Hi All -

I had two spinal cord stimulators implanted at the end of June 2011, cervical and thoracic. A week and a half ago I had the percutaneous leads in my lower back replaced with paddle leads because of migration and pain. When the first leads migrated, I started feeling this incredible amount of pressure in my lower back when the stim was on.

Now, I am feeling pressure in my lower back again. It is different as in more to the left (up and down) instead of across the lower back (side to side), but it is there and keeping me from getting good relief from the stim.

Here is my question - has anyone else experienced this or anything like it? The doctor and St Jude rep are both at a loss trying to figure this one out....

Thanks for any suggestions and your time!
Nanc

I'm sorry to hear this, Nanc.
I'm hoping that since it's been so soon after your surgery with your new leads, that it will subside - especially since you've had the more involved procedure of the laminectomy.

It is strange that it's only on the left side. Does it feel like a 'tightening' feeling, like a spasm? Does it come and go, or is it constant.

I wonder if your Dr will do an xray to make sure everything is where it should be.

Hi Rrae!

The dr did do an x-ray and I am waiting to hear from him on the results.

I did not need to have a laminectomy (thankfully) as they were able to use the same path as the other leads. They were concerned about scar tissue getting in the way, etc., but said the paddle slid right in!! They ended up putting only one in since it covered both legs, feet, hips, when they tested it in the O.R. They felt that two paddles were not necessary, since the one covered everything they placed it in the center and a little higher than the previous leads (since they migrated down).

The pain/pressure is really hard to describe, but it only happens when the stim is on. If I turn it up it increases. I have to keep it on a very low setting, which doesn't really help my pain a great deal. The pain/pressure is about an inch to the right of the cervical battery...

They also moved the thoracic battery to my front side b/c it was bothering me.

Thanks....Nanc

Wow, only one paddle! Me too! Mine is just a percutaneous lead rather than the paddle. As far as I know you and I are the only ones with one lead attached to the battery. I originally had 2, but one migrated and when we realized that I was getting along just fine with the one lead, we just took the migrated lead out!
It's amazing that you have 2 units. Our dear friend Sinead (Sophy) might be considering this. There are a couple others who have 2 implants also.

Hopefully the xray will reveal something (that can be easily remedied) so you can get this taken care of.
I'll be anxious to hear

Rae

Wow, you have one lead too Rae?

I have two percutaneous leads on the cervical stim, each with eight contacts, and it is working pretty well for both hands and arms. I do not know how many are on the paddle (or how wide it is). But, the one paddle does cover pretty well...just don't like that extra pressure/pain that I am getting!!

I did not hear from the dr today So, I am going to send him an email.

Will let you know what I hear.

SO Sad to hear of your predicament!! The situation of pressure is quite a mystery to me as it is your docs. I am a Thoracic implant at T8-T9 to address my lumbar area and legs. I have paddles, they have never given me this pressure sensation you report, and I run the silly thing 24/7 to good success. I just wonder whether the actual paddle emplacement itself has somehow caused the pressure which is manifesting as your discomfort????? Only the Doc can tell, and really only with an X-Ray since MRI is verboten!

Prayin for you on this,
Mark56zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Thanks Mark56. I thought I had remembered you saying you have paddles. I really thought changing out the type of leads would be the answer.

The St Jude rep and my dr were both puzzled and at a loss at my appt Friday. This really threw the rep for a loop - when he was programming the thoracic stim, my right arm was tingling and the cervical stim was off!

I might be way off, but I wonder if my cervical battery has anything to do with the pressure I am feeling since it is still in the back?? The pressure is about an inch to the right of the battery.

I don't know, I am frustrated. I go back to work on Monday and was hoping to be so much better after this second time around.

Thanks for listening...Nanc

Has the battery unit been in place Nanc? It does take time for healing to settle things down enough to abate the tenderness... that was a FOR SURE with me and my stim. Took time, was tender, and then voila, c'est bon.

Time can tell, but then how long has it been,
Prayin,
Mark56

Both batteries were placed in the back, upper buttock/hips with my first surgery June 29, 2011. The cervical one is on the left and remains there. The thoracic battery was moved to my front when those leads were changed out on Nov 2. The thoracic battery was moved b/c it really irritated me in the original spot.

PS - I wanted the cervical battery moved but insurance wouldn't cover it

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?