I have really been grappling telling this part of my story here but...perhaps it needs to be repeated.

My trial was, as I stated, a breeze. Getting it out wasn't too fun but the discomfort of having the 2 leads pulled out was pretty short-lived.

My pain doc is an anesthesiologist by trade (I believe most of them are) and for the trial she actually did this in-office and had a nurse anesthetist - and she TOLD the NA how much 'knock-me-out' to give me...I remember the familiar feeling of the slight burning sensation going up my arm from my IV and - then I was out...till being wakened for the placement part...then I was back to sleep.

However!!! The implant surgery was QUITE a different story.

I had to choose a surgery center that was 'in network' with my insurance - glad I did, I had hit max-out and it didn't cost me. Had I gone where my doc wanted me to I would have had a HUGE co-insurance bill to deal with. One main problem is this center is not as 'friendly' to my doctor as the preferred one where she has a tremendous pull, even to the point of directing them on such things as anesthesia for her patients. So, I ended up with an anesthesiologist that she, as I found out later, didn't like very much. This schmuck pretty much kept me awake for the entire first part of the procedure instead of putting me into a MUCH deeper sleep where I wouldn't "wiggle" (again, my doc later said she didn't care for this guy and she KNEW I was too awake because I was moving too much).

I felt EVERY SINGLE THING they were doing to me during implant and he didn't have to 'wake' me at all for final placement. I remember everything so vividly and I rehearsed some of what my doctor was saying during the surgery, back to my doctor and she just sat and nodded her head - I should NOT remember all that.
"Turn, turn .. turn ... okay STOP
Turn...turn...STOP"

At one point I said to her,
"I sure wish I could watch you - wish I had a big mirror"

Oh, but the PAIN - that was rough. Now, once placement was secure, before she actually cut me open (incisions) the guy did finally put me into that deep 'twilight' where you don't remember a thing but you're not under general.

I don't tell this story to scare anyone...bottom line, ASK QUESTIONS. Ask your doc if he/she KNOWS the person that'll be tending to your comfort. If the anesthesiologist calls you the night before (like he did me) ask HIM/HER pointed questions. I did ask and he told me, "Oh, you'll feel some discomfort" and I didn't realize this meant I would feel AND remember EVERYTHING. And - it's 100% within your right to say, "I'm sorry, I want a different anesthesiologist" ... rest assured, they may have to reschedule it and that's not good but....you don't want to go through what I went through!

Andy-

How awful! I'm so sorry this happened to you! I had a similar experience with my bunionectomy foot surgery in which I kept waking up and was in extreme pain (in my heart of hearts, I believe that this is what led to my RSD, but that's beside the point).

Anyway, I appreciate you sharing your story, as I will definitely be extra cautious w/my doc to make sure that my anesthesia is performed correctly. (I'm told that it will be general anesthesia for the implant, so that's def what I expect from them!).

Again, I'm sorry this happened to you, but I appreciate your sharing... as to save myself and others from the same fate. I am very grateful to you for doing so.

~Colleen

One thing that happened to me that was horrible at the time, but has been great since is an almost fatal anesthesia complication.

On February 3, 2012, I was implanted with a loop recorder due to syncopal spells. These were later attributed to RSD so it was a needless surgery, but it was a 15 minute under the skin monitor that they give you twilight anesthesia so you're awake but not. Well I had a laryngospasm and almost died. I was completely put under and entubated. For an under the skin monitor placement.

It was really scary, but it caused them to be super diligent with anesthesia from that point on. I'm sure when it's time for battery replacement they'll do general just because of the complications. Or at least be careful. So that helped. I'd rather be out completely than remember anything, but that's because the two times I haven't had general, I had a laryngospasm. I don't know what drug they use, but my body does not like it!

I'm sure everything will be fine!!

TK

.....was very quick and I didn't feel a thing. Like Jackie said, my doc was chatting to me and I had no idea he had taken the leads out while yacking!

Like others mention, the REAL difficult part was waiting to get the permanent. It was so wonderful to get the temporary pain relief from the trial, but once the leads were taken out, pain may come back with a vengeance. Hopefully you won't have a very long interim before getting your permanent.

Sorry to hear about the bunionectomy causing the RSD.....I've got bunions developing and I actually wondered if that would happen if I eventually had surgery to correct my feet!

If I could go back in time, I would NEVER have had the bunion surgery... obviously, had I known that RSD would be the result, I'd have stayed far away, so be very careful with that decision if you come to it!

As for waiting... I just found out that I may have to wait until Feb. (the month my ins runs out) to get my permanent- depending on "facility approval". If I go to one facility, I'll be able to get it as soon as it's ins approved; if the other, I'll have to wait till Feb and get it right before my insurance runs out... which means post op care will be, er, non existent? It will not be good, let's just put it that way.

