[cpryer]

I've been dealing with Chronic Pain for over 15 years. First my neck (triple fusion, plate and screws) and now my back and both legs. Tomorrow is the big day! I'm having a Medtronic Stim put in and I'm so ready to get my life back! My trial period gave me 100% coverage and relief. I figure the perm one should give me 50 to 75% relief. Doctor gave me 2 weeks off work to recover and I'm hoping it will be enough. He's going to have to drill some bone in the middle of my back to be able to fit the paddle through. I guess if that's my biggest worry than I'm okay.

I'd like to hear from you all about the recovery process. How long before you were able to be up and around?

[Spiney95]

Originally Posted by cpryer

I've been dealing with Chronic Pain for over 15 years. First my neck (triple fusion, plate and screws) and now my back and both legs. Tomorrow is the big day! I'm having a Medtronic Stim put in and I'm so ready to get my life back! My trial period gave me 100% coverage and relief. I figure the perm one should give me 50 to 75% relief. Doctor gave me 2 weeks off work to recover and I'm hoping it will be enough. He's going to have to drill some bone in the middle of my back to be able to fit the paddle through. I guess if that's my biggest worry than I'm okay.

I'd like to hear from you all about the recovery process. How long before you were able to be up and around?

Our bodies have a mind of their own. Recovery time varies from patient to patient even when dealing with the same procedure, performed the same way by the same doctor. I would be prepared for it to take longer than two weeks to be ready to return to work...............also depending on the nature of your job.

I have had a lot of spinal surgery and am waiting for my implant. Like yourself, my trial was a complete success so I am hopeful. Let the doctor know that you are concerned about being ready for work in two weeks and want to have a complete review of your condition before returning. That is a very reasonable request. Best wishes.

[Hannabananna]

Hello cpryer,
you certainly are in the right place for feedback...a wonderful amount of information on this site as well as support and prayers for your journey.
Spine is right....each of us heal in are own way ..I think my body is rejecting the SCS.
Being one of the first to give you "my experience" please know there are so many success stories as is mine although I suffer immensly from the actual SCS and it's surgery. It does work for me and has releived 80% of my lumbar pain that brought me to the implant. My surgery was march 23, 2012.
The days following surgery ...I could not use my arms to push or lift my body. Where I fell on the bed is where I slept. I had very little help or support. I took ten days off...I worked as a deli clerck ...most of my co workers helped me tho it was not enough....I really put myself at risk for that paycheck. I quite work 8 weeks ago ...I am doing so much better although 8 months post op I still have much pain in my back between the shoulder blades...it hurts to sit still...rest my arms on the chair arms...lift a cup of coffee. It feels like broomsticks in my spine. My pain meds have increased as I have more/different pain from the SCS then I had from the original injury...what does my doctor say... @ three weeks he said the xrays were perfect after that...well nothing as he left the group of doctors with no notice ...two other doctors in that group were of no help..I go next week to the first of three new docs I have found...
Please again may I say that the SCS DOES work for me...it just was too much of a price in pain for me to pay and I did not have a support system.

...My positive healing thoughts will be sent to you during the day tomorrow..please keep us updated.
Johanna*

Hi Cpryer and welcome to this great forum. You wont be disappointed with all the info you will get from everyone here.

I have failed back syndrome and have been suffering for nearly 8 years with chronic lower back pain and legs. I too have had spinal fusions but had to have the hardware taken out as the pain of it was unreal. But 2 years ago since August I got the SCS implanted and it has made a tremendous amount of difference to me on a daily basis. It gives me about 40% relief and I use some meds and patches too. But I wouldnt be without it. Even mentally it has taken me to a whole new level. Whereas before I was so down in the dumps and my life was just so humdrum, now I am more outgoing and more upbeat. The SCS masks alot of that pain which was dragging me down and has given me a new lease of life.

As regards how long to recoup, well thats a matter for each individual. But I will say that when I had my operation I was told that I was to give it at least 6 weeks!!! before I could start back to 'normal' living again. Things like carrying heavy weights, bending, lifting, driving all the things that would put any amount of pressure on your implant is out of the question. To me 2 weeks doesnt sound a lot of time, but again each of us are different. Im sure you remember the surgery you had with the fusions, ( how could you forget) horrendous is all I can say, well the implant isnt as bad as that but you MUST be careful not to do any damage to the paddle/leads so that they dont migrate.........Only you know how you will feel after the surgery, but I would say that maybe give yourself a little more time than 2 weeks to recover.

