dubliner - the cervical stim was not meant to treat my migraines, it was actually implanted for RSD pain in my hands and arms. One of the programs I have will stimulate up the back of my head, but I do not find that it helps my headaches. The thoracic one was implanted for RSD pain in my legs.

Mark56 - unfortunately, I have to keep the thoracic stim pretty low, sometimes it is WAY low because of the pressure/pain it is causing in my back! At times I have to do it with the cervical one, but I really hate turning that one down, especially during the day. I need it up so I can get through work (I do finance work). If it is off or too low, the pain is unbearable. Like when I drive, I am in agony since they are both turned off.

Maybe I could try a lower stimulation on the cervical one when I get home from work and see what results I get from it. I will do that from today until I see my doc & St Jude rep on the 16th.

Also, my family doc who I saw yesterday wanted to increase my Topamax to see if that would help. It has decreased my migraines drastically (prior to this last surgery), so she wanted to start there.

Thanks for the tips and input, as always. I love that I found this place. You guys rock!!!

Nanc

I know it may seem odd coming from me, but the fine print regarding turn it off during driving was not displayed for me in great big easy to understand syntax, so I never have turned my Boston Sci off, driving or not, and I commute 22 miles each way to my legal job. [this would be where a drummer would go, ba da bop].


I dunno, maybe you could try a short hop on a clear stretch of road to see what affect you notice if units are working. This would be in the nature of the prescription med warnings not to use while driving until one is certain of the effect caused on the body while in use.

But then two cents, and this posting won't even purchase a piece of candy any longer.
Mark56

The St Jude reps told me on several occasions not to drive with them on, my husband questioned them because I am in so much pain in the car. They each said that the chance of accident was too great because the "jolts" that could happen when you make sudden moves. I could see that because I get those jolts often, well from the cervical stim anyway.

I forgot to turn them off one day before I left my office because I was in a hurry and realized after I started driving that they were both on...I was nervous

Understood...... Understood. One must follow advice of their providers measured against common sense, ethics, risk of harm to self and others.....

The real issue to contemplate in any situation is whether one desires to risk ever being on a witness stand after a wreck being asked "So, during the course of your driving on the day of the incident, was your stim unit powered on or powered off?" This is the very reason why I never drove a vehicle when I was under the influence of all of the opiates I was prescribed.

I do understand,
Mark56zz

I completely agree with you Mark56. I have seen people come into work with a back injury, etc., and they will be taking pain killers and I am thinking "are you crazy?" I would never take them when working or driving, my husband will always drive if I need to stim or take meds. I can't take them and work anyway. Basically he drives all the time except when I drive myself to work and the doctor

I was driving into work this morning and sneezed, the wheel kinda jerked. I thought if the cervical stim was on that wheel really would have jerked LOL.

It's 4 weeks since my surgery and I am sneezing so much the last few days...feels like everything is ripping inside...and the cervical stim zaps I don't want people sharing their germs with me

Have a good day!
Nancy

Nanc, I do have the headache problem like you described. I also have a cervical implant that seems to have triggered the headaches and my doctor agrees. However the benefits of the stim are so beneficial that I just try to deal with the headaches.

I have found that if I change the program it sometimes helps. I use a moist microwave heat pack on the back of my neck to help relax the muscles that I tense up when I am having a headache. Excederin Migraine has helped me too, but it sounds as if you already have medication for headaches. Somedays it is just a dark quiet room. I have not found anything that helps with the nausea that comes with the headache, maybe you have some suggestions?

I have to admit that I do drive with my stim on. I was really nervous at first but have gotten used to it. I now know what position to hold my head while driving and that helps with the jolts. I do watch for the heavy duty electrical lines be cause it seems that those always give me some extra zip. Lisa

I drive with mine on too. Like Lisa I too have become so used to it now I know every movement now and what to expect. I generally have it turned down low though while Im driving.......because if, say I left it on the one I use while I walk, well I couldnt drive with that one

Hi Lisa! Sorry about your headaches, that is a bummer! I surely woke up with a doozey this morning!! Excedrin does nothing for me unfortunately I take Fiorinal when it is getting too bad to just deal with, I can function fine with that. If it starts going to migraine status, then I take Amerge. The nausea medication I take is Phenergan. They gave me Zofran after the last two surgeries and it wasn't too bad. I take Demerol for my RSD pain when I have too, but before I can take it I have to take the nausea medication since it really upsets my tummy. I have a very high tolerance for medication working and cannot tolerate most meds. The Demerol doesn't really help my pain, but it makes me a little sleepy so it kinda takes the edge off. Have you tried Phenergan? That is part of what they would give in the shots when I would have to get one for a migraine if I am too far gone for my meds to help...

The moist heat is a good suggestion, I haven't tried that in a long time. I think I will try that tonight! Thanks!

I drive on 95 to and from work, too many crazy people weaving in and out of traffic...scares me to keep the stim on driving on there LOL.

Oh good, Nanc - I was just going to ask if your Dr has given you anything for the nausea. So, you have the phenergan on hand. Good to hear.
I hope something will help you get rid of those nasty headaches. There's actually a forum here at NT on Headaches....Maybe you'd find some ideas or suggestions if you peeked over there. ?

And the driving, yes, I think most of us have confessed that we do drive with the unit on. The manufacturers say 'not' to have our units on while driving to cover their rears, just in case something would happen. They don't want lawsuits.
For long distances, some of us claim that's when we need the unit on the most. But in your situation, driving on a busy highway with crazy drivers, I think you are wise to be cautious about this.

Rae

Hello
My name is Betty **. My husband, Charles and I have
lived in Leon County all of our lives and raised four
children here. Charles was an
hvac technician with his own business. He has always been a
productive, helpful, and loving
person.
In order for him to continue working to retirement, we were
advised of a spinal cord stimulator
that would alleviate his pain in his back and legs. Below
is a bit of his story.

Charles - 10/4/40

After many visits to pain management for pain in my leg and
hip, injections, etc.,
it was suggested that I might benefit from a spinal cord
stimulator(Boston Scientific, mfg.)
This device was installed on August 13, 2009 and I wore it
not activated for two weeks. When
it was activated, in about two hours a headache occurred. I
have had this headache
for two years.

The device was removed on October 5, 2010, thinking relief
would come. I believe the device
has injured me. My medical records from two of my doctors
state that this is indeed why my
health is gone and my quality of life is no more. I am now
under the care of a neurologist.
The latest attempt at curing the headache is with Botox
injections in the head.

I've had two sessions (3 months apart) and have seen no
change. The neurologist has told
me that if these injections do not work, there is nothing
else that can be done.

We have contacted several attorneys in the area for help
with legal action against Boston
Scientific. We can get no one to return any of our calls.
There are class action suits in process, but, we don't know
how to get on board.
Charles and I have had our "golden years" stolen from us.
We cannot even go to the grocery
store. Some days he can't even get out of bed because the
pain is encompassing.