SCS & Pain Pumps For spinal cord stimulator (SCS) and pain pump discussions.


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Old 04-16-2017, 11:01 PM #211
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Hi Gerry, I went and had a normal X-ray, the leads are both in place. I noticed the SCS had started working again about 3 weeks ago. I was unable to charge the unit last week and it ran down, pain score went to a 9, managed to charge the unit and the pain went back down to 3-4. So I know the SCS when fully charged is working. I'm just having trouble getting the paddle to link & connect to the battery to share the charge.

I placed the paddle charger on a different power source yesterday afternoon, got it fully charged and then tried to link it with my battery last night. It connected and I got some charge across, so turned the SCS unit on, then the paddle stopped working so I turned the SCS unit back off, linked the paddle to the battery again and this time it held the lights and the charge was shared. I turned the SCS unit back on again before I went to sleep. I managed with some fiddling this morning to share the paddle charge again to the SCS unit. Maybe the battery has turned slightly in its pouch (in my butt) and that's why the paddle is having difficulty sustaining the lights to share the charge.

I don't take Valium often, I'm prescribed it for the debilitating panic attacks I suffer. I have on occasion used it to help with the headaches and once or twice used it with the temgesic to help get my back pain under control. The xanax has only just been re prescribed & I won't take them both together. While I'm taking the xanax I want need the Valium. The reason why I don't like xanax is it is highly addictive and I've been dependent on it before about 5 years ago. I still believe when I stopped taking it cold turkey it's what caused the grand mal in 2012. Yet ironically it's what I'm prescribed now to prevent a seizure...

I'm sorry you suffer with daily muscle spasms in your upper limbs, life it's pretty damn hideous with muscle spasms and you have so much else going on. I often wonder if our dearly beloved husbands faced what we face on a daily basis if their pettiness would become less so.

I read an article yesterday a bill has been presented in parliament to prevent GP's prescribing opioids for acute pain. I can't see how that will work in the long run, when do they determine the acute is no longer acute but chronic and how does the individual function without pain relief for acute pain. I can see their reasoning behind it but feel it's going to cause more angst. Maybe the bill should be a GP can only prescribe opioid for acute pain 3 days maximum. I think there is still a huge disconnect between providers understanding exactly what is chronic pain and how it's not in our minds, additionally, most of us don't want to take the damn things we would be happier without them but they control the pain so we can function. The pain is real and it's there, it is not in our minds. We don't get high off the medication, or at least I know most of us here on NT don't. It's a very sad and sorry situation we chronic pain sufferers are going to face in the coming years as they enact more and more legislation to limit opioid addiction.

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Originally Posted by ger715 View Post
Pam,
I vaguely remember when you were dealing with Root Sleeve injections, epidurals a few months ago, there were issues whether the SCS was working and the possibility the lead moved (I think at the time your SCS was implanted, you said there was only room for one lead since you had so much scaring.) Either way, it appeared your SCS hadn't been working for some time.

Pam, you have so much going on and the side effects of so many steroids so close together may still be causing problems in your system.

You mentioned being prescribed Xanax for headaches. Also you had mentioned Valluim in the past as well. Do you take both of them with any regularity? I know they are both benzos and are for anxiety/panic disorders. The Vallium also is for muscle spasms which I take daily for my muscle spasms on the left side of my neck and shoulder.

Hope you can soon get things cleared up. This is all taking its toll on you.

Gerry
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Old 04-24-2017, 10:54 PM #212
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Glad the SCS is working again; especially since it really appears to make quite a difference in the pain. Might talk to the rep about the possible repositioning of the battery to enable a better charge for the paddle.

I mentioned in the PM about "rebound headaches"; there may possibly be a connection when taking the Xanax eventually causing rebound headaches. I went thru the "rebound" after taking Midrin which is for migraines. Eventually it would work for an hour or two then, then come back, take another; until my jaw muscles tightened, making it difficult to relax the jaw area which eventually worsened the spasms on the side of my neck. Eventually the supposedly cure becomes the cause that keeps the headaches coming.

