Hello everyone, I've missed you all a lot! I haven't dropped off the face of the earth, I've just been really busy with a 23 hour course load. Between that, weekly trips to the doctor for bier blocks, and physical therapy 3x a week, I don't really have leisure time. The good news is, though, that I'm leaving Friday for a week in Cozumel to relax. I'm very excited because I need this trip badly!

Which brings me to my first question. I'm a little nervous going through security in an airport where not everyone speaks English. Have any of you had any experience traveling to Mexico with your SCS? They move everyone through so quickly at airports, so I hope I won't have any trouble explaining my situation to them. I have my Boston Scientific card as well. I'm also thinking of just leaving my remote in the room when I'm down at the pool or beach, because I'd hate to have anything happen to it. I'll just try to have it at a setting where I don't think I'd need to adjust it.

I'm also wondering if anyone still experiences pinching in their backs after having their stimulator implanted. My initial implant was in November and the revision was in January, and I still get pinching pain in the area of the implant as well as where I'm assuming the wires are. It's not an every day occurrence or anything so it's something I can live with, just wondering if it's common or not.

My SCS has been working well to reduce my knee pain. I have been having more issues with charging lately, and they think that's because it's come closer to the surface and also tilted some. But the advice is to put more layers in between my skin and the charger. I have started a running program, though, and it feels great to be more active again! What's really a problem now is my wrist, which you may or may not remember the RSD has spread to. It has deteriorated quickly, and I went through a series of nerve blocks and then a series of bier blocks, but neither gave me any lasting relief. The next steps are an inpatient epidural infusion or another SCS. I tried the epidural infusion with my knees and while they felt great in the hospital with the epidural in, as soon as they took it out the pain came back. So I'm reluctant to go through that again with the risk of having the same results. But at the same time, it's less drastic and not permanent, which is why I'm really considering trying it for my wrist.

My doctor asked me if I'm ok with 2 SCS implants and I told him that if that's what it comes down to, then I am, but I'd like to try other options first. The thing is, we know now how this treatment has helped me with my knees, which is why it's being brought up. Everyone tells me how they wish they could just program my stim now to reach my wrist, which would be wonderful if it could work that way. I can't accept living with all this pain, so if it comes down to a second stim then I'll cross that bridge, but the idea of having another one implanted is not an exciting one, let's just say...

So my last question is for more information about cervical implants? I know there's not as much information out there because less people have them. Is it true that you can't move your neck for the 8 weeks? How was your recovery? Also, I know there are a couple people here who have 2 implants and are happy. I'd love to hear your input if you could as well.

Thank you

Good to "see" you again! I am happy to hear that your current SCS is helping you. But sorry to hear your wrist is bothering you so much. I can't answer the travel questions, but I can tell you about my "twins". I have two SCS - thoracic and cervical that were implanted at the same time. My cervical SCS actually works better for me than the thoracic one does.

You can move your neck during recovery, but you don't want to twist a lot (same as like your thoracic SCS). While you are learning the right programs for the cervical, you can get small jolts when you turn your head or tilt your head. That eased up in time. My cervical SCS has cut my pain in my hands and arm drastically. It actually gave me the use of my hands back. I am so thankful for them both!!

Well, I gotta run...got a drs appt. Let me know if you have any questions!
All the best,
Nanc

Thank you SO much for the update!
You sound so 'alive'! This upcoming trip is very exciting and I can plainly see you need this! You know, I was actually thinking about the airport thing too, because I might be flying to see my mom's new home in Florida. I need a refresher course on this and I know we've talked alot about it. Those threads are buried somewhere a few pages back, so I'll hunt them down and bump em up (unless you beat me to it!). Several folks have flown with their units and will give you peace of mind. I think your idea of leaving your remote in motel is a good one.

Several others here have 2 SCS's, so we can track them down too. Fiona for one. I'm glad Nanc saw your post right away, cuz she gives excellent input.

I've got to go pick up my grandson, but I'll be back this eve and we'll do our homework on the flying thing. I'm sure others will be here soon too.

It's so great to hear from you again - you've been missed!

Rae

Nanc, thanks for your reply and it's good to hear that your cervical implant helps you so much! That must have been one heck of a recovery to get them both at the same time.

Rae, thanks for bumping up those threads! It seems like some people go through and are fine, but I think I may take the body scan/pat down option just to be safe. Hopefully no one will give me any trouble at the airport.

I'll let you know how it goes when I get back!

It was a tough surgery, most definitely! I only took 1 1/2 weeks off from work, that was a mistake. My reps thought I was crazy to get both at once and that I didn't take more time off...lol. When I had the thoracic leads changed and that battery moved, I took and additional week...much better that go around.

Hope you have a fantastic trip!!


"Several others here have 2 SCS's, so we can track them down too. Fiona for one. I'm glad Nanc saw your post right away, cuz she gives excellent input."

Thanks Rae

The most important thing to remember, and I mean it about your frolic down on the sand or near the pool....... IS.......... sun block. Forget about the stim. Leave the remote in a secure place in the room, such as the room safe so it is still there when you return.

Airports.... take all electronic stuff, even your remote and place it in one of the bins. My experience has been they do not even want to see the magic cards that tell all about the implant. You just remind them you have one before going through the scan, and to tell the truth, once I declared it thus, if the airport had a "puffer" scan device, the radiation is so slight, it is as though it did not happen [I hope someone enjoyed my late middle, or is it early late life bod]. Airports without puffers have done a pat down and wanding of me and send me my way, and I have flown many times since become robotic, or is it bionic, or is it distrophic, or radiculopathic, or maybe, just maybe..... hysteric, as in Frankenstein.... there we go...... ah, ha, ha.....

On aircraft when they say turn all electronics off, I leave mine set to a comfortable setting and leave the remote put away. Airlines have no understanding about this issue, and to tell you the truth having ridden corporate aircraft about 100 trips, I had even found my old palm pilot with the extendable antenna held next to the window could send and receive messages..... pretty cool, eh? I asked our chief pilot "so tell me about those interferences you get from my phone" and he laughed. He knew of a reg, but in reality one was not going to do harm, 300? That could be another story.

Anyway, my rationalization for leaving the stim on in flight is, why endure agony when I no longer have pills as an alternative...... and I have never seen a flight attendant walk up to a passenger and ask them to switch off a pacemaker or an implanted defibrilator...... get the idea?

So go, enjoy, get a tan, don't worry about the implant, and travel safely.
Prayin for ya,
Mark56