I've only got one lead and I'm only going to have the one paddle ... the lead is placed dead centre in my spinal area so the surgeon I saw last week said no wonder it's going down both side.

I know what you mean about the pressure when the stim is on .... It's almost as though the back is going into spasm to abort the battery lead sort of thing .. like it's a foreign body? Does this make sense?

Unless it is scarring common to the pocket emplacement to br the culprit!

Caring bunches,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Mark56

The paddle lead did move...up! It started out at the T8 and is now at the lower T7. How does it move in just a week?? and to move up?? I am still getting coverage in both legs, but it doesn't explain the pressure on the left side.

Saffy, is what you feel from the same battery that is working that stimulator? What I feel is close to the battery that works the cervical stimulator. The thoracic battery has been moved to the front now.

I am so confused (as is the dr) and frustrated!!!

Thanks guys...Nanc

hi im new to this site, i had SCS st Jude put in sept 22, 2011. i am just wondering if you experienced any side effects of nausea, because my rep keeps trying to reprograme the leads thinking the nausea is related to stomach nerves being pulled in from the leads that are covering my back and legs. ive been having severe nausea since the implant being putting in and we are all so confused and frustrated

Hi sarahdgoldman! Sorry you are experiencing such nausea, I know that has to be so frustrating. When I had with the percutaneous leads in the thoracic area, one of the programs they set had the stimulation coming pretty high up my hips and into my abdomen. It caused nausea so I had to stop using that program. They set all of the other programs lower and none of them were felt in my abdomen. After that, my St Jude rep would stop it as soon as it gets that high because of the sick feeling it can cause.

I now have a paddle lead and again, the rep did not program it to go that high...it covers my legs and butt

Not sure if that helps you, but that is my experience.

Good luck to you!
Nanc

This phenomenon is just real curious to me since I have a different brand SCS mounted lower thoracic to cover the lumbar and legs..... and that is all it covers, the lumbar and legs. Perplexing this is, for sure!

Prayin,
Mark56

So sorry to hear about the nausea. My Boston sci was implanted for abdominal pain. My programs are set to cover only my trunk area. I've never had nausea but when I turn it up high it goes down my legs and it drives me crazy. I guess we all have our own limits.
I hope you get some relief.

Sandy Kay

Welcome! Glad you found us
The nausea thing sure is odd. I'm sorry you are dealing with this.
Do you feel a 'grabbing/pulling' sensation in your stomach area, or is the stimulation being felt only in the back and legs?
I was told by my rep that if you get that pulling sensation in your front/middle area that the amplitude is ramped up too high. I would sure think the rep would be able to ease that outta there.
Have you tried running your amplitude (pulse width) down to a slower number, so that your stimulation wouldn't be 'buzzing' so fast, rather, it would feel more like a 'thumping' if turned down.

I sure hope he can tweek you to get rid of the nausea.

Rae

I didn't realize that you've only one lead also! Or else it didn't compute.
Well, that makes THREE of us then!
Yes, the 'foreign body' thing makes perfect sense. I have heard of cases where the body rejects the unit altogether.

As a matter of fact, when I think about it, my nightmare with back spasms began about the same time I had my unit installed. When we realized the one lead came detached and slid all the way down my spine, I was hoping that would take care of the spasms. But I still battle these long after we removed the one lead.

There has to be a correlation between these spasm/pressure issues. But what to do about it. Hopefully one of our doctors will find the answer and we can all go running to him for tweeks!

Rae

Nanc, I am so sorry to hear about the discomfort you are feeling. I have had 3 stim surgeries and finally had the paddle leads put in last november so I understand about leads migrating and the trouble that can cause! I ended up having to get a new pain doctor but am so glad that I did because he helped me. Anyway, I also wanted to say that I get really strong pressure in my stomach/middle area either when I have my stimulation to high or if I need reprogrammed. I have to keep mine on at all times but anytime I lay down it has to be way turned down or its very uncomfortable. I hope that the doctor can help you out so that you feel more comfortable and that is amazing that you have 2 units! Everyone else gave you great suggestions and hopefully I said something helpful too. Take care