[AZ-Di]

I was really scared but all went pretty well. Now it feels like a TENS unit made into an entire sleeve of electrodes going all the way from my left fingers to well past my neck. I guess the buzzing is sort of replacing the pain. I go to P.T today to see if there's an increase in function or mobility of my hand 'cause I can't really tell. My back is really sore and the "B.L.a.S.T." is really hard to remember except for the huge bandage on my back that pulls when I move.
I just really hope this does not encourage the RSD to spread.
My control unit is set the same but it seems to have a mind of it's own. At times it seems very weak and out of the blue it just really starts to zap pretty hard. Does this sound common to anyone?

[Nanc]

Hey AZ! Glad it went well for you yesterday. Be very careful at PT and with BLaST, because those leads in your back are not secured, they are only taped down on your back and could come loose easily. With the trial, the stimulation will intensify in certain movements, especially when it it is in the cervical area. When I turned my head or looked down...ZAP! The cervical stim was more intense then the thoracic during the trial for me. With the permanent, it is not so intense because the leads are more secure.

I hope you do not experience spread due to this. I didn't with the trial, the implant or the revision. Hoping you have a successful trial!!

Nanc

[Hannabananna]

oh good news so far...just keep keeping careful!!

The "zaps" for me were normal with movements...I do have the adaptive Stim as my permanant and that pauses and resarts per programing when i move.
We are right here for ya
HB

[Mark56]

Glad you are into the Trial! Hope all goes well indeed!

Yup, movement will produce different sensation from the leads. For instance, being permanently implanted I know when I lie down the stim varies from sitting and from standing. Lying is nearly always more intense. Your experience will be more intense, or seemingly so, because (1) this is new to you, and (2) the stim is a temporary job just intended to give you a test run, kinda like trying on clothes you might like to purchase and then when you get home with them you look in the mirror again and think "well that doesn't look right" or "now that is just the ticket!" You are trying it out.

Glad you have hand therapy today so you can see how function is affected by stim. Be sure your therapist knows of the stim Trial so they do not do unusual things unaware and somehow affect your trial.

BLAST- glad you are mindful of it. Just try to keep that care standard in mind so as not to detrimentally affect your Trial by reaching up high for that top shelf glass which is "just out of reach."

Here is Hoping and Praying all will be well,
Yup,

[Rrae]

Day 1 and 2 were rather confusing and I was still in pain from getting the unit attached to my back. I remember feeling a bit let down at first because nothing seemed to make sense and I couldn't tell which pain went with what.....but oh boy, by day 3 things 'clicked' and I began to understand how the controls and settings worked and it all became a great experience.

Give yourself some time and try to relax into it. I know how awkward it feels having all that stuff attached to your back.
Try to concentrate on the stimulation and if it's where it should be. Play with the settings to find out where it becomes 'too much'. The soothing buzz is what I love about it, but if the amplitude is turned down too much, it becomes an irritating 'thumping' feeling. I ramp it up until I get that nice buzzzzzzzzzzzz

You're doing great, keep it up and let us know how the rest of the trial goes.

Caring,
Rae