[Nanc]

Hi guys! Getting a little nervous right now. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning to have both my cervical and thoracic stimulators removed

Doctor thinks he might have to do a laminectomy to remove the thoracic lead (paddle) since one was not done to place it. Said he will know more when he gets in there. I sure hope it is not too difficult getting this stuff out as I do not want to spend the night at the hospital (he said that might happen).

I hate that I am losing them, but they are no longer effective and causing some other issues.

Wish me luck
Nanc

[PamelaJune]

Originally Posted by Nanc

Hi guys! Getting a little nervous right now. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning to have both my cervical and thoracic stimulators removed

Doctor thinks he might have to do a laminectomy to remove the thoracic lead (paddle) since one was not done to place it. Said he will know more when he gets in there. I sure hope it is not too difficult getting this stuff out as I do not want to spend the night at the hospital (he said that might happen).

I hate that I am losing them, but they are no longer effective and causing some other issues.

Wish me luck
Nanc

Thinking of you and wishing you a very speedy recovery. I had to have my pins and plates removed in 1996 as the titanium screws and plates had snapped in half. Bones are stronger than titanium fancy that. Anyway, as soon as I awoke from the surgery I could tell they had been removed. Sure the surgical site hurt a little, but the relief from having the plates removed was immense as that particular pressing intense pain was gone. I had new screws and rods put in place in 2013 in a double spinal fusion and had a Nevro Senza HF SCS implanted in December 2013 just gone. Be patient and do as the nurses and doctor tells you for a speedy recovery, if he does a laminectomy I would be very surprised if they let you go home (and concerned). So sorry you have to get them removed and wondering why, also, what will you have for continued pain relief ongoing or will you look at a pump, or stick with oral meds. Anyhow, that's all b b for now, good luck, be well, be safe

[Hannabananna]

Nanc,

So will be having you in my thoughts tomorrow.

I so hope no laminectomy for you.
Looks like a long year as you will have to heal well to determine if the pain pump could be an option IF any/all the pain returns.

One step tomorrow....please do tell all as I am considering getting mine out and I really enjoy your input from so much experience.

HB

[Nanc]

Originally Posted by PamelaJune

Thinking of you and wishing you a very speedy recovery. I had to have my pins and plates removed in 1996 as the titanium screws and plates had snapped in half. Bones are stronger than titanium fancy that. Anyway, as soon as I awoke from the surgery I could tell they had been removed. Sure the surgical site hurt a little, but the relief from having the plates removed was immense as that particular pressing intense pain was gone. I had new screws and rods put in place in 2013 in a double spinal fusion and had a Nevro Senza HF SCS implanted in December 2013 just gone. Be patient and do as the nurses and doctor tells you for a speedy recovery, if he does a laminectomy I would be very surprised if they let you go home (and concerned). So sorry you have to get them removed and wondering why, also, what will you have for continued pain relief ongoing or will you look at a pump, or stick with oral meds. Anyhow, that's all b b for now, good luck, be well, be safe

Wow Pamela, you have really been thru it!

I know what you mean about instant relief. My thoracic battery was moved to my right front side and it has been twisted and hurting for a while. While I do have the incision pain, the battery pain is gone! That is one of the reasons I had them removed, another reason is that the thoracic paddle lead had migrated again. Other than that, the effectiveness has worn off. I had both implanted in June 2011 to help with my RSD pain. They did help a lot, in fact they helped me get thru another year and a half of work, helped with desentization and helped increase movement in my left (RSD) arm.

Not sure what we will do for pain management now. PM dr recommended the pain pump and my PCP said no way. I am allergic to pretty much everything, so they don't know what they will put in it. The only pain meds I can tolerate is demerol (but get a bad headache from it). I am looking for a new PM dr.

Surgery went pretty well this morning. Dr told me if he had to do a laminectomy I would be spending the night...thankfully he did not have to do one, so it was out patient. Dr told my husband that everything came out fairly easy...so thankful!!

Gotta sleep now

[Nanc]

Originally Posted by Hannabananna

Nanc,

So will be having you in my thoughts tomorrow.

I so hope no laminectomy for you.
Looks like a long year as you will have to heal well to determine if the pain pump could be an option IF any/all the pain returns.

One step tomorrow....please do tell all as I am considering getting mine out and I really enjoy your input from so much experience.

HB

Hey HB! Thanks for thinking of me. No laminectomy my husband and I are both amazed at how good I am getting around. Dr wasn't sure what he was gonna run into until he got in there. He did not have any issues getting everything out. If you decide to have yours removed, I would highly recommend going to a neurosurgeon to do it. That recommendation was made to me here on NT. My pain dr said it would be complicated, I did not want him doing it!

My SCS's were implanted for RSD pain, so the pain is definitely still there The pain pump is not a good option for me...allergic to everything

Gotta try to sleep now...Falling asleep here

Thanks again
Nanc

[PamelaJune]

Well done you on getting through that. I really hope and pray you can find a pain solution. I changed PM doctors at recommendation of my neurosurgeon and he has been so very good to me. Not that my last one wasn't but after 6 years of same old same old we felt a new interpretation worthwhile. It's a merry go round this pain management cycle isn't it. Rest, stay safe, warm and relaxed.

[eva5667faliure]

very nicely said
take good care to all

[Rrae]

Wow, Nanc, it's finally said and done. This has been a long haul for you and I'm glad you didn't have to have a complicated surgery to get it done.

I hope you aren't experiencing too much surgical pain. When I had one of my leads removed a couple years ago, I remember that I didn't feel a THING! But getting 2 complete units out is certainly a far cry from my one little lead .

Like you said, the units served a good purpose and bought you more time on your job and while you were getting other things straightened out.

I hope you are comfortable and getting the rest you need. I'm so glad you have the help that you do. Your husband is a charm for taking off work.

Consider yourself ((((HUGGED))))

Rae

[Nanc]

Originally Posted by Rrae

Wow, Nanc, it's finally said and done. This has been a long haul for you and I'm glad you didn't have to have a complicated surgery to get it done.

I hope you aren't experiencing too much surgical pain. When I had one of my leads removed a couple years ago, I remember that I didn't feel a THING! But getting 2 complete units out is certainly a far cry from my one little lead .

Like you said, the units served a good purpose and bought you more time on your job and while you were getting other things straightened out.

I hope you are comfortable and getting the rest you need. I'm so glad you have the help that you do. Your husband is a charm for taking off work.

Consider yourself ((((HUGGED))))

Rae

Thanks Rae! OMG am I in pain. All four incision sites are hurting big time, but I know that pain is only temporary. I am so glad that this surgery is over! I am just hanging out in my recliner and watching tv. Spending the night in the recliner too - no way I can lay flat.

Thanks again for the hug and well wishes!
Nanc

[Mark56]

That pain from removal has to be Gi-Normous..... I have prayed for you, my friend.

Praying all will be well as you seek the next best pain management solution.... and since RRAE so overdid the HUG...... [I am not that strong yet] I will just

you and the room