Luckily, I'm under my dad's great ins. till then, and I'm hoping that means that I'll be able to go to the other facility (that I'll be able to get into right away), but I'm gonna have to wait till that time comes to find out for sure- although I'll be calling people tomorrow to find out if I can get some info before than... because it's gonna eat me alive w/worry if I can't at least get an educated guess as to what's going to happen... I'm already going a bit nuts not knowing. (the girl in the office who would know the best was gone by the time I was told this info today). I'm just hoping she'll be able to tell me based on my ins. which facility I'm likely to get 'approved' for, and thus what my time-frame will look like... Boy, I did not expect this! Fingers-crossed I can get in the "good" facility!

Colleen

I do hope you get the facility you want Colleen........

Im sure you are up the walls with worry and its not easy waiting to find out either. Im not a patient patient .....I want answers NOW!!!!

Ooooooh interesting what you say about your bunions....unfortunately Im one of those people who have bunionsdue to wearing orthopaedic shoes as a child as I was born with one leg shorter than the other( I did ask my Consultant if that was why I had such a bad back...his reply 'well not all people who live on a mountain suffer with their backs') hmmmmmmm sarcasm eh!!!

Anyway I was comtemplating having my bunions done...but NOW oh Im not so sure if you say that this is the reason for your RSD....well wouldnt it be just my luck to have that on top of everything else! no thank you.......decision made I think. I will just have to put up with my ugly feet and boy are they U G L Y


Here's hoping you find out soon Colleen where you are going and I hope it really is the one you want

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend

Jackie

Jackie-

Right you are!

I am going nuts trying to figure out which facility I'll be (hopefully) eventually getting my perm implant at. I"ve been calling the one person at the office who apparently "may know" all day, to no avail, to try and find out what exactly determines which facility the perm procedure is done at. (because I was told that technically it isn't even necessarily insurance that determines it... It's very strange.). But I'm praying that I can get in at the surgery center, versus the hospital, because I really don't want to have the perm implant a week before my insurance runs out... I don't even know how that would work... (if at all). Otherwise, it's going to come down to begging my doc (at my temp placement) to squeeze me in early, because I really need those last few months that I have left of ins. for post op "stuff".... from check ups to any reprogramming that may need to be done, etc...

and I'm so not-patient, it's just driving me CRAZY not knowing! Waiting for the trial is bad enough, but waiting on the unknown is even worse!

But I'm rambling...

Anyway, thanks for your response, it helps to know I'm not alone!

Colleen

Jackie, I almost forgot-

regarding the bunions...

I'm telling you, not only did it cause the RSD, but it was an INCREDIBLY painful surgery! I'm talking, couldn't get out of my dad's recliner for days (I stayed there for a good week afterwards, this was pre-puppy). He would have to bring me EVERYTHING, as getting up (and lowering that foot) was so painful. I would even avoid going to the bathroom all day until I thought my bladder was going to explode, because that was such a painful experience.

Now, of course that was all temporary, but it was the cause of my RSD, so my other foot is not getting done... and I'd strongly caution you before you decide to get the surgery... I'd never do it again, but that's just me. Ugly feet are great! Nothing wrong with ugly feet, this I promise you!!!

~Colleen

Im a bit confused (it doesnt take much ) when you say that you are not sure which facility you will be going to. I THINK what you mean is that your insurance will decide where they will pay to have it done....yes???

Here we elect our Doctor and then he tells us where he will do the procedure. Then we ask the insurance if they cover that particular hospital and Dr. Is that similiar? As regards your insurance running out, will you not renew it? Sorry dont want to pry....its just that way it would just run into the new one and you would have no worry about where you can have the implant done nor how long it would take.

Some of the procedures in the US are so different to here in Ireland so I can get quite confused DUHHHHHH!!!

Me too ugly feet
I've been wearing this contraption on my feet at night. It's supposed to help with bunions and hammer toes. You strap it on and it spreads the big toe out, which supposedly can help the bunion. Then, during the day I wear these gel toe spreaders between my big toes.
Not sure if it's helping, but we'll see.

Colleen, I sure hope you don't have to wait that long! Regarding switching insurances, I get concerned re: pre-existing condition clauses that alot of the companies carry. When my job fizzles out, I won't have my current insurance and i wonder what will happen when I need my battery changed out if I have a different insurance carrier.

BEG and PLEAD with your Dr if there is anything he can do to get you in faster. Heck, I sure ain't against begging

Thank you so much for explaining the bunion surgery. I had no idea it was that intense, but now I recall my step-mom having it done and she was NOT in a good way! Also, I heard you have to be on crutches for 5 weeks (?)

Well, anyway, I'll sure be praying about your upcoming surgery!
You can count on that!

Rae