I am home from the implant and doing quite well (understanding the most uncomfortable part will be once all the anesthesia wears off). It was supposed to be a 2-hour procedure but due to scar tissue in my back (from fusion 10 years ago) it ended up taking 3. The most uncomfortable part of the procedure was how much of it I was very much awake and coherent. It was definitely not something I ever want to go through again but – preliminary testing of the device during implant, and now working with it here @ home, it appears to have an even higher area of pain-control than the trial! This was a big part of our prayers since I knew there was only one small area that was being missed.

I feel very confident this may result in a near 100% pain control – something I literally did not expect to have until we all have our glorified bodies. I still look forward to that as much as ever but in the meantime God is so good to allow me to find a doctor so committed to getting to the root and finding a way to stop at least a measure of the chronic suffering.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

P.S. Mark, if/when you're able to read this, know I am remembering you OFTEN in my thoughts and prayers.

dear friend
AMEN a successful story
may your body allow you
a life of happiness

someone who cares

Congratulations on the success of your implant!!
This truly is a lifechanging experience. Modern technology is an amazing thing innit?
You are a veteran of back surgery, so you already know the recovery 'rules'. Once the surgical pain wears off, you're well on your way!

now......don't you go disappearing on us!! Now that you're a fully-graduated SCSer, you've officially become a fellow Butt-Buzzer!
Altho many here have their units in different areas of the bodies, in which case we should call ourselves collectively the Buzzer-Buddies. In any case, we're just glad you've come here to share your experience.

Rae

Wow so happy for you Andy!!i will be hard to believe BUT 6 weeks post implant on Tuesday. I receive wonderful pain control! I hope the surgical pain control is going okay and use as much ice as you can. That helped me a lot. Hope everything continues to go well!!


TK

Yeah, I've been giving that a lot tof thought...this forum has been such a huge help to so many, including me.

When I started the journey of searching for post-SCS patient experiences I went to YouTube and found several videos that were, to say the least, very disconcerting. So many people have had negative rxperiences and made video's about it that it actually spooked me a bit. But...I kept on searching and found this forum and it was extremely encouraging to see so many - some that had great results some that it didn't work at all for. I've been thinking maybe I should do a video for YT and let viewers know that some of us don't go thru anywhere near what they did.

Yeah, I had a rough time sleeping last night due to the incisions and such but...this hasn't been anywhere near what I anticipated it would be. I know it's only been 27 hours since surgery and I'm somewhat thinking tomorrow may be my worst day (I've had many procedures and found that typically the 2nd day post-surgery has been worse than the first - not sure if that'll be the case this time). But...so far it's been nothing like what I thought it'd be.

So, I'm wondering if I should indeed stick around to help some other new folk that stumbles by concerned about what they're up against. I know everyone and every case is different but people need to know that some folks come through this with extremely positive results both from the surgical standpoint and success with SCS working well.

Meantime, I've found some really neat folks out here - folks that care...and that's SUCH a plus when dealing with chronic pain. My thanks to all of y'all!

Please DO!! - stick around to share your testimony!!
It is a tremendous help for those who are scared and searching for feedback! We've been there and I recall (before this forum was made) how alone I felt and, like you said - finding horror stories online. People need SUPPORT when getting these units - not be scared off and discouraged. Of course everyone needs to be aware of the dangers, etc. And we always appreciate the folks who come here to share their negative testimonies as well because this is the reality of it. We've got a good balance here at NT. I feel that people can get a pretty accurate idea of what is involved, simply by reading thru alot of these posts.

I am ever so grateful for the others who have made a place here and the friendships that have developed. We even like to kick up our heals once in awhile for the fun of it...........speaking of which, we should have another cyber-party when Mark is able to come back to the forum!!
HECK YA!!
He's under strict orders not to be on computer for a few weeks. You can bank on the fact that he's probably checkin in on us once in awhile and he isn't too far away.

Andy I think it would be a GREAT idea to post a video on YT!
Let us know if you do so we can see!

