Well it's been about 3.5 weeks since my implant. I have some good news and bad news. As I have been accused of being a pessimist, I'll give y'all the bad news first...


1. Migraines. I have always had them, but they are back with a vengeance!! I am hoping my old friend topamax will stop them. It's the only thing that ever has.
2. Right hand. It has long been assumed that I have rsd in my right leg, left leg,a nd right arm. Since the relief in my legs is so good, I have become more cognizant of how my arm feels. It kills! It's the main reason I'm still take pain meds. Is it possible to have two scs? I had a very scary stellate block experience and don't want to do that again. Anyhow, just mulling choices and since you guys are super awesome, I thought I'd weigh in with ya. I've had such great success with leg scs (Sheldon) that I would love my arm to get it!

Now for the good news:

Sheldon is amazing!! I can walk without a cane for the first time in a long time! I'm taking fewer pain meds, sleeping better, etc. I've had some programming issues, but we are slowly getting the bugs out. I've not felt this good since before that monster rsd showed up in my body. Anyway, I'm so grateful it works. I know many RSD sufferers that it didn't help at all so I feel fortunate.

Just wanted to check in! Btw, dfw Andy, I'm about 60 miles north of there. All my procedures are done in Frisco.

I hope everyone is having a manageable pain day!!

Migraine's are the absolutely pits....... they should be abolished. My wife's side of the family has always struggled with them as does our daughter. So, I will pray for you, as that is all I know beyond topomax.

Two SCS units? Absolutely, several folks on here have two, one of which, I recall is Sandy Kay [is that right?], another Fiaonab, and another Jackiey. So if you were to go for two I have hope you would find the blessings from the two you know from the one Sheldon......

Well, the group named my SCS PJ for Praise Jesus, since my faith comes out my pores, so your first one is Sheldon.... if you had another, would you name it Weldon, Feldon, or maybe Keldonia? We could coume up with group suggestions. Some might be hilarious!!

Anyway,I wanted to let you know you are embraced in prayer regarding your migraines and I have hope all will be well.
Yup,
Mark56

I just got my 2nd SCS in June because my RSD spread from my legs to my wrist now. I went through 5 stellate ganglion blocks and 6 bier blocks first, and I was still really reluctant to go through everything to have another SCS put in, as well as to have to devices in my body, etc. But in the end it was following the pattern with my legs in terms of only very temporary relief from treatments, so I knew that logically the SCS for my wrist made the most sense. So I sucked it up and went with the trial, and now I have my 2nd stimulator which is working well.

You should bring it up with your doctor, he/she might want to try more conservative treatments first but it's definitely a possibility to think about!

I only have the one scs for abdominal pain. But I've read quite a few posts from those who have two. I think yellow being the most recent.

Sandy Kay

Sorry Sandy- thinking recent and wrote your name instead of Yellow. What a blessing both you and she responded!
Yup,
Mark56

So it would be like starting the process all over? I wondered. I may try nerve blockers again. I had a really bad experience with sgb. What is a bier block? I just wonder if arm pain is worse cause leg pain is gone. Anyway, thanks for telling me. I, too wonder if it's worth it.

TK

During hand surgery once. I was awake and watched the whole procedure once the block took effect. Felt nothing at all, like they were working on someone else's arm..... eerie.

Mark56

Yeah, it is starting everything over again. Unfortunately they can't just use the same battery you already have. It's two remotes you'd have to have too, which I mention because this upset me quite when I first found it out for some reason, to know that I'd have to carry a 2nd big remote around with me everywhere as well. But all is good now and I've adjusted, and in the end I made the right decision for me.

In a bier block they put a tourniquet on your arm and then inject lidocaine into your veins- the tourniquet ensures it stays there in the arm. Then they let it just sit for about 30 minutes and they'll deflate the tourniquet. I had these for my legs and wrist, and it was really no big deal. They did it in the office and gave me anesthesia so I was sound asleep for everything. Different doctors have different progressions of treatments too, to try. For example an inpatient infusion is another less invasive option that a lot of doctors do.

Right now we are trying meds topamax, but I did talk with my rep today. She says good results are harder with arm scs, but still achievable. I'll try the meds and hope we can stave off more drastic measures. For now.

Strange complication: I busted a stitch in the hip incision, and now must keep it dry for 2 weeks. I have no idea how it happened.