[Lisa in Ohio]

Hi All, I am about 4 weeks past my permanent implant surgery and am having trouble with the unit. It was implanted in the top of my left buttock, and it just seems to wiggle around a lot. When it does this it causes a lot of pain, and the last time it was time to recharge my battery i had a difficult time getting it to charge. I am also having trouble with my remote getting a signal. I have to hold it next to the unit site and sometimes it is still searching. I am also having trouble with the signal from the unit being very positional. I don't know if I am expecting too much too soon. I have been wearing yoga pants to keep the pressure off of my implant site, and really feel like a slob, but regular pants and jeans are impossible right now. I have read some of your posts and you all seem to be know quite a bit about this I was hoping for some sound advice. Thanks, Lisa

[Rrae]

So you finally DID get the SCS! I know that I read somewhere else here at NT that you were thinking in terms of getting one.....

I'm sorry that you are having some issues....
You know...the first thing that comes to my mind when I read what you are describing is that maybe your battery unit is loose in the 'pocket' and it is shifting.....I've heard of situations where the battery turnes and moves - as though it is trying to work it's way out (sounds 'creepy' I know )
But it can be easily remedied.
This might be why you are having trouble getting the signal when trying to charge....
Have you had a follow up recently? I'd call and have Dr look at it and make sure he's aware of this. If the battery moves too much, there could be the possibility of the leads coming loose (detached) from the IPG battery unit.
I'd get it checked as soon as you can...

You've had your unit for 4 weeks, right? Did it charge ok up til now?
Have you fallen or bumped it or anything like that?

Glad you popped over here!
It's good to hear from you!
Please stick around and let us know how this unfolds.
It's very possible that you just need an adjustment of sorts......especially if everything seemed ok up til now.
Has the unit brought you the pain relief you were hoping for?

Rae

[Mark56]

I just finished charging, saw your post Lisa, and was thinking along Rae's lines as well.... that the pocket in which your unit sits may need some adjustment. No doubt you have a surgical follow up appointment in about two weeks, but if the darn thing is wiggling around and signal is difficult or impossible to establish with either the remote or the charger, then it is time to call the doc and ask for the appointment to be moved up due to a possible problem. Shouldn't be a difficult analysis or fix, but something sure seems amiss in your situation. Best to ask the questions than try to sleep at night fretting about what may be wrong.

Hope you get your questions addressed very soon,
Mark56

[Patti_Christmas]

Hi Lisa! I just saw your post and thought I'd chime in with my experience. My battery was originally implanted on my side. Immediately after I noticed that it was poking out. Doctor wasn't overly concerned at that time, I continued to wear my lovely belly band (I actually wore it out!!!). Within a very short time, the battery rotated and was protruding about 1/2" out - I literally ran into a door knob with it!! I had trouble communicating with it and when I was in for one of many re-programs, the Medtronic rep could not get it all to communicate. Fortunately, it was in the off position at the time, so it was finally decided to move it. I have since started wondering if the first time I showed my doctor how it had moved if he could have manipulated it back into position.

I now have it in my upper buttock. It's been there since Dec 2. It moves still, sometimes my husband can even see the actual outline. I'm glad I can't see it because it would gross me out.

I would definitely talk to your doctor about it, especially if you are having communication problems. It's funny how the DVDs that we are given to watch never speaks of moving parts yet we all experience it.

Hi Lisa

Sorry to hear you are having trouble with your SCS and you only have it 4 weeks

This is definitely something that you need to address immediately. Definitely ring for an appointment and get your battery checked out.

I have my implant nearly 7 months now and a month ago my battery decided it wouldnt recharge for me. It never moved, everything was in its right place, as shown by xrays, but unfortunately for me I had to have the battery replaced. So the fact that you feel yours moving around a bit doesnt sound good and that you find it near impossible to recharge or programme.

I hope you get answers very soon and get this working properly for you and reap the benefits too....

Take care

Jackie

[fionab]

A possibility of it not charging could be that you still have inflammation from the surgery and the signals can't connect. I heal very slowly and for the first couple of months I had a hard time recharging due to the ongoing swelling/inflammation. I found a wierd position where the signal did connect and for quite a while had to keep it in that position. I had to lay a certain way and my husband taped the heck out of it to keep it in place but it finally did charge. Just make sure you shave first as I lost a lot of hair when he pulled all that tape off

[keep smilin]

Originally Posted by fionab

A possibility of it not charging could be that you still have inflammation from the surgery and the signals can't connect. I heal very slowly and for the first couple of months I had a hard time recharging due to the ongoing swelling/inflammation. I found a wierd position where the signal did connect and for quite a while had to keep it in that position. I had to lay a certain way and my husband taped the heck out of it to keep it in place but it finally did charge. Just make sure you shave first as I lost a lot of hair when he pulled all that tape off

Lisa..

So sorry to read this but don't worry.. just please, I agree, call your Dr. Possibly because it is still relatively early since your implantation..it will eventually seed itself but I'd feel better having you hear that from your Dr...mine has always sat obiedently in one spot.. Let us know how you are doing..

hugz, Kathy

[RhondaIndy]

Hi Lisa!

I'm definitely in agreement with others here. I've had my SCS for a little over a year and never had my IPG sliding around in the pocket. My neurosurgeon always told me if I had any issues or questions, don't hesitate to call.

You need to call.

Take care,

Rhonda

[Mark56]

Please make the call Lisa!

Caring,
Mark56

[Lisa in Ohio]

Thanks so much for all the good advice. I do have an appointment scheduled on the 17th and reprograming then too. I am just trying to take it easy for a while. I am getting some pretty good relief from it. I have been able to stop all of the percocet and am currently weaning off of the Avinza. I have also been able to stop wearing my wrist brace for much of the time. All of this is pretty amazing after all this time (over 8 years). I did have to go back to school right after the surgery which was tough, but I have finally gotten my degree. I really appreciate all of your stories here and had read many of them prior to the implant. It is wonderful to be able to "talk" to people who are dealing with some of the same problems that you are having. God Bless all of your for your caring and sharing, Lisa