[bcyak]

I am new to the board, and wanted to give a shout out to other current and prospective SCS folks. I am glad to have found you guys, and look forward to sharing my experiences, encouragement, doubts, frustrations...

I must also disclose that I work for an SCS manufacturer (started 6 months ago), and have a bias resulting from my employment.

I wanted to ask those who have had the implants what your procedure and care were like just after. I have a NS who said this is very basic and considered day surgery (outpatient). Is that right? You actually get sent home same day ?

I am not one to want to be in hospital, but I guess I considered removing bone, tinkering in the epidural space, tunneling, and pocket/IPG to be more than an in-and-out affair.

Thanks in advance for your replies on the timing of your procedures and care.

Brent


Background on my back issues
I have 4 consecutive bad discs L2-L3 through L5-S1. Herniations confirmed by imaging, annular tears confirmed by provacative discogram. I have been in pain now since Dec 2008.

I am 35 and my back looks and feels like crap.

Diagnosis:
Discogenic pain syndrome L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1.
Degenerative Disc Disease L2-3 through L5-S1
Radiculapathy bilaterally L4-5 and L5-S1
Facet hypertrophy L5-S1
Congenital pedicle hypertrophy

Symptoms:
Pain in back, buttocks, hips, legs, and recently toes and groin

Current Meds:
Exalgo 8 mg daily
Dialudid 4 mg (breakthrough)
Flexeril 10 mg (muscle spasms)
Zofran (nausea)

[Rrae]

We are THRILLED that you found us! Prepare to be bombarded with Q's since you fessed up to being an employee of an SCS manufacturer!

I'm sorry you are dealing with all this pain, especially only being 35!

What an interesting take this will be, since you already are familiar with this from the 'other' standpoint! The pain issues you listed are right in line with what the SCS is most successful (course you know this already ).
So, you're getting the paddles via laminectomy I take it. Smart indeed.

The hospital procedures will probably depend on where you are located and how complex your case might be... Our friends abroad stay in the hospital for several days, whereas most of us here in the states do it as an outpatient procedure. Like I said, tho, it all depends. Hopefully your Dr is very experienced in this. Mine was that and more.....he was downright cocky! But, we breezed right thru it and I was out in a matter of 6 hours.....course I only had the percutaneous leads. Even tho I was in my little 'twighlight daze', I could hear loud and clear the way they talk in the OR!

It's really great to have you Brent. You'll be getting lots of support here. The rest will be hoppin on your thread like a bunch of vultures - You might want to wear a hat

Rae

[fionab]

I had two SCS put in at the same time (I refer to them as "the twins"), one lumbar, the other cervical. I was in and out of the hospital the same day. They scheduled me so late in the day that just about everyone had gone home and I was laying there in pre-op wondering if the janitor was going to be the one doing the surgery! They were able to do both SCS's through the same incision in my lumbar area, so that saved time as they didn't have to do another incision in the cervical area. So, I'd say yes it can be done and you sent home that same day. I'm like you...would rather feel crummy in the comfort of my own bed than in the hospital!

Good luck on your surgery and keep us posted!! By the way, mine are from Boston Scientific...would this lil' bit of info. help to loosen your lips a little as far as who you're a rep. for???

[Nanc]

Welcome! Sorry you are having to deal with these problems!

I also have had the "twins" implanted at the same time (cervical & thoracic) but I was cut in four places....for each lead and each battery placement. I spent the night at the hospital. I also had to go back four months later to have the percutaneous leads in the thoracic stimulator changed out for paddle leads and that battery moved to the front, that was another overnight stay.

My aftercare has been pretty good. Some issues with the thoracic SCS working to full capacity, we are still working on it. My reps are great (St Jude's by the way )

Wishing you the best!
Nanc

[CoralToe]

Welcome! I'm rather new here myself - but am relatively young like you. I'm 34, and just had my permanent boston scientific unit installed 2 weeks ago. I am in the luck group of 2 that has gotten to program their own stim after surgery....and since you work for the company, see if you can swing this!! It makes a huge difference in quality of pain coverage to be able to tweak the controls yourself. I am sure Mark will be along to tell you the same shortly

-Heather

[Mark56]

Well, I learn you are fairly young..... 35.... that is a fer piece back in time for me.... but then when one began to find grey hair at 26 as did I, everything becomes relative. I have to tell you though, your findings at such an age bode harshly for you, and I well and truly hope you are bound for the promise of relief through some of that technology your employer manufactures.

I am, as Heather indicates, the other self programmed individual, and as far as my physicians know, we would be the only two who have been allowed to self program our permanent implants. My pain management specialist asked that I write an article for a medical journal regarding the event, and I have had precious little luck getting attention for it.

So anyway, Heather and I are advocates of patient programming. Mine was set to my current settings July 2010 and I have Never had to seek tweaking or reprogramming. Never a revision osurgery. I am 100% thrilled! Fully withdrawn from all pain management meds since September 2010 and gainfully re-employed in my profession. Could you call me satisfied? Oh yeah to the nth power.

I am looking forward to your participation. Have a BLAST on the rest of us, and, oh, by the way...... BLAST has a meaning around here! Oh yeah.

Welcome to your new home,
Mark56

[Rrae]

.........Medtronic here....... are the lips budging yet?

[Mark56]

They are SEWN to secrecy.......
Yup,
Mark56

[bcyak]

Let me see if I can catch up with all of your replies here. I wasn't intending secrecy, I just wanted to be very up-front and open. I am not a rep or even close to sales for my company (St. Jude). I am in the product development side of things. Even better if you ask me then being a rep. I will have a chance to influence future product from a very personal patient advocacy point of view.

My niche in the company (and professional background) is in software analysis and development. Of course the big disclaimer and legal butt covering - anything I say will be only personal opinion, and definitely not company or medical advice. I also promise never to dis other manufacturers or get involved in brand wars.

Thank you all for the very nice welcome and replies to my questions. Where does one go to find the hidden meaning of these keywords you guys have?

My reps, knowing my company affiliation, are very willing to allow self-programming. I also have access to some nuerosicence clinical research specialist which have offered to help tweak the programming if needed.

I look forward to hanging out with you guys.

Since this is a day surgery, what is ya'lls opinions on how long I should plan to be out from work? Is 1 week enough, or should I plan for longer? My main reason for asking is sick time, PTO, short-term disability and which route I should take.

I will hang on and wait for more wisdom to flow... Many thanks again.

[Nanc]

St Jude huh? Cool, I like them (so far)... That is my scs brand...

Anyway, time off from work is dependent on what you do, sitting, standing, lifting, etc., as you will have some limitations and pain for a bit. When I got the "twins" implanted, I was cut in four areas and it was an overnight stay, I was out a total of a week and a half. I think I went back a little too soon.

When I had my leads replaced and battery moved, that was three incisions, and I opted to take an additional week and am thankful I did. I wasn't in quite as much pain as the first surgery, but I felt better going back to work after the extra week.

It is great that you will be able to do the self-programming. I will need to look into that like Mark56 says

Nanc