Hello Friend's (or soon to be)!

Long time lurker but first time posting. I have suffered the beast known as CRPS/RSD for the past three years. Without hesitation I can say it is hell. After trying medication, blocks, pool therapy, land therapy, acupuncture, isolation tank, etc SCS was my next option.

I have done my fair share of reading articles, forums, basically any information I can find I am very hopeful that it will provide relief. To be truthful it is an overwhelming amount of anticipation and anxiety. I will be using St. Jude products and having a hard time deciding which version to choose (battery or rechargeable).

I reach out to this great community as I'm sure I will have questions or need to write a sob story .

Thanks for taking the time to read!

Hi there, I've got a Nevro and it's a rechargeable one that I do every morning. Takes 45 min at most. I hope the trial goes well for you and you get the hoped for decrease in your pain levels.

Welcome to the group!

Glad you came out of lurk mode. Hey, there is NO shortage of support here! Several members have St Judes and are happy. As far as which type of battery, "Pooh" comes to mind. She'll give you good input on this, regarding the battery.
I have a rechargeable and only have to recharge once every 2 wks or so. I run mine on a very low frequency, plus I'm only running on one lead. My other lead migrated and we just pulled it out w/o replacing it since I was doing so well with just the one lead.

It'll be great getting to know you. You are so right! Getting one of these units can certainly be a frantic wait and such a process to go thru. But, step by step, you'll get there and hopefully you have a good doctor you can trust.
We'll be with you all the way, so pull up a chair, relax and everything will get sorted.

Rae

Hey crpshurts! You have come to the right place for info and support. I found this place when I was researching SCS's. I had two implanted in June 2011, thoracic and cervical. They were St Jude also. Which are you having, cervical or thoracic? If you are having a thoracic one implanted, talk to the doctor about paddle leads since they are less likely to migrate. Percutaneous leads migrate too easily. I had to have a revision on the thoracic one five months after initial implant because the leads migrated. They switched them out for paddle leads and moved that battery. I had rechargeable units implanted for both, they are supposed to have a longer life than the non-rechargeable one. The non-rechargeable is suppsed to last seven years, but that is only when using it on low to medium ssettings. The rechargeable is supposed to last 10 years. I always charged one a week while watching TV...no big deal.

I got mine removed three weeks ago because of some issues with them. I do not regret ever getting them because they helped me to work another 1 1/2 years.

The great thing is that you can have a trial to see how much it will help you.

Good Luck!
Nanc

Thanks for the quick warm welcomes! I feel like I know many of you from reading so much on these forums. I have CRPS throughout my left leg I forgot to mention that in initial post. I sit in an office chair all day at work. There really is not a good position for me in terms of pain but sitting is certainly less painful than standing.

I'm sure this is a common problem for chronic pain sufferers. I'm constantly moving my leg to find that good position (haven't found it yet). I can google posture/sitting all day/etc and get lots of answers, basically I'm looking for anyone's ideas or experience with chronic leg pain and office chairs. I do use one of those adjustable foot rests.

Thanks again!

I have been leaning more towards the rechargeable version. I believe I would be getting a lumbar since I have the condition in left leg (I could be wrong there). When I started discussing SCS with my PM he of course brought up migration and said that he had learned (don't remember exact verbage) some techniques to help reduce common migration issues. I'm hoping that I don't have to go through the angst of that situation. Of course it is a possibility so I just have to be understanding. I will discuss with my doc paddles vs leads again thanks for the insight.

welcome on in...great group here as you already know..

My unit is Medtronic Adaptive Stim...rechargeable battery in my r buttock...I use a low setting and recharge while I sleep twice a week. All the equipment works exceptionally well. It gives me enough relief so I can exercise and swim.

HB

Oh my indeed. The chair thing.
I went out searching for the perfect chair for me at my job (before I couldn't work anymore). I paid with my own $ and everything. I basically sat in a lot of chairs until I found what I thought to be the best choice. Mine was for my lumbar pain and back spasms tho.
A foot rest sounds like a good idea. Something that would take the pressure off your leg as you sit. Even just a box of copy paper or something to put your leg upon.

I have a footrest at the kitchen table; as well as one that I bring along when going to a restaurant. It really helps with taking the pressure of the back of the legs.

I also use my elbows on the table to relieve pressure from the spine as well. When sitting on a chair; other than at a table; I make sure the chair has arm rests; again to relieve the pressure; legs, butt; spine.

Just a few little extras to relieve some of the pain when sitting.



Gerry

Tomorrow is the day friends wish me luck!