[tammyray]

Hi, My name is Tammy and I am not sure that I am doing this right... I am new to this site as of today. Sorry if I am a little dumb-founded on how to post on here. I would really like some advice on my spinalcord stimulator. I have had it for a year and a half and have already had the battery moved and I am now going to go through a new surgery to move leads and paddle ... I am scared and just need some advice from those of you that know far more about this than I do. I thank you for your time and your kindness...

[Spiney95]

I can't help you as I am just facing having my scs implant. There are lots of knowledgable, supportive folks here and someone will be on shortly. Things might be a little slower tonight with the convention. Hang on, it won't be long. Very best wishes.

[eva5667faliure]

Originally Posted by tammyray

Hi, My name is Tammy and I am not sure that I am doing this right... I am new to this site as of today. Sorry if I am a little dumb-founded on how to post on here. I would really like some advice on my spinalcord stimulator. I have had it for a year and a half and have already had the battery moved and I am now going to go through a new surgery to move leads and paddle ... I am scared and just need some advice from those of you that know far more about this than I do. I thank you for your time and your kindness...

hello and welcome
keep coming there
will be plenty of persons
who may advise
share what is happening
to you may have happened to
others

someone who cares

[pooh_ac]

Welcome to our family! Many others will be along shortly to welcome you. I am a vetran being on my 3rd unit, dead battery, lead moving after a fall and currently year 6 of the total 9 year "life" of my battery. My units have all been Medtronic, Rrae also has a Medtronic. Mark has a Boston Scientific. Marks journey is one of the "sticky" threads at the top of the forum, it is long but it includes the ups and downs of his pain and its management. Well z to you!

[Mark56]

Well, depending on how painful you feel, a big bear hug welcome to you!! It can be especially frightening preparing for a surgery when you know you already have the SCS, whether it has worked or not and how, and the whole rigamarole about healing from the process: thing of it is.... and I have pondered this as well, especially when I have recently been recuperating from a surgery and was watching a couple of western movies on the TV..... isn't it Grand we have even the Means to think about these techie wonders which never existed when my grandparents were alive????

Thinking back to those nights I would thrash about on the floor of our bedroom screaming because the pain was so bad, my precious wife trying to calm me, and years ago there was no hope for that kind of pain..... just pillzzzzzzz. Just pills. Then society would nod at the poor family over there because the Dad was "hooked" on prescription meds.

Nowadays, it is so cool to be on the leading edge of medical science. We are that leading edge...... and there have been MANY on here who have approached, experienced, and benefitted by the reality of revision surgery to help with the stim gone wrong, the infection gone bad, the lead migrated south, and on and on..... YES, surgery especially with general anesthetic is not to be taken lightly--it is a very serious issue. TAKE surgery only when necessary, then we pray you through the experience in hopes the whole of the event brings to you solutions like one whose migrated lead was merely removed and she felt so much better with the remaining lead working just fine, and another whose migrated leads were replaced and allowed her to continue schooling for her degree, or another couple of folks who had to go for removal of their units altogether and now await right timing to have a new stim implanted, not to mention veteran Pooh who shared she has now benefitted from three units over time. Thing of it is Pooh will be too shy to admit she works with that stim performing its symphony within her as she is a nurse in a hospital on her feet all shift every shift! She is one of my heroes.

So Tammy, I pray for you as you approach your situation you may be calmed and prepared for the event to occur so you may rest as it is done as your docs care for you all hoping for the ultimate good that YOU will feel blessed and true benefit from your revised and renewed stim,
Amen anybody?
Mark56

[Spiney95]

Originally Posted by Mark56

Well, depending on how painful you feel, a big bear hug welcome to you!! It can be especially frightening preparing for a surgery when you know you already have the SCS, whether it has worked or not and how, and the whole rigamarole about healing from the process: thing of it is.... and I have pondered this as well, especially when I have recently been recuperating from a surgery and was watching a couple of western movies on the TV..... isn't it Grand we have even the Means to think about these techie wonders which never existed when my grandparents were alive????

