Saffy you really need to be careful for the first 6/8 weeks. Each of us are individual and will obviously deal with the pain and discomfort in our own way. But you must be careful in regards, bending, stretching your arms up over your head, so for instance while you want to wash your hair, maybe get your husband/partner to do that for you while you try to lean in over the sink or bath. I used the bath, knelt down and leaned over slightly while my husband washed my hair. You cant shower for about 4 weeks....thats to heal up the incisions and keep it dry. So thats a bit of a 'pain' but you get over that. Also if you drop something, use a grabber if you can, or use the nearest person to you to pick it up for you. Dont carry anything heavier than 5lbs!!! I couldnt even carry the kettle to fill with water because I found it too much of a pull on my back. So I was basically waited on hand and foot!!....mind you after about 3 weeks the novelty was wearing off. Especially when I noticed the dust and fluff meeting me as I came in the door! BUT and thats a BIG BUT, I just had to ignore it and call on someone else to pick it up.

I wont say it was easy, it wasnt, but if you take it handy for those few weeks, then the chances of your leads and battery scarring in and staying put are far greater. Im not a person who likes to sit around I love being up and about, so I found it very hard. But I tried to be quiet as long as possible.

So do whatever you need doing that you think you wont be able to do afterwards....(does that makes sense) and then when its all over RELAX!!!! and enjoy being looked after because once that period is over....they forget believe me

Good luck

Jackie

Today Is day 3 after my surgery.... I am very sore, but the pain meds help alot . The Dr. also prescribed some valium for muscle spasms. This the first time I have every taken them & am very surprised how well they calm my back..

I am not really doing much, just taking it easy. Surprised also how much pain i DON'T have. I need to get out to buy a grabber for picking items up off the floor. It is something i wish i had bought ahead of time..

One thing i have been wondering about , has anyone else had depression following the surgery? It has been only 3 days & things are going wonderfully, but i am so weepy! Like pms. lol.

Thank Goodness for the info. in this forum...

Jan 75 degrees today... spring is here!!!!

Three days post surgery- wow! May all go well with you my friend. Yes, a grabber is a good thing to have. Those depressive days you are experiencing, I did not experience, and then went into a DEEP depression requiring counselling and medication right after I had fully withdrawn from all of the pain meds. I did not experience a "pms" style depression right after surgery [but, then, I am a guy].

Prayin for ya,
Mark56zzz

I'm so happy to hear you are not feeling the pain as you did prior!

I've battled depression in all it's various stages it seems.....
I do remember that the anesthesia used (even tho only a twilight daze) had me feeling rather 'strange' for a few days after the procedure and I just wasn't myself at all.
Or maybe the valium has this as a side effect....?
Or could be a little bit of everything, you know...you've been thru an awful lot....and being 'laid up', not able to do much might have your endorphins in low gear.

I watched alot of humor on TV and tried to surround myself with things that make me happy....and of course this forum

I'm sure you'll have the blues kicked in no time.

Try not to 'isolate' yourself too much....I made that mistake and paid dearly for it. It has a way of drawing a person deeper into that 'dark cloud'....

Mark knows exactly what I mean.....and several others here.
We're always here for ya. Just know that ok!

Rae

Yes your exactly right.. Probally the antethsisia, or the valium, or just the surgery.. I was too close to see the reason.. You guys have been a great help . thanks

jan

Jan I recently had to have my faulty battery belonging to my SCS replaced in February. The procedure went off as planned but when I got home I was SOOO down in the dumps. Didnt know what was wrong with me. I would cry at the slightest thing. And yes definitely bordering on PMS but it lasted with me about 2 weeks. I wasnt feeling great either. I put it down to the medication and the anaestetic also. It takes a while for the anaestetic to wear off. So dont worry Im sure it will pass. Like Rae said, surround yourself with happy stuff.......and take it easy too

Jackie

Gosh Jan ... so good of you to get on here and say HELLO.

You think; it's been a huge build up to getting this stim and learning that it indeed helps ... all those emotions you have had prior to the op, the relief of knowing that it's helping .. it's like an almightly comedown in a way. You are emotionally relaxing and lots of stuff can come flooding through your head.

Regarding the Valium .. (Diazepam?) Are you taking this just when needed or so many times a day? They do say not to take for more than 2 weeks as it is very addictive, so be wary. I take it for back spasm and it certainly helps .. but the Doctor put me on 5mg three times a day and I don't stick to that, I just take it if I really need it .. and rest.

I'm having to take Tramadol 100mg every four hours at the moment. I was only taking it when needed, but because of having to drive over to see my Mum and help her out as much as I can (doing things I dont do at home because I know I'll end up having a flare up), I'm having to keep on top of the pain with extra meds. (And off to the Doctor on Wednesday for something stronger to help me keep going whilst my Mum needs me)

Keep coming on here if you feel low .. someone will always be about to help and try and cheer you up .. but sometimes you just may want to cry it out .. do so, it's a release.

I have some apps by an amazing man called Andrew Johnson .. if you have an I Pod or MP3 Player he has a truly excellent relaxation app called "Relax". He's Scottish .. and has the most wonderful relaxing voice I've heard in a long time. Truly recommend him!

http://www.withandrewjohnson.com/

By the way .. no one read my blog .. I have not felt like updating it in an age .. I really must do as I am intending to video myself as I go along through this stim pre op status and so on.

((((Saffy)))) That was SUCH good input!
I needed to hear it! Thank you!

Andrew Johnson! wow! I LOVE 'Scottish-ness'
Craig Ferguson is my fave commedian and I record his "Late Late Show" every night on my DVD.

Sometimes I feel like I belong in the UK......and/or Ireland (oh how the greenery shines like an emerald!)
.....Am I saying this because of my friends here? why yes
But I genuinely DO love Brittish humor......all the way back to Monty Python.
When I would get together with my little brother years back.....we would delve into Monty Python silly-ness and act like the biggest KOOKS you ever did see! Oh how I miss that! This is the type of stuff I target on TV when I sit and re-charge my unit.....
.....Guess I should start digging around in my 'left pocket' again.....I feel like I've been such a stick in the mud. Going thru mid-life crisis I guess...

Rae

Aww Rrae .. I'm glad I got a smile out of you .. that's reward enough isn't it?!

I've just lit the BBQ (in gale force winds .. go me!) so will pop on tomorrow ... DO look for that guy Rrae .. you will LOVE his voice !