Hello Jan!
As far as the pain (from the procedure), it is only temporary...
The main goal in getting the SCS is to get back a quality of life.....

What type of back pain do you suffer from?

I know you've weeded thru alot of posts.....here is a very informative link that may be of help in walking you thru the process and what is involved.

Check this out:
http://www.nationalpainfoundation.or...e-technologies

Do you feel confident in the doctor who will be doing this?
Has he done alot of these?
These questions are paramount as to whether or not you're likely to have a successful outcome.
If he's experienced and good at doing these, he'll make sure you are 'numbed up' ......

I'm getting an uneasy feeling about this guy - since he doesn't seem to be offering you much information.
Maybe you do have alot of confidence in him....yes? no? If so, perhaps I'm just not picking up on that....but I really do feel it's priority that you feel like you're putting your spine in competent hands

Like Mark explains, it's the communication that is KEY. Your Dr has to get those leads in the precise spot......and then the Rep has to know if you are getting the stimulation exactly where you need it. They will depend on you to communicate this to them.....

Keep us posted!
Rae

Hi Jan, I had my trial this past December and a permanent implant in late January. I was sedated heavily while they were placing the leads ( it is for RSD arm pain so they had to go all the way up my back to my neck), and then they "woke me" for a short period of time while the doctor and rep found the sweet spot. It was somewhat uncomfortable while they were doing this, but as soon as they found the correct spot, I was back asleep. The higher they go in your back, the more nerves they encounter and neck placement can be difficult. Before the procedure, I ask my doctor what I needed to know, and he gave me so much good information and really prepared me for the procedure. When I woke up, the rep fine tuned the unit some more. I had two large dressings on my back, and my back was very tender after the trial procedure. Percocet seemed to help with that.
The worst thing was that I had to try to keep my head and neck still, and NO SHOWER for a week. Then they had to take all the tape off that they had stuck all over me. I would recommend soft pants to wear to the procedure and have enough at home afterwards. I have found low-cut yoga pants have worked best for me. Even though I am way over the age for junior clothing, I found the best ones in the juniors' department at Kohl's for about $14.99. Let me know if you need any more info, but I am really glad I did this. I have drastically reduced my medication, and have been a little bit more active since SCS. Lisa

Thank you for this!
Your doctor (and the rest of the medical team/Reps) sound like real winners!
Wish they ALL could be like this!!

This is great to read!

Thank you for all the replies. I really appreciate the time you take to help people out.



I trust my Dr. completely.. I admit he is not the greatest on aftercare, but i trust him with my spine. I have not heard of a rep mentioned at all until i read the posts here, .?

Last month when i went to my pain dr. I told him i was at the point that something more had to be done about the burning in my back. I am 49 & do not want to spend the rest of my life on narcotics. That was when he suggested the Stimulator. I found the psych exam to be much easier than anticipated. I wish i would have found this forum before I went , because there was nothing to be afraid of.. lol D.r condensed the 1 hr follow up visit to 5 min, saying there was nothing to be said besides everything is normal.. It is soooo good to hear that.

Right now I am just waiting until the 23rd to do the trial... Thank you all for listening.

Jan

Sounds as though you are in a good place at present. You may not actually meet the rep until the day of the Trial, and this is not unusual at all.

May all be well with you,
Mark56

I just was reading threw a few dozen more posts before i went to bed. I have to leave for kansas city at 4:30 in the morninig... Don't know if i can wake up that early..

I will hopefully be back home by 11 . Keep me in your thoughts for tommarows trial.. Thank you.

jan

Wow, that country is just crawling with extended family of mine. Anyway, I am sending up prayers that your trial so quickly arranged and now upon you goes well and that you learn whether the device is right for you...... I even venture as far as to hope for you that your Trial brings to you what it brought to me, a light at the end of the tunnel which was not a train headed my way! Right away, I knew the pain was being managed by the device and I wanted that permanent so badly.

Praying for you,
Mark56Z