (my scs) I, too am weaning down from opioids. I am 6 weeks post revision due to a nasty fall at work that dislodged my lead. My original implant was on 7/10/12. I still take robaxin and norco a couple of times of day, but just heading back to work has caused a spike in pain. Anyway, everyone's tips are great! I've been twice as careful this time due to the fall. I was very nervous, but I was fine. The pain is pretty much gone, and that was worth two surgeries and the pulmonary emboli!

TK

Hi all, I'm seriously thinking of getting the Boston Scientific SCS device implanted within a couple of months. I have a paralized (and very painful) right arm from a motorcycle accident MANY years ago -- a brachial plexus injury. After reading many of your posts, I'm concerned about the recovery time, and especially the time immediately after the operation. My wife is planning to travel and I'm wondering how many days (weeks??) after the operation will I be able to do the basics of making meals etc? Or put another way, should I plan to be totally dependent on someone for a while?
I believe I would be getting leads and not a saddle as some of you have described and the device would be placed below thew waist somewhere in the buttocks (not sure if that's the best place???). Anyway, I would appreciate any past experience and advice that you might share with me.

Mine is implanted in the thoracic spine at T8/T9, paddle leads laid in through laminectomy to the space near the spinal cord. Since leads or paddles are needful of electric current to function at all, a wire harness is laid through my muscle tissue along the spine from that position to the below waist hip location of my generator.

The generator location takes advantage of body fat to cushion its presence [a good thing if you want a bit of comfort], and it is thus easily accessible to the recharge sequence so I can apply the recharge unit to my skin and receive the charge necessary transdermally to keep the unit running mighty fine.

Immediate post surgery recovery was 2 to 4 weeks. For the first 2 weeks I was very careful about Doing Things. Pain from surgery lessened, and as time progressed, I was able to do More through that 4 week marker.

Thank you for asking,
Ask away if there are more questions,
Yup,