I'm so happy for you that you are feeling so positive about all of this and that your outcome is looking so good.
Hopefully you won't experience much surgical pain. Like you said, sometimes day 2 can be a downer. The hospitals are usually pretty good at making sure we feel real 'good' when they send us home, then reality kicks in for the next few days. But not necessarily so in every case. I think you've got the better end of the stick simply because you've been thru surgery before and like you said, this is not near as intense as what you previously had done.
Get some good rest and we'll be anxious to see how you get along!

Rae

You really have a way of making a guy feel welcome! Y'all all do, actually. This forum has been such a positive experience. I literally just sat and read every word of what you (and someone else) wrote to me to my beloved wife. She's a precious, sensitive woman that has the gift of mercy...feels pain when others feel pain, shares joy when others do. She was genuinely touched by the posts I just read to her...as am I.

I turned to her after reading them and said, "This is so cool - I have a new circle of friends!" to which she heartily agreed.

We both cracked up at "Butt-Buzzers!" That's a good one.
"Howdy, y'all - I'm a butt-buzzin cyborg from DFW an feelin purdy dern good raht 'bout now, how are yew?!"

Another positive: My "2nd day" is on Sunday when I'll be spendin a bit more time with our Lord. I've been debating on trying to go to church (hate missing!) but perhaps I should hold off for this week. We did go out and did a little shopping today and I really did fantastic (used one of their electric cart thingy's).

God bless each of you!

I have a belly buzzer ... Well, I did, but he had to go as infection got into the metal at the side and spread between Felix my belly buzzer (oh yes, he had a name) and my paddle lead.

Awaiting another buzzer but this one is going I the other side of my stomach. Honestly, the scar tissue from Felix makes it look as though I'm smuggling a boiled egg .. Yuk. Still, at least I will have matching scars.

It's a friendly place here, so pull up a chair. If you feel low, let us know and we will higher it. Heh ., no, just kidding ... If you feel low, then there is always someone here to lift your spirits.

Karen x

Honestly, Karen, if I start going down the road of 'feeling sorry for myself' all I have to do is come here and read some of what y'all have gone through (like you!) and it's incredibly easy to replace that 'poor me' feeling with, "Thank you, God for blessing my socks off. I sure don't deserve it any more than any of these others that are suffering so much more than I" and that is a very effective way to combat that feeling. In general I've never suffered from actual depression despite the long trial with chronic pain. Yeah, I've had my moments of frustration and even anger at the pain but for the most part have kept the faith...knowing this:

"The Father will never cause His child a needless tear
There's a needs-be on our part and a purpose of blessing on His."

(that one I heard from my dad many times and it's been a comfort to me)

We don't always understand...but we do, do well to always trust.
Hang in there, tummy-buzzer, hopefully/prayerfully your relief is forthcoming, too.

Hi Andy

I have my SCS for jsut over two years now, August 2010. I will say that I am a changed woman...of sorts ...I am definitely much more relaxed and that feeling of tiredness and dragging have subsided a lot. I still have pain, but not as much as I used to. People comment on how 'well' I look now and I dont have that 'gaunt' look about me either Ive had 7 operations on my lower back and I have Failed Back Syndrome, after having discetomies, 2 spinal fusions, unfortunately they didnt work and then basically being left in severe pain. But that has definitely been made a lot better with the help of my stim, which is a St Judes.

As regards missing church, I did a lot of times as I just couldnt contemplate sitting on those hard pews and trying to pray for that hour and not be in pain. But you know what, since I got the stim its so much easier, also I did get a cushion from Mark! , if you PM him Im sure he will tell you all about his ingenious cushion that he manufactures. Its a Godsend!......I use it all the time and especially when I go to Mass and I find it is so helpful with the stim combined. I do still use some meds and patches, but with the combination of the lot I definitely feel so much better.

I hope your recovery will be quick and painless and you will enjoy many many days, weeks, months and years of pain free or at least reduced pain.....

take care

Jackie