[nanspain]

hi, my names nan, i hav wondered, has anyone been able to go back to work once they've rec'vd the scs. scheduled for 5/10 to get the permanent, and still not sure what to expect before, during and after surgery...not to mention recovery, what do u think?

Originally Posted by nanspain

hi, my names nan, i hav wondered, has anyone been able to go back to work once they've rec'vd the scs. scheduled for 5/10 to get the permanent, and still not sure what to expect before, during and after surgery...not to mention recovery, what do u think?

Hi Nanspain

Good to meet you. You will find a wealth of information on this fantastic board. There are many many people who have had the permanent implant and benefitted from it.

I had mine done in August 2010 for lower back and leg pain (failed Back Syndrome)......I have had two failed spinal fusions, disectomy and other procedures to no avail. I do get some great relief in my legs with the SCS which I find very relaxing.

Im not sure exactly how you are feeling or where your pain is, but I suppose the first thing is to say is that its impossible to say if you would be able to go back to work until you are fully recovered from your implant. Everyone is different and everyone will have a different story to tell about their implant operation. Mine was not as bad as my spinal fusions, they were SORE!!! yes I did have some discomfort and it was important to listen to the Dr's and the Rep in your aftercare and precautions. Unfortunately I am unable to go back to work due to my back problem but as I say thats up to each individual as to what you work at and how you cope after the implant.

I do wish you the very best of luck with your forthcoming operation its only a few days away now!!!...so glad that you have found us here and please make sure that you read all the different posts as they all have lots and lots of information which Im sure will answer any questions you might have. Plus you will definitely get lots of other people coming on here too , to welcome you and to also answer whatever you ask.....

Take care

Jackie

[Rrae]

Hello! You've found a wonderful sight....

Like Jackie said, it's a very individualized treatment and we all have a unique story to tell.....

Here is a link that is VERY informative! I copy this in alot of posts because IMO this says it all...it expains every step of the way.
http://www.nationalpainfoundation.or...e-technologies

Check out the 'stickies' above......you'll find some good info there.

Best wishes for May 10th! So, did you do the trial first - to get an idea of what it will be like?
Please keep us posted!

Rae

[nanspain]

yes i did hav the trial, and like some of you i've had 2 failed spinal fusions L5S1, ddd, plus surgery to remove instrumentation, and a screw broke off in my back. its still there. all sorts of lower back ,hip, and leg pain. many o/p procedures, so at this point im lookin for a miracle.

[nanspain]

Originally Posted by Jackiey

Hi Nanspain

Good to meet you. You will find a wealth of information on this fantastic board. There are many many people who have had the permanent implant and benefitted from it.

I had mine done in August 2010 for lower back and leg pain (failed Back Syndrome)......I have had two failed spinal fusions, disectomy and other procedures to no avail. I do get some great relief in my legs with the SCS which I find very relaxing.

Im not sure exactly how you are feeling or where your pain is, but I suppose the first thing is to say is that its impossible to say if you would be able to go back to work until you are fully recovered from your implant. Everyone is different and everyone will have a different story to tell about their implant operation. Mine was not as bad as my spinal fusions, they were SORE!!! yes I did have some discomfort and it was important to listen to the Dr's and the Rep in your aftercare and precautions. Unfortunately I am unable to go back to work due to my back problem but as I say thats up to each individual as to what you work at and how you cope after the implant.

I do wish you the very best of luck with your forthcoming operation its only a few days away now!!!...so glad that you have found us here and please make sure that you read all the different posts as they all have lots and lots of information which Im sure will answer any questions you might have. Plus you will definitely get lots of other people coming on here too , to welcome you and to also answer whatever you ask.....

Take care

Jackie

thanks for that info, i have really been a bit nervous and its nice to ta lk with someone who knows exactly what im going through.

[nanspain]

Not quite sure if im doing this right but here i go...i have had 2 failed spinal fusions with the removal of instrumentation. countless o/p surgeries, many epid. injecs, along with DDD. Also, when my instrumen. was removed, a screw broke off in my back and wasnt able to be removed. all began back in 2002, and its been a long haul.

[Rrae]

Yep, you got the posting down pat!
There might be a bit of a delay in seeing your posts here until you get to a certain number (10 or something?)....and then you'll be a fully established member and will be able to send PM's (private messages) to any of us.
We're here for you

I'm so sorry about all that you've been thru....
Keep the faith, ok!

Rae

[Mark56]

You are now among friends who will gather around caring and yearning to help you as you approach this 5/10 permanent implant! Jackie and Rrae have truly provided wealth in wisdom for you regarding the quest to regain some of your life post surgery. Jackie is so right in sharing that each of us is different. Pretty much as each of us has unique fingerprints.

