So happy that the trial proved successful! I'm pretty sure that if you report getting 50% or more of pain relief, then they will go ahead and schedule you for your permanent.
And no worries! I didn't feel a THING when they pulled out the trial leads!
The only thing felt was when they took off all that tape!!

I hope they schedule you ASAP so that you don't have to wait very long.
Just ask for your pain meds to have during the interim.

Oh please stick around and let us know how this unfolds for you!
I love reading about the excitement it brings when you get that taste of knowing that you can have a quality of life again!

Caring Always
Rae

I know I harp on this a lot, but I believe being forewarned is to be...well, you know.

MK Holman: the removal of the trial is pretty uneventful, usually just a tugging feeling and having to put up with the removal of the all the tape...may lose a few hairs here

What I do want to caution you about is that several of us, me included, found that after the trial was over our pre-trial pain increased and we literally counted the days until we got our permanent implants. I'm not sure exactly why the pain increased, probably a combination of being pain free for a while and them messing with the nerves when they put the trial in. Make sure you have pain meds. to fall back on and if you do experience increased pain and the pain meds. don't cover it, let your dr. know ASAP. Hopefully you'll get your permanent one in soon as it sounds like the trial was very good for you.

You guys were right on the money. The tape was the worst. I can't even put into words how much I miss the zapper. And you are right about the pain. I'm not sure if it's really worse or that I enjoyed the lack of pain so much that it was a shock to the system to have it back.
My Doc asst. said it may take 2-3 weeks to either get the surgery or to get approved. I'm not sure which. I was busy going back to normal. I can't wait until this is NOT the norm.
If anyone out there is questioning if they should try this or not. I gotta tell you it was worth it. Even if I don't get the permanent zapper I at least had a few really good days.

So glad to hear that the trial was a success.

Im thinking that if the trial was approved and successful then there should be no problem with the permanent one. I know when I was getting mine it was approved from both. I hope now too that you get a date ASAP because as you know the relief you got is amazing and worth it!!..

Good luck

Jackie

I've seen more times than not......unnecessary waiting due to mis-communication between the Dr office secretary and Insurance personnel.
Call your insurance carrier to verify that they've been contacted by your Dr office. Then call your Dr office just to 'check the status' of your procedure.

Operating Rooms can be VERY busy...... (chime in here Pooh!)
Just make sure you've got an actual 'time slot' with YOUR name on it!

Just wanted to throw this out there because I've seen too many times people waiting in frustration and not getting calls returned, etc etc etc....
Be polite and keep in 'good' with everyone....but don't be afraid to be a 'pest' if you feel you aren't getting any clear answers.

Caring
Rae

May your wait be short, and it was certainly thrilling to know of its great help to you while zapping!

Mark56

Congrats on the success of your trial MK!!! I always enjoy reliving that amazing experience vicariously with/through others.

Wishes for your comfort during the permanent implant waiting period

Best of Luck!!! Vanna

Rae is quiet right! OR rooms especially at hospitals that do implants are indeed busy. Even as a nurse I have fallen victim to many SNAFUs on my SCS journey: My 1st very nice well meaning pain doc made promises that could not be kept, however, when she discovered she could not keep these promises, she resorted to not returning phone calls, then when I persisted, the office manager called and basically threated me if I did not quit calling and harrassing the doctor. I pointed out that I was the patient, she has made promises I was not seeking meds and I was a RN. Later found out the "problem" was that the office had submited my info to my previous insurance company that was in their system from several years before, not my current ins, they did have the correct info on file was a "clerical error" However, I was the one who discovered the error by my own multiple phone calls to my ins co who the clinic INSISTED had the info and were holding up the works, was less then 2 weeks to approval once I called the above office manager and pointed to their error. There was never a we are sorry we messed up, just a here is a different doctor who will work better with you. Best thing they ever did 4 me!

I will try to keep on top of both the insurance and the Doc.

I have a strange question...I had a spot on my lower back that I thought was irritated by all the tape and the removal of it. But it turns out that I have a burn from the little computer thingy that the wires plugged into before they plugged into the battery.
Has anyone else had this? PLEASE tell me the permanent one will not burn me.
I didn't realize it was a burn until the Doctor's office was closed so I can't ask them.

Hi Mk

Hmmmm not sure bout the burning thing!!!

I know when I had my trial I had a lead that attached to the programmer, dont actually remember another box!

This is something you need to discuss with your doctor. I first would have though maybe the tape but if you say no then it should be investigated.

The battery and leads are all internal so I cant imagine you would get burning from that.....but go speak with your Dr

Jackie