You are so right about not getting a "high" when taking the opioids for chronic pain. I have no idea what a high would be like since even with the meds, the pain is lessened; but still pretty high on the # chart. I never take more than the prescribed amount and the Percocet for break thru I don't take the full amount I am allowed. I need to know I have some control and not looking to go into "la la land".

Pray these headaches you are dealing with soon become more tolerable.


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Old 05-20-2017, 06:44 PM #213
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Can't charge. Paddle won't establish a connection since Thursday. Turning it off at nights & when on I've turned it right down to lowest setting. See the rep on Tuesday. Aching isn't adequate to describe the pain but gives general gist of it. Changed new carpet down date to June 6 so the painter who starts on the 30th can be in and done before it goes down. Haven't been able to pack up or do anything due to the ache. DB has cleaned the garage out though and done a good job so once I start again I can move stuff easily into it and park my car out on the verge. Of all times to pack it in and stop working.
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Old 05-22-2017, 09:54 PM #214
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Pam,
Hope the rep can help with the SCS.

Maybe a slight increase in you pain meds might be in order. I know from experience, the side effects are nasty; but even a little extra might help make your pain more tolerable.


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Old 05-22-2017, 10:06 PM #215
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So I deliberately dropped the paddle charger onto the tiled floor from about a foot. It must have jolted the inner workings into place and I managed to charge yesterday & again this morning. I am still getting the charger replaced though, I'm not going through this again & I guess it explains why it's been harder & harder of late to yo get the paddle to connect & share its charge.
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Old 07-06-2017, 04:55 AM #216
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I got the paddle replaced and it's all been good since with respect to charging.

But the pain in my scapula region that horrid pain I had earlier this year between scapula and spine has returned today with a vengeance. I'm not at this point going to do anything other than increase my pain meds. I won't put my body and mind through all I went through in Feb, March & April. I swear in April I nearly lost my mind with the steroid reaction, the headaches, brain fuzziness, seemingly vertigo and memory loss. No way at all. I'm hoping I've just slept in an awkward position with the cold last night (we're still in the garage) but by the end of work today it was pinging. Not helping is our office heater being on the fritz and my office reached a maximum temp of 11. My hands were like ice blocks and despite being flat out all day, I was well aware of how cold it was and maybe that made the pain worse. Tomorrow is another day, let's pray it's gone away.
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Old 07-06-2017, 10:11 PM #217
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Pam,
I guess the fact that it is charging shows it's still working. Hopefully this will eventually clear up some of the pain. I would think being so cold and being in the garage is not helpful.

Can also understand your reluctance about the steroid injections. You really had an awful time of it. I think it was worsened by your having a series of steroids so close together.

Prayers coming your way......
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Old 07-07-2017, 05:10 AM #218
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Went to work early this morning, I had awoke at 3am with acute lower spine pain, got there for 8 and worked nonstop until 1.30 when I had all that needed doing done & I was bought home by staff to DB, who together with the staff insisted on calling an ambulance despite me saying the hospital won't do anything. Taken to hospital and they did X-rays. I screamed every time I moved it was that bad, I haven't been in acute lower back pain like this in a very long time. X-rays show the remaining 1/2 pedicle embedded titanium screw (left over from fusion in 1994 when the plates and screws snapped & all had to be removed in 1996 but couldn't take the broken 1/2 pedicle out as embedded to deep in vertebrae) has moved a few millimetres and I have a 6mm spondylolisthesis L5.

ED said their aim is to reduce pain with medication and they can't do anything until I see a specialist as I don't have any obvious fractures. I asked if that meant she was saying I should go home, yes, so I'm discharged in agony. Nurses all in disbelief the young ED doctor discharging me. Twice they asked her and she snapped, yes all she needs is drugs. So DB came in to help me up and out, a nurse helped me dress & I'm still involuntarily screaming every time I move. DB, he is very disappointed and dare I say shocked I've been given the bums rush and so callously. I said to him now you know why I'm always reluctant to go to hospital via ED as I'm labelled a drug addict. In the 2 beds either side of me while in ED were ICE addicts and round the corner another addict screaming and shouting for methadone. The young ED doctor just couldn't care less, she said more than once ED job is to reduce & manage pain so patient can go home or if necessary be admitted if there is an obvious fracture. No fracture so I can go.

