Hi all,

I have a Medtronic system implanted and have an Itrel EZ 7434A hand held device.

I have noticed what I believe is a change in the LEDs on the back of the device but I can't find my patient user manual.

Does anyone have a scanned copy of the LED sequence that they could email me? I have searched the internet with no joy. I also don't want to bother my surgeon until I work out if there is actually a problem, as it may be that I am just having a blonde moment and the LEDs are perfectly normal!

I have tried contacting Medtronic in the UK and whilst they have been very pleasant, they have just referred me back to my surgeon.

Any help would be gratefully received!

Pharpar

Hi Pharpar

Im glad you visited this forum because some of the lovely people here do have a Medtronic System implanted like you.

I have an Ans St Judes model which was implanted 6 months.....

Im not exactly sure what your LED's actually do, is it that they tell you when your unit is on? or your changing a programme? or that you are recharging?
Have you noticed that your stimulation has changed, is it weaker or stronger? these are just some things that have sprung to mind while Im reading your post.
But as I say there are some great people here who will definitely be able to help you Im sure.

Unfortunately for me when I had a problem with my LED light two weeks ago it was on my Charger......and it wouldnt RECHARGE my battery hence I had to have a new battery replaced last week......

I do hope you get the answers here but if you dont you will definitely have to speak with your Surgeon or your Rep if they are available.....

Good luck

Jackie

It's good to have you!
I have a medtronic, but not the device you are referring to.
We'll sure keep a lookout tho....

I wonder..... if perhaps you could find your particular Itrel Model online....maybe the manual would be available for download, since you can't find your hardcopy? A shot in the dark perhaps...you did say that you've already tried searching the net tho.......

If you have a moment, we'd love to know how you are getting along with your unit? How long have you had it, etc? Getting good coverage?
We are always interested in how others are getting on with their units.

Wishing you the best!
Rae

Hi, Rae and Jackie, and thanks for your posts.

I've had the system since 2004, for RSD in my right wrist and hand. It helps some but I still have bad times when I need medication as well. Over the past year or so, I've also developed discomfort in my neck and shoulder on the right, which I think is from the pulsing. At times it's so bad that I have no alternative but to switch the system off. I've been back to the pain clinic and they showed me how to do self acupuncture which helped for a while but doesn't any more.

My partner rang Medtronic in the States last night (I'm in the UK) and told them the lack of response I'd had in the UK, so I got to talk to somebody. The LEDs on the back of the patient programmer indicate battery charge and they confirmed that the internal battery is getting low and needs replacing. I guess I now have to make the decision as to whether the pain relief is sufficient to warrant having the battery replaced, bearing in mind the neck and shoulder problems. I also get pulsing sensations where the battery is implanted and it can be quite uncomfortable at times, as if it turns.

It's great that this site exists - when I first had the implant, it was really difficult to find anyone to share experiences with, particularly here in the UK and particularly for upper limb problems.

If anyone has any questions, I'm happy to answer.

Best regards

Pip

Hi Pip

Im glad to got to speak with somone in relation to your LED lights and that you now know what is actually going on.

Its great to read that you have had 6/7 years life in your battery thats good to read. Im sorry though that you are experiencing such pain from the pulsing. I can understand why you would want to turn it off. Ive only mine implanted since Aug 2010 (Im in Ireland BTW so relatively new here for us)and occasionally I have turned mine off if I feel it a bit overwhelming.

But I suppose at this stage of your implant you should probably now try to find out what is actually going on with your neck and shoulder. Is it related to your SCS? is it another problem to cope with ? all these I suppose will need to be addressed. Its a big decision deciding whether to replace the battery and continue with the SCS and I hope that you get some answers very soon.

Take care

Jackie

Jackie's wisdom is right on point, to get into the doc and examine whether other issues are manifesting in the neck and shoulders before you make real decisions whether the battery replacement is worth the bother. As for me, I can tell you that were mine to go out on me I would be on it in a heartbeat with my doc as I have enjoyed such pain relief with the unit thus far. Mine is Boston Scientific.

May all go well with you,
Mark56

I love meeting folks from across the pond!
We actually have several here from the UK and Ireland!

So you have a cervical unit....
Jackie, Mark and I have lumbars.... you know I was wondering, since you have mentioned RSD.....
My 'official' diagnosis on my SCS surgical charts say 'RSD/CRPS'....yet I've been referring that horrid pain to more of a peripheral neuropathy type of thing......but I've been dealing with issues (especially lower back) that might indicate a possible spreading of the RSD.....
Has anyone made mention to you that this could be the case with your neck and right shoulder? Or is it a totally different type of pain/discomfort you are experiencing?

The possible RSD spreading in my case is brand new to me and I'm going to be talking to my Dr on this next week to see if indeed this might be what is going on. At first, it was lower back piercing pain....but as of late, it's been more of a 'burning' (all too familiar ) that seems to be trying to creep up in to my torso. Until now, that burning pain was only in my legs, of which, My SCS has done a wonderful job of covering over the pain....with exception of BT meds......

Do you think RSD could be spreading?
I'm going nuts over this prospect in my scenerio!

Glad you've found our forum. Please stick around! We truly do all we can in helping one another.
Like you said, it was very very difficult to find online discussions of SCS's....

Rae

Rae after just reading your last post it kinda popped something into MY HEAD now too!!!

Over the past few years Ive had this 'burning' at the top of my shoulder just where it attaches to my head you know the pain you would get if you had maybe a crick in your neck! or sitting at the computer for a long time?

But Ive noticed it has gotten worse lately for no apparent reason.......even if Ive just been out walking....now YOU have made me think!!! after what you said about RSD spreading.....I dont think mine is RSD more Neuropathic(and surgery related) but still..............hmmmmmmmmmmmm something I should probably be asking questions about.......see how much help you are here!

Jackie I didn't know you had this nagging pain going on.
Well, like I said, this is 'brand new' to me.....and I don't want to jump the gun, or get all over-dramatic about it, but it really helped me gain a bit more insight when I popped over to the Spinal forum here at NT.....

As a matter of fact, I will go over there and get the link to my thread from the Spinal forum..... I'll put it on your thread k.....
Yes, indeed this is something to think about.

I mean really. We all know that our spines and the nerves within are what connects our entire body. So, when something isn't 'right'....it's a matter of pinpointing what our pain signals are trying to say to us. Some of our nerves just simply go in to 'overdrive' ..... that 'fight or flight' thing.
Nerves are misfiring and we must find the reason.
I'm sick of just trying to cover over everything with meds.....I want to find the PROBLEM.
I'll be looking for a specialist very soon. I have some family matters I must attend to, but I'm dedicating the month of March to finding the 'right' specialist for whatever the heck it is that I need!!

wish me luck......

Gotcha Covered my friend. May your situation be fully discovered in these coming weeks.

Prayin,
Mark56:smileyp ray::smileypra y: