Hi all! I am excited to be getting my permanent implant on 7/10 at 9am. I'm very excited but anxious. I have rsd/crps in my rt leg and have some left leg symptoms now that my trial scs has been pulled. Anyway, I am having paddle leads put in and am worried about having a laminectomy. I have been reading some of your advice and tips. I'm trying to keep a note for myself on things that help. Anyway, wanted to say hello and see if anyone was in the same boat as me. (I hope not) anyway, have a great night!

Welcome to this parlor in the universe! The thread chronicling my path on this stuff is jammed with STUFF, but is closed to comment now and is spiraling down to the never never land..... kinda makes me wonder why I wrote it.

Anyway, it is here http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread117854.html and has much to say about every little thing which will go on as you proceed through a paddle emplacement via laminectomy of your permanent SCS. Read the stuff around June 30 of 2010 and you will get quite an idea.

Big things to remember are Log Roll, the means to arise from bed once you have received the implant. You will definitely be sore, and if you have not had a spinal fusion before, you should want to learn to log roll out of bed.

Begin by practicing BEFORE you ever have surgery, using arms and abdominal muscles only. Lie on your side facing an edge of your bed and place yourself as though you are a log, a straight line creature. Then draw your legs toward your waist, allowing the lower legs to descend to the floor as with your arms you lever yourself up to seating position. Once sitting on the edge of the bed, then using only your abdominal muscles and leg muscles, arise to a standing position.

At first home from the hospital or surgery center having had the laminectomy, you will be both sore and stiff. It is just part of the invasive process, but taking TINY steps leads to long walks thereafter.

Next is the toilet........ yes, this is potty talk. You should not need to make any adjustment to your toilet, for the laminectomy is NOT as invasive as fusion. You see, prior to the SCS I had experienced multiple fusion surgeries and the very FIRST thing I learned after the agony of getting out of bed from fusion [not such agony with laminectomy for SCS] was getting Down to a toilet and then back Up again. They sell these nifty toilet risers which make a toilet seat much higher for such crippled people as I was, complete with handles for the getting up and down. I did not need one for recovery from the laminectomy of SCS.

BLAST is next, and I am deadly serious about this one...... NO BENDING, LIFTING, STRETCHING OR TWISTING, that is unless you have a desire to mess up the works of that delicate SCS which was just installed in your back. SO, you become VERY careful about BLAST until your Doc says less restricted movement is permissible. Why? Because the connections, the paddles, the wiring, the generator pocket are all pretty delicately placed until the body begins to form natural scarring around the foreign bodies within yours to hold everything fast and safely. Once all of that occurs, you might even be allowed to golf as has been KZLRogue, one of our graduate members here.

Purchase one or two of those reacher grabber things for the reaching you MAY NOT DO. In case you wonder where they are found, Rae will be along shortly to let you know they are always on the aisle where the pink flamingoes are found with which she populates her front yard.

Get a hair trim and style if your hair is ultra long so it will be more manageable afterward, for you will be restricted in shampooing thereafter for a few days. Or, if length of hair is a thing for you, then invest in dry shampoo.

You will want some loose clothing to lounge in for the first couple of weeks. Why? Because if your generator is mounted in the buttock just below the waist line, you will feel quite tender there for at least a couple of weeks thereafter. I wore sweats, since society and my wife would have scowled at me wearing a "nightgown" or some such other get up.

Take it easy on yourself and USE the pain management meds prescribed for post surgery along with your usual pain management meds. Your doc will tell you the need will present itself, and a medicated patient who manages their pain is far happier than one who is unwilling to use the meds.

Accept help from those around who offer to drive you places, for you will not be allowed to drive. Just do NOT allow them to lift you by the armpits or some silly thing like that, because this would be bad for your new wiring. You have already learned above how to stand up, so do it yourself, thank you very much.

Well, aside from the stuff above, I reckon, the thread I mentioned is about it for other stuff you might encounter.

All will be well, Kaye,
and, I will pray for you,
on July 10,
yup,
Mark56

Good luck with your surgery next week! Mark seems to have covered everything in his very thorough post

I would just add if you are starting to have symptoms in your left leg to ask your doctor to do a block before the surgery to help prevent the RSD from spreading from the surgery.

Yes, very best wishes. I never made it past the trial period back in 96 and have been totally paranoid relative to another try until now. I am seeing my pain doc to start the process next month. Things have improved dramaticly since 96. The doctor who did the inplant was not properly trained. I was not given instructions on what to do and not to do durring the trial period. I had several spinal surgeries so I had a pretty good idea of what not to do but I had no idea how the little things that don't even hurt can cause problems. Within a few days, the leads had migrated and I started getting shocked where the most jaded human would not want to be shocked.......even at the lowest settings.

It is a true blessing that Mark and others have shared their experience. Collectively, we are a wealth of knowledge, down to the finest details. I KNOW that post op care and behavior is so important and the information is here...........more than the doctor will give you.

Just follow the instructions that you will find here and you will maximize your chances for success. Prayers are going up and we are with you.

Glad you found us!

Mark pretty well gave you the rundown, and a great one at that! Regarding the pink flamingos, yes I'm a kook .... although I don't really have them in 'my' yard per se. I just like to drive around at night and put them in other people's yards.

Here's wishing you a successful implant on the 10th!
The one thing I repeatedly harp on is --->> communication! Even tho you will be in your 'twilight daze' during the procedure, you'll still be alert enuf to communicate exactly where you are feeling the stimulation when the Rep turns on the switch. Make certain that you are clear and concise in letting them know where it needs to be. Don't feel 'rushed' in giving your answers. This is the time for patience and to get it right. The Reps are usually pretty good at listening and tailoring to your needs. It's a team effort and you're the navigator.

We'll be anxiously awaiting your update! Please stick around and let us know how it goes!

Caring,
Rae

Thanks everyone, and mark, your suggestions will be a lifesaver. I'm experiencing terror due to a laryngospasm during anesthesia. I am so scared I'll have one and they won't notice. I am worried! Tuesday is the big day. I'm really excited about what the scs can do for my pain!

Hi Kaye,

Hope Tuesday goes exactly as planned and that you get some major relief from your pain as a result of the SCS! Let us know how you're doing when you can, meanwhile I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Take care,
Jan

Now 32 surgeries past, two without any anesthetic because they were diagnostic terrors. I have not had even a glitch on the anesthetic. Not once. May it be well with you.
Prayin,
Mark56

Thank you!! I've had two laryngospasms, both during twilight type anesthesia. Hopefully general will cut that problem!


TK

That your surgeon and anethesiologist being aware of these events will take you through twilight to the blessed rest of general anesthetic where you will be able to receive the care you need through the SCS. Mine was general and when I awakened at last, I was ready to get up and walk because I needed to visit that restroom OH SO BADLY. Yup.

Thus, my friend, you are in my prayers TKaye for your implant to go very very well.
Prayin,
Mark56zz

Ginniie may even send an angel your way.... her specialty around these parts.