Pooh and Rae both work outside the home, both in the medical field, both too hard and each knows pain despite the SCS. I am and have been in the search for work since completely withdrawing from pain meds last August after my June 30 permanent implant. I only use my Boston Scientific Precision Plus SCS unit along with my trusty cushion for pain management. With this as a foundation, I have been working hard as %#*@ via in person networking as I look for work from very early this year. Prospects are now turning into fish on hooks, and I am filled with hope to regain my ability to provide for my family. The unknown is whether once I "land the fish" whether I will be able to sustain the kind of work hours my career demands, and only time will tell. I keep this travel along the path to healing and teh victory of work attained [ when that happens] on my thread about Boston Sci.

I am filled with excitement and have done so much hard work looking for work, that I am in hopes I will be able to sustain the demands of day after day at the job. I'll keep you updated.

Now as to you..... sure, I had fear as I approached SCS, wondering "what if this does not work?" The Trial told me in spades that I wanted the permanent implant as I wanted off of the full regimen of prescribed pain management meds so I could again hold a clear mind. When the victory of withdrawal from all meds came, I began to hope for employment. No, it is not easy in this market finding work, and I relied far too long on the Overly Touted and monetarily wasteful internet job search services as my means to find work. It demoralized me terribly. I felt a failure. Wondered whether I would be able to ever support my family.

Not until I KICKED the internet job search engines into the trash where they belong [oh, by the way..... any of you may QUOTE me on this as you wish] and began to actively, in person, make contact with people I know did hope come back in full force. I started a group in my church for folks who have no job or feel underemployed. We meet everyweek, because job seeking, as demoralizing as it is, can wreak havoc on your psyche unless you have support.... not your family... others in your situation [just like with this SCS forum]. So we share each others' victories, are accountable to each other regarding our efforts to obtain work, back up each other, critique each other on ideas and presentations, while also passing along leads we come across.
NOW I have opportunities being brought my way and my wife and I are actively considering REAL OPPORTUNITIES that lead to work. Almost home, and thankful to God that He tapped me on the shoulder and said "Get off your computer and actively look for work."

I have told a friend new to the church group I mentioned that looking for work will be the hardest job you ever have in your life. You are running your personal sales campaign. You are responsible for regular contacts with network participants to keep that fish net circulating on your behalf. You are responsible for negotiating the deal and then closing the deal. Basically you are running a business the purpose of which is "find a job."

All this in mind, have I been working since I had surgery..... well I guess I have. I have been working to find gainful employment. I come home tired... weary.... I have done my best to sell myself... sometimes the pain otherwise controlled by the stim is over the top, spiking, so I turn up the stim and it usually handles the spike without too much distraction.

The real deal for you Nan will be how your body reacts to the permanent stim, how careful you are about following post surgery instructions, what you find to be your result regarding pain management meds after your stim is functioning fully as your manufacturer patient representative has programmed the unit. For me, the rep sat me in front of a computer and I programmed the unit myself with four separate programs. I am anomalous as a patient, and I have had no need for follow up tweaking because the device has been my God sent deliverance. Many others here have been in for tweaking of the programs. Don't fear it if you need tweaks, they are a means to determine proper device signal needed to manage your pain.

In the meantime though, we are here to help you go through the approach to surgery. Questions for us? Ask away! We will do our best to help.

Caring for your needs Nan,
Mark56

[nanspain]

mark 56 and others, thanks soooo much for sharing with me, cuz as i previously stated, im pretty nervous. im the one that everyone comes to for advice, the down side to that is, when you're in need, everyone assumes "she got that". She's always ok, and strong, and full of faith. Not so easy when its you trying to inspire yourself. Oh by the way, Mark 56, you should be a "Writer", and i do mean that as a compliment.

[Saffy]

Originally Posted by nanspain

mark 56 and others, thanks soooo much for sharing with me, cuz as i previously stated, im pretty nervous. im the one that everyone comes to for advice, the down side to that is, when you're in need, everyone assumes "she got that". She's always ok, and strong, and full of faith. Not so easy when its you trying to inspire yourself. Oh by the way, Mark 56, you should be a "Writer", and i do mean that as a compliment.

Aww Nan .. I know how you feel !

I am due at The Hallamshire in Sheffield (UK) on Thursday for my pre op assessment with a view to fitting the trial leads in on the 18th then the full implant on the 20th (May) .. I am getting quite anxious now.

In between all that I have to have a visit from a Doctor from ASOS as I am on Disability Benefit at the moment, a visit to my own doctor, one to a counsellor, a visit to The Northern General in Sheffield .. and a day to bury my step dad. I don't know whether I'm coming or going ..

I've been overdoing things trying to be there for my Mum every day and it's taking it's toll. I'd reduced my pain meds and just made sure I didn't really have much to do in the day to keep the pain at bay, but now will have to go back to Morphine to enable me to keep going for my Mum .. frustrating !

This is a super little site ... everyone is lovely and the support is tremendous! WELCOME!