I wish you the very best of luck for tomorrow and please come back when you feel up to it and let us all know how you got on. If you have any further questions dont hesitate to ask.......you will be overwhelmed with all the advice you will receive. Everyone here is just amazing.....

Take care and good luck tomorrow

Jackie

[Mark56]

My doc restricted me significantly after the permanent implant, and we did not even start physical therapy thereafter until 12 weeks. But then that is just my experience.

Prayin for ya cp,
Mark56

[DFW_Andy]

Originally Posted by Mark56

My doc restricted me significantly after the permanent implant, and we did not even start physical therapy thereafter until 12 weeks. But then that is just my experience.

Pretty much my story, too - I'm at the almost 9-week point post-implant and still am restricted from lifting more than ... blah, blah. Three more weeks and that'll be lifted.

I have probes versus paddle so can't speak to your recovery, cp. While the surgery itself was a drag due to an inept anesthesiologist recovery was a breeze - but I didn't have any bone-drilling...OUCH!

Hope it all is going well - unless I misread I think today is/was the surgery?

[Rrae]

Originally Posted by cpryer

I've been dealing with Chronic Pain for over 15 years. First my neck (triple fusion, plate and screws) and now my back and both legs. Tomorrow is the big day! I'm having a Medtronic Stim put in and I'm so ready to get my life back! My trial period gave me 100% coverage and relief. I figure the perm one should give me 50 to 75% relief. Doctor gave me 2 weeks off work to recover and I'm hoping it will be enough. He's going to have to drill some bone in the middle of my back to be able to fit the paddle through. I guess if that's my biggest worry than I'm okay.

I'd like to hear from you all about the recovery process. How long before you were able to be up and around?

Hello and welcome to the group!
Today was your big day and I'm hoping above all hope that your implant is a success!

Let us know how you are doing when you're up for it!!

Rae

[Sandy Kay]

Originally Posted by cpryer

I've been dealing with Chronic Pain for over 15 years. First my neck (triple fusion, plate and screws) and now my back and both legs. Tomorrow is the big day! I'm having a Medtronic Stim put in and I'm so ready to get my life back! My trial period gave me 100% coverage and relief. I figure the perm one should give me 50 to 75% relief. Doctor gave me 2 weeks off work to recover and I'm hoping it will be enough. He's going to have to drill some bone in the middle of my back to be able to fit the paddle through. I guess if that's my biggest worry than I'm okay.

I'd like to hear from you all about the recovery process. How long before you were able to be up and around?

Hi Cprye
I hope you are resting comfortably. My implant was Aug. 2011. My Dr is very cautious. No shower or ice for two weeks..He wanted to avoid infection.
I was still in significant pain for three weeks. A friend who had failed back surgeries said "why didn't you tell me this hurt so much?' This was at wk three also.
My Dr. said no bending, lifting anything over 8 pounds, reaching, twisting or stretching for 12 weeks. You've probably read about lead migration and want to avoid it at all costs.
I hope you get relief like you had during your trial.
As everyone said we all heal at different rates. It sounds like your job could be agrivating. I hope your employers work with you.
Good luck with your buzzing!

Sandy

[Mark56]

Hoping and praying for CP that all is well now after the multi-procedure. No, it is not a walk in the park... it is after all, back surgery. The kind for which general anesthetic is used. Usually limitations do follow.

Hey Andy!!!! Glad to see you survived the visit of family members OK, anyway, you are not filled with woe!!

Sandy? Yep, what a picture perfect definition of BLAST following surgery, supplemented by log roll to arise from and return to bed.

RAE!! There you are!

OK, I will settle down now,
excitable Mark
yup,
Prayin,
Mark56

[cpryer]

I'm back to work after my 2 weeks off. I have to say, that first week was tough. I was getting relief from the Stim but the part of my back that the Dr. drilled through the bone was hurting! I'm on light duty for 6 weeks and I think my fellow workers are about done with me. But heh, I'm fighting to get as much of my life back as I can.


I'm thrilled with the results. I've had to pretty much wing it on programming the Stim but yesterday I had the Stim tech program it for auto-adjust. I wasn't using enough juice! Who knew? Right now I'm getting full coverage (from the waist down both legs to my toes) and I've been able to cut back on some of my oral med's already.

Thanks to all of you for your responses. It's helped me to know that others are out there with the same experiences that I'm going through.