My trial has been going so well,.... it has been a Godsend this week. After the major soreness subsided the buzzing in my back was like sunshine. lol

The rep called again today, since i go back tommarrow & told me that since the trial is going so well he is going to talk to the pain dr & surgeon & get me in as soon as possible. I actually was hoping for a few weeks at least to come to terms with the permanant implant.

Quick question tho: I go back tomarrow morning for the wires to be removed. Does that hurt or is it just creepy? thanks,

jan

Jan, please please be prepared for a possible major flair of your pain once your trial is removed. This is a "normal" thing. However many of us have been unprepared for this, do not be afraid to take your meds and be sure to let your doc know if you need more.
z

No, it did not hurt for me. I was awake for the removal and they did feel kind of strange coming down my back (they were located in my upper neck). The worst part is them peeling off all the tape that holds the dressings on and then having to lay still and be cold while they put the steristrips on. I finally used goo-gone to get the left over adhesive off of my back because my clothes were sticking to it.

I did have to wait about a month to get the permanant unit implanted due to waiting on WC approval and then an opening in the doctor's schedule. That gave me time to go out and buy some low cut yoga pants that I have lived in until this week. Yesterday I wore a pair of jeans for 6 hours and today wore dress pants to church!!
Lisa

A major flair of pain because of the trial irritation or the normal pain coming back full force>?

What is a steristrip? Like a bandaid over the "holes"? thank you

jan

Thank you for the advice about the yoga pants.....It's not something you really think of until you are told. thanks again

When the unit is disabled/turned off as they start removing stuff, you are likely to immediately feel the old burning pain with which you are acquainted. That is what Pooh meant. Expect this. Be prepared with your pain meds as prescribed, because all of a SUDDEN you will be re-acquainted with your nemesis. I BURNED immediately upon the shut down of the Trial device. That was the only bad thing about having the Trial removed for me.[there is no FIRES OF HADES smilie on the more list].

The process of removal of the wires for me was an ever so brief tug of wires feeling, and they were out. Then steri-strips [sterile adhesive strips] could be placed over your holes to hold them closed, or a bandaid, as in my case could be applied [I never knew if it had a funny face on it or anything].

Now as to Yoga pants, well, I reckon that is one of those lady folk things, so I just went on to my sweats, because they are loose. Hey Lisa, GLAD you could dress up again for church today..... that is cool!

It will go OK for you, and we'll pray you get that permanent soonish!
Mark56Z

Thank you for all the replies to my questions. They took the wires out this morning & it felt like a spasm in my spine as the wire came out.

But good news ,, The dr. said my permanant stim. is being put in on April 27th. Nervous! He asked my where i wanted the battery pack , either in the upper butt or where the wires go in. He said that would be one less insicion. ...

Now I just read up on SCS & wait till the 27th!!

jan

You present an interesting question Jan! Mine is mounted in my right hip and is readily accessible for recharging and controlling. Depending on your placement and the point where the wires go in, you could have a bit of difficulty both charging and controlling the unit. For instance, mine has paddles placed on my spinal cord in the T8-T9 space due to a laminectomy, and this for the purpose of controlling nerve pain from my lumbar to legs.... and I am quite happy with this arrangement. I charge by placing the charger on my right hip every now and again, and I control by aiming the remote control at my right hip. Importantly, I can see the screen on my remote as I am making adjustments. If it was placed in my mid-back both charging and controlling would be difficult if not impossible, thus the question, where will your wires enter?

Glad you are making forward strides!
Mark56

Mine was implanted about a month ago. Cervical scs for RSD in my hand/arm and the battery is placed in the lower left side of my back, above my butt. I have a Medtronics unit and have an antenna attached to the remote. I put the antenna over the battery then use the remote. I do wish now that my Dr and I had discussed where to put it more.

patty

Thank you Mark56. I am glad there are people here that will share their knowledge of what they have experienced with the scs. It has been a tremendous help finding this forum.
I was going to tell the dr. to just use one insicion for the battery but you make a very strong point for not putting it in that location.
I am going to discuss other "points of interest" with the dr. I dont see him again until the implant on the 27th, so he will have to be open to me changing my mind.

I also lived iin Colorado for about 15 years. I really do miss it. The mountain drives with the kids, the water. It is just a expensive state!!! Of course going to see John Elway play was pretty cool too.

thanks again for all your wisdom in this forum all... I really wish the 27th was here.

jan

Your wait will soon be over, and the days pre-surgery will arrive when the labwork must be done, and you have at least a final meeting with your surgeon's P.A. to go over the surgery, the check in, any final questions you have. It would be good even before that date, if you have good communication with your doc's office to at least speak by phone regarding the questions you may have now regarding positioning of the unit. This, because OR time is often scheduled in advance contemplating specific outline of the procedure. The doc will assuredly want to know if you have had a change of heart about the incision or incisions before the date arrives.

So you were out here Rocky Mountain High in Colorado at one time. I do recognize the cost of life here is excessive, but both my wife and I were raised out here and all of our children the same. When we went to Kansas for law school, my wife and I felt this longing for some interruption of the horizon to the west...... alas, there was nothing but rolling prairie. We have mountains in our blood.

Soon, you will make those first steps in for registration on the date of your surgery....... soon, and then hopefully all will be well.

Prayin Jan,
Mark56Z