Originally Posted by Mark56

So....... here you are, having been all trussed up and made operational. I sincerely hope the programming session goes for you as a LARGE step in the right direction.... down those legs where you intended the stim to travel. Work with the rep carefully to ensure they understand each reply you provide pertinent to their tweaks and such. There is so much about "dialing it in right" just like an old tube radio set dialed just so at night so you could pick up that radio station in OK City, OK when I was MUCH younger [forgot the call sign, but I thought, living out west.... WOW and to think they are So Far Away. You just need fine tuning!

Prayin it goes well,
Mark56

Originally Posted by Silverback

The radio station was KOMA out of Oklahoma City. They even had a very popular song KOMA, KOMA, KOMA, etc. One of the first "Clear Channel Stations."

Fine tuning is due Monday. Surprisingly, to me at least, as the incision site is healing, the program is changing. One of the two programs has somehow changed in frequency and pulse duration.

Originally Posted by Silverback

I confess; I have been lurking for several months gleaning knowledge about the Boston Scientific SCS. I had the trial Stimulator installed last week and removed today. The trial went extremely well, no complications, and the final implant is tentatively scheduled for the last Monday of this month.

By way of introduction; I am 73 years old and have had "back problems" since my late thirties. The diagnoses have ranged from Degenerative Spinal Disk Disease to Spinal Stenosis with a couple of others thrown in when they really didn't want to mess with "another back issue."

After a few years of Darvocet, Gabapentin, Lyrica, Xanax, MRIs, XRays and numerous others and increasing leg pain, I went to a pain specialist where I had three Epidurals, again with absolutely no improvement even for a short time. From there a back Surgeon prescribed an X-Stop procedure. I think it was placed at L4-L5. The results were totally unremarkable. No reduction in pain. I did, however, graduate to Hydrocodone and working with another pain specialist added Fentanyl.

At this point the medications were controlling the pain; however, I slept most of the time, missed a few grand children's birthday parties, and gained 30 pounds.

Enter, stage left, a young (all doctors are young when you are 73) Pain Specialist/ Anesthetist who was entirely willing to handle the pain medications but also actually listened to me for more than the standard 5 minutes allocated for patient/doctor dialog. After two more unsuccessful Epidurals (insurance requirement) she suggested we might try Spinal Stimulation. Only one week for Psych and insurance approval and we are now up-to-date with the coming out of the closet lurker and a successful Trial Period.

They removed the single lead at 2:30 today and by 4 the intense burning leg pain returned with a vengeance. I expected that from reading the experiences on this sub forum. I haven't added much to encourage/discourage newcomers to this experience. I will try to add more details of the trial and decision making progress if there are any lurkers out there hiding in the bushes hesitant to come forward and participate.

I do add my sincere thanks to those who post here regularly. You all have been a wealth of knowledge and encouragement for me, even if you didn't know it.
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Silverback
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Wise and appropriate saying of your choice inserted here.

Originally Posted by Lizzylou

Thanks Silverback. I am a brand new user, and just stalked the site for a couple days after I discovered it!

I am 56 years old, and have had "back trouble" since I was a child. I had scoliosis in my cervical and thoracic spine, and had a fusion when I was 11 years old. My doctors told me that I would be completely fine after I finished puberty. They said that once I finished growing, my bone wouldn't curve anymore. They were totally wrong, though knowledge of scoliosis has advanced at an unbelievable rate since 1966...My cervical and thoracic spine are wonderful today, but my lumbar is in rough shape. I now have a 70 degree curve! I fhave been on all kinds of pain med cocktails, but nothing works longer than a couple of days. I want to ask all you SCS people to tell me everything about it! What is the procedure like? How long does it take,and how painful is it? How long does the procedure take? Do you feel immediate relief What is the recovery like? What is it like wearing that belt and "recharging" yourself? It sounds a little weird to me...Please just tell mee verything you know about your experience, good or bad. I would just like t o be informed of what is coming my way. Thanks, everybody. Good luck to you, Silverfox!

Originally Posted by Lizzylou

Thanks Silverback. I am a brand new user, and just stalked the site for a couple days after I discovered it!

I am 56 years old, and have had "back trouble" since I was a child. I had scoliosis in my cervical and thoracic spine, and had a fusion when I was 11 years old. My doctors told me that I would be completely fine after I finished puberty. They said that once I finished growing, my bone wouldn't curve anymore. They were totally wrong, though knowledge of scoliosis has advanced at an unbelievable rate since 1966...My cervical and thoracic spine are wonderful today, but my lumbar is in rough shape. I now have a 70 degree curve! I fhave been on all kinds of pain med cocktails, but nothing works longer than a couple of days. I want to ask all you SCS people to tell me everything about it! What is the procedure like? How long does it take,and how painful is it? How long does the procedure take? Do you feel immediate relief What is the recovery like? What is it like wearing that belt and "recharging" yourself? It sounds a little weird to me...Please just tell mee verything you know about your experience, good or bad. I would just like t o be informed of what is coming my way. Thanks, everybody. Good luck to you, Silverfox!

Originally Posted by lynn1667

I am scheduled for the SCS implant on January 3rd. Of course couldn't get it in before the end of the year for the insurance--hahaha I guess I shouldn't worry I will meet my deductible right away this year. IS that a GOOD thing or a BAD thing???