Thinking back to those nights I would thrash about on the floor of our bedroom screaming because the pain was so bad, my precious wife trying to calm me, and years ago there was no hope for that kind of pain..... just pillzzzzzzz. Just pills. Then society would nod at the poor family over there because the Dad was "hooked" on prescription meds.

Nowadays, it is so cool to be on the leading edge of medical science. We are that leading edge...... and there have been MANY on here who have approached, experienced, and benefitted by the reality of revision surgery to help with the stim gone wrong, the infection gone bad, the lead migrated south, and on and on..... YES, surgery especially with general anesthetic is not to be taken lightly--it is a very serious issue. TAKE surgery only when necessary, then we pray you through the experience in hopes the whole of the event brings to you solutions like one whose migrated lead was merely removed and she felt so much better with the remaining lead working just fine, and another whose migrated leads were replaced and allowed her to continue schooling for her degree, or another couple of folks who had to go for removal of their units altogether and now await right timing to have a new stim implanted, not to mention veteran Pooh who shared she has now benefitted from three units over time. Thing of it is Pooh will be too shy to admit she works with that stim performing its symphony within her as she is a nurse in a hospital on her feet all shift every shift! She is one of my heroes.

So Tammy, I pray for you as you approach your situation you may be calmed and prepared for the event to occur so you may rest as it is done as your docs care for you all hoping for the ultimate good that YOU will feel blessed and true benefit from your revised and renewed stim,
Amen anybody?
Mark56

Yeh, Buddy. So be it!!!!!!!!

[DFW_Andy]

Originally Posted by tammyray

Hi, My name is Tammy and I am not sure that I am doing this right... I am new to this site as of today. Sorry if I am a little dumb-founded on how to post on here. I would really like some advice on my spinalcord stimulator. I have had it for a year and a half and have already had the battery moved and I am now going to go through a new surgery to move leads and paddle ... I am scared and just need some advice from those of you that know far more about this than I do. I thank you for your time and your kindness...

Welcome to the forum, Tammyray! I don't have any additional advice...I'm a newbie to the SCS world and am 100% an advocate for it, for the right person (to be sure, this is not everyone! That's a conclusion you and your doctor need to arrive together) as I've been blessed with an over 90% (or so) pain relief with my AdaptiveStim unit (Medtronic's newest model).

Just wanted to say, "Howdy" and "Welcome"! You'll find a whole group of very friendly folks here that deeply care about each other. If nothing else you've just been added to some folks' prayer list!

I guess one question that just popped into my ole noggin - what is it you're grapling with that you are seeking advice? If you've had good pain control with the unit in the past then I would assume you're having jitters about the surgery - is that correct?

[Rrae]

As you can see from the responses so far, there is no lack of support here!
I read your other post in the New Member forum to get clarity on why you are having to move the leads.
So, you're not getting the stimulation in your legs or back anymore, after only having your unit in for a year and a half.

Well, for whatever this may be worth, alot of us have had revisions of one type or another. The good thing is you mentioned you totally trust your doctor. So, if you've got a good relationship with him, then you're obviously in good hands. Plus, you're already familiar with what's involved from having your initial operation.
One of the only things that may cause trouble is if you have scar tissue in the way, and this might limit your Dr somewhat regarding how to maneuver the leads to a new location.
Be sure to ask him lots of questions about things like this and any other concerns you may have.

We're gladly here for you and will help walk you through things.


Well anyway, Tammy, it's great to have you here!
Do stick around and let us know how this is to unfold.

Caring,
Rae

[tammyray]

Originally Posted by spine95

I can't help you as I am just facing having my scs implant. There are lots of knowledgable, supportive folks here and someone will be on shortly. Things might be a little slower tonight with the convention. Hang on, it won't be long. Very best wishes.

Thank you so much foe your kind reply Spine 95 ... i wish you the best of luck with your implant.. I must say that my SCS really helped me when it was working. after Ten years and a major lower back surgery, So many injections, ect... the SCS is the first thing that eased my pain. It is not working correctly now and that is why they are going to move the paddle and the leads. I just need to know what I am in for with this big of a surgery.. They moved my battery deeper and moved an anchor but they are going to have to remove more spine bone and I hope that someone can advice me on that... Thank you again.... Take care!!!