I'm glad to be out, I've had X-rays, I know what's wrong and I can manage it from home until I see my own doctor. Oh ironically the ED doctor told me I would need to take more drugs... the upper back pain I realise now is referred from the lower back, I just didn't realise yesterday or the day before my lower back was so bad. It's always hurting to some extent so I've just put the thought aside.

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So I'm Home, the pain is not even remotely under control, I'm crying and screaming in pain & DB lecturing me " I should have said I'm here because I can't manage the pain at home" I've told him to leave it go, he's not making me feel better, and while I know me in this obvious pain is unsettling for him he needs to suck it up just like I am.

I read my discharge letter, it says I deny the following;
Having fallen in recent months (not true told them the falls I've had)
Taking drugs or alcohol

It goes on to say;
I've experienced relief from 5mg oxynorm, (not true, I said it had made no difference)
I'm discharged with an IR for buprenorphine & oxynorm. (No only script for buprenorphine) I queried it saying it says you've given a script for oxynorm 5mg, you haven't, but if I need it on Monday my doctor won't give it because they will say I had a script today. Nurse came back & apologised, said she didn't know why the "young ED doctor" wrote that, and gave an amended discharge letter.
I'm to see a specialist on Monday - oh yes I'll get in that quickly....
To return in 48 hrs if no better.. no chance of that
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Old 07-07-2017, 12:51 PM #219
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Oh Pam;
I can understand your frustration; but if anything came of this visit is knowledge where and what is going on. Hopefully you received copies of the x-rays to take home. The specialist doctor, I would assume, will have suggestions; other than drugs alone.

Knowing full well you are not into this for drugs. The ER experience is so frustrating to both you and DB. Hard for DB to "drink" this all in which actually is even more distressful for you.

I can't imagine how you even got thru the work day as long as you did. You are a real "trooper" my friend.

Gerry
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Old 07-07-2017, 01:27 PM #220
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I only went in because I have a new workers Comp claim for one of our store managers to lodge. Her AM hadn't done the investigation and without it I can't tell the insurers if it's a genuine claim. Plus we get penalised if it's more than 5 days post first notification, which it is as the girl has told so many lies. Got lots if other stuff sent off to the insurers for a number of the other claims, things like capacity certificates RTW plans, invoices etc, basically clear my inbox and tray as I knew how bad I was & worried I might not be back in for a while. The bummer is the claim I specifically wanted to lodge is still incomplete with worker not providing progress certificates so it so it can't be done til Monday.

The admin girls were picking printed items iff the printer so I didn't walk anywhere other than the toilet nest door to my office. Then the HR guy virtually carried me to my car and the admin manager & an area manager bought me home.

Its 2am, ive just taken another 5mg oxy & 5 mg Valium. In significant pain trying to be quiet, can't walk, right leg keeps buckling. My mum coming tomorrow, she's very unhappy being a former nurse who trained at the hospital I went to she's likely to ring them and blast them. She wants to take me to a private hospital tomorrow. Will see how I am.

Thanks Gerry for you kindness and support. I'm feeling very shoved in the corner. DB not coping at all and has to go to hospital himself 20th July for his Barrett's investigation. The good news is he's definitely not drinking!

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Oh Pam;
I can understand your frustration; but if anything came of this visit is knowledge where and what is going on. Hopefully you received copies of the x-rays to take home. The specialist doctor, I would assume, will have suggestions; other than drugs alone.

Knowing full well you are not into this for drugs. The ER experience is so frustrating to both you and DB. Hard for DB to "drink" this all in which actually is even more distressful for you.

I can't imagine how you even got thru the work day as long as you did. You are a real "trooper" my friend.

Gerry
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