I have read a lot about problems with moving electrodes that scarred in. My initial surgery was 6/21/12 and my revision (and battery replacement) is 1/17. The dr is moving my electrodes higher. Any thoughts? Is this more painful than the first time?

Hi. I've had my SCS for over 2 years now Aug '10 and after 6 months my battery stopped charging and I had to have it replaced. It wasn't that painful at all but the best thing was I was totally out for it so didn't feel a thing. As regards scar tissue, I wouldn't have thought that after 6 months that scar tissue would be a major problem. It does take time to scar in and definitely in my first year I had different sensations moving about whereas now the leads are well scarred in and I've much better coverage.

Good luck with your revision.

Jackie

My revision was 83 days after my 1st surgery. honestly, I didn't really notice a big difference. They didn't do anything with my battery, though. I felt much better a couple of weeks after mine. I had fallen and it moved my paddle so it had to be realigned. Hope this helps!

TK

'YELLOW' would be a good person to check with. She had her leads moved up and I know it helped alot. Hopefully she will see this and respond.

Lots of people here have had revisions similar, so you should get good input like the ones who've answered so far!

Rae

Hi, like Rae said I had a revision to move my electrodes down. Mine was only 2 months after my surgery, though, but I didn't have issues with scar tissue. Before the revision my doctor told me that there was a chance the leads could break because of scar tissue when he was pulling on them and if that was the case, he'd have to open up not only the lead incision but also the battery incision to replace the leads. Fortunately, though, that didn't happen and then because I only had to have the one incision reopened, the recovery was definitely easier. There was still a good deal of pain after, of course, but you're not dealing with anything new being put in so that makes it a lot easier. You do have to be careful with an incision being reopened, though. I had to avoid things like swimming and taking baths much longer (don't worry- showers are fine!).

I don't know what your issue is, but in my case I was having extra stimulation. I was getting it in my legs where I needed it but also in my stomach and back, and it felt like very painful cramping in those areas. The revision helped me so much to get the coverage where I needed it! My doctor was surprised at how far he had to actually move the leads, but thankfully he listened to me and kept moving them until we got it right.

Thank you everyone. I am having my battery replaced and my leads moved higher up. My concerns are alleviated as it has been only 7 months. I will be completely under assuming the anesthesia works this time. Only 2 weeks to go! Thank you again.

I KNEW you'd come to the rescue!!
I had it backwards tho. Yours were moved 'down' instead of UP.

I'm glad your concerns have been alleviated, NJ!
We'll certainly be interested to hear how this goes for you!

Rae

Yes, yellow thank you. My electrodes are too low for my specific pain. The scs is covering pain, no more. My pain is very specific and real bad but no other issues, thankfully. Y'all are great getting answers, thank you again.

Yeah, that is what we need at these sites..... ZIPPERS, so when a battery goes kerflunka or a lead migrates south for the winter [or earlier in the case of Rae of "tossing hay bales fame" they just zip open the offending location, drop out and in the needful stuff, then revision becomes a "no mas" situation...

NJ, prayin all will be well with you in your revision!


Zippers,
Uh huh,
Mark56

Zippers..... I will ask my doc about that! You should patient the idea. :-).