Hi Paul, nice to hear from you. I had my trial back in August, I was pretty nervous but it wasn't anywhere near as scary as I thought. The procedure wasn't painful and they play around with the placement of the leads until you tell them that it's hitting the right spot. For me my pain is confined to my left foot, but has been increasing for the past 20 years. When I had the trial we found that to get the stimulation down to my foot they had to position the leads so that I got stimulation down both legs, all the way down. However if I can get some relief from it I don't mind that at all!!
I'm not sure if Mark and Rae found the same thing but it was a bit weird moving from sitting to standing and again from walking and then stopping, I kept having to tweak the power of the stimulation - this may however not be applicable to you as I guess if you are getting the unit to treat back pain maybe the stimulation doesn't go down your legs? I'm not sure?
Anyway as I said these things aren't a problem and are a small price to pay for pain relief!!
I did find after about 5 days of having the trial leads in that I was getting better quality sleep. I was still waking up a lot but not to the extent that I am normally and I felt the sleep I did have was much better quality, which I think will make a real difference as well.
Try not to worry about it, I know easier said than done, but it is well worth doing and if you could avoid the opiates that would be a REALLY good idea. I take morphine and ketamine every day and they just don't work as well as they used to so my dose goes up regularly but there are so many bad side effects and you feel spaced out a lot!
Mark and Rae have been great support, I've asked many questions which I'm sure you can see further back in this thread. I'm sure they would gladly answer any questions you have.
It's well worth doing and I will keep everything crossed that the trial goes well for you. Are you based in the US?
I will let you know how the full operation goes and please update us on your trial xx
All the best
Rachel x

My friend, your compliments Could cause one's head to swell making it hard to pass through doorways . NOT. They do feel like good gentle hugs, so thank you.

Regarding the stim effect altering as one changes position or turns head while walking [and maybe chewing gum as well] it does vary. For instance lying down in bed after having the stim ramped up for my daily work doesn't JOLT, but it does dramatically intensify the effect, thus, I tend to turn it down when lying in bed or reclining in a recliner.

Now as to Paul [we are having a group of Paul people start up here n'est ce pas?] I am encouraged he has avoided opiates to far. This could bode well for the success of the Trial if not the ultimate implant due to avoidance of the withdrawal difficulties.

So Rachel, thank you for your mission to help, and may you be well in all things, knowing now I am praying for you and new friend Paul,
Mark56

Currently sitting in a hospital bed waiting for my spinal cord stimulator operation. Think it will be in about 3 hours time. Got a little room to myself as I'm having an implant which is luxury!
Getting a bit nervous, just hope it all goes to plan and that it works.

Just been down to have some dye injected into my back in the X-ray intervention room. Think the operation may still be a couple of hours off. Could do with some food as my drugs don't like being without food! However not long to go. Signing off for now. Hope you are all well

See you on the other side! xx

By now you ARE on the other side, probably out of recovery and back in your room. I would send flowers, but they do not fit thorugh the scanner so well. I don't know, maybe I can figure out a way.

May the Lord watch over you in all of this and may you experience peace. There will most assuredly be post surgical pain, and it will hurt, but know this passes and the stim becomes capable of addressing your needs.

Now where are those flowers? Oh, the file size is too big to append.... so, instead, imagine a backyard brimming with flowers, the peonies, pink, red, and white in bloom, the roses of red there too, moss rose varietal in color, the royal hue of Russian Lily capping the burst of myriad colors. Ths is what I wanted to send but for the file size limit. Cleo, our floral green thumb made all of this happen in the backyard gardens we used to own. You get the picture, if, having read the words you close your eyes and come to our backyard. We will offer iced tea or lemonade according to your taste.

Now, rest my friend, and I PRAY the best is yet to come.
Mark56

Glad to have you at Neuro Talk. I just wanted to say hello. You already found the forum that will help you with your questions. You will not only find answers, but some compassionate people as well. I am sorry you have to investigate the SCS pump, but it is so much better dealing with a problem when you know all the facts. I wish you all the best. Feel free to enter into dicussion with anyone on the forums. ginnie

OOOoooo I'm anxious to hear how you are doing. You'll be tender and sore no doubt, and they may or may not turn your unit on yet.
Be gentle on yourself and allow others to pamper you. The surgical pain will lessen soon.

You've been in my prayers as well.....
Oh, I wasn't able to find the beautiful arrangement Mark describes, but here's one that happens to be the state flower where i live.
................................
Caring Always,
Rae

I just KNEW YOU would come through with a foral bouquet!!

Still praying for you Rachel!

Thrilled to know you are there always,
Mark56

I'm sure you're still recovering from surgery but we're all anxious to hear how it went and how you're doing. Take care of yourself and update us when you're up to it!

Hi Rachael

Hope you're resting and getting a good nights sleep. Hoping all went well. Sending prayers and good wishes your way.

Sandy

Thanks very much everyone! Mark and Rae cheers very much for the flowers!! My back yard looks lovely!!
I'm back home now, which is really nice. The unit is now on although they explained that the stimulation may not be quite right yet until the swelling around the spine has settled down a bit. I am getting some relief in certain positions though which is great. You are right about the post operation pain, it's so difficult to get comfy! Still this will get better day by day and I'm already starting to notice a bit of improvement each day
Thanks for all the messages of support, much appreciated, and hi to everyone else who has posted - again thanks!
Keeping my fingers crossed big time that this is going to really help me, would just like to fast forward a couple of weeks now!!
How are you all? Xxx