Wires came out yesterday and I reckon within 6 to 8 hours things started to head back to normal. Which I guess proves how well it was working, but I was hoping for some sort of overflow effect for a day or two. Oh well, that's life.

Initially I was pencilled in for the permanent unit in a few weeks but decided to fob them off a bit. I'm half way through training a driver at our depot and used that as the excuse so I could complete his training. I mean after all this time, what's a few more months. After a long talk with my Ever-Loving last night, it was decided to see if the slot was still available.

So the upshot is, I'm booked in for the 23rd. No turning back now. Did I mention the fact that I am allergic to pain? That was part of the reason for putting it off I suppose. Afterall, what I have now is a "known" whereas having an implant installed is very much an unknown. If I have learned nothing else from the forum, no two implants seem to go the same, or work the same. Anyway that's my gripes for the day, hope everyone is feeling as best as they can be.

Phil

You go Phil
A success in progress
As no two fingers are alike
Your mind works with good outcome
A successful work in progress
Amen

Be strong and really and truly follow all the suggestions made in this site post implant and you will be well placed for a successful outcome. You are having the Nevro implant so it is percutaneous leads and no paddle implant. That in itself means you will have far less pain than some of the others with other brands. The paddle means you have a laminotomy where they scrape out bone to implant it and it, like a laminectomy hurts like hell. The leads slide up the spinal canal in the same place you had the trial ones so it should go ok. Are you under a PM specialist or a neuro?

Phil, you seem to be overlooking one of the main advantages of having the permanent implant, allow me to enlighten you:

You have to charge the IPG every so often, i find this the perfect opportunity for the following:

I would love to go to your mother's, but I have to charge up!

Oh course I want to take you clothes shopping, but I have to charge up!

No I don't want to sit here drinking beer, but what else can I do, I'm charging up!

Washing up dear, no problem, I'll do it as soon as I finish charging up!

I think you get my drift mate

Wingy

Wingy, that's priceless. Ironically it is so very true.

I'm not sure about you but lately I'm having trouble getting 2 bars when charging and the 1 bar means it takes forever to charge. I find myself getting frustrated and that blasted beeping when it drops from the 1 green to the flashing orange really can tip me over the edge. Yesterday it took ages to charge and finally I settled in an uncomfortable spot in the sofa but got the longed for 2 bars. Dearly beloved said to me, are you getting lunch anytime soon. I could only imagine I looked and delivered the exorcist head turn (remember the movie) and I'm sure my face must have been a curdled green as I replied "feel free to help yourself in the kitchen, perhaps you could find the energy to make us both something to eat if you can't wait until I'm charged OR you will find yourself eating my charger darling".

I know if I can get a solid 3 bars it charges really quickly, but the 3 are fleeting and seem to only happen when the charger has the lightest of contact with the battery site but disappears once any pressure is applied. Does anyone else have the same frustration. Sometimes I just want to throw it all away.

I do realise my personal emotions are at an all time high because my pain level has increased considerably and I'm cross and cranky a lot of the time as the SCS doesn't give cover in those areas. So if anyone is reading this and thinks the thing doesn't work or is not worth it, it's just me being cranky....

I met a guy in hospital that had Medtronic unit on one side, a Nevro on the other and was trialing a Nevro with a view to replacing the Medtronic, he looked like the back end of a tropical fish tank, tubes and wires all over the place. I would hate to be around him at charging time... he is gonna be one angry dude

Know what you mean about the charging lights, it reminds me of that game with the bendy wire and the handheld metal loop that buzzes if you get it wrong, I was thinking of finding the exact sweetspot and sewing the charging coil into a waistcoat so you just put the waistcoat, do it up and it is spot on every time, sounds great in theory but you just know that it is doomed to fail

Actually my IPG is just a couple of mm below the skin surface at the front, (about where you would have an appendix scar), so for me it is not too bad, I tend to be able to get three lights up most of the time unless I am moving around a lot, in which case I wander about sounding like a truck reversing.

Wingy

Thanks Wingy,
That made my day! I like your way of thinking. :-) My beautiful Lady has already thought of using me as an excuse not to go certain places after the implant. Gotta watch these female types, they are devious at the best of times.

My supervisor at work has been very helpful, which I appreciate, I just finished filling out some forms to send to him applying for leave to cover most of the 12 weeks. Between using Personal Leave, Annual Leave and Long Service Leave, I have it all covered and will even have a little in reserve. That in itself is a relief and will help keep the financials partly under control.

Yes Pam, the plan is to follow directions as much as humanly possible. Over the trial week, Rae even had our grand daughter rousing at me if I went to move the wrong way. I had no choice but to behave. Asked my Pain Specialist about riding my bike during the latter parts of the 12 week period, and he said fine as long as I don't lift it, crash or turn my head. So I guess that's out too. Given that it weighs over 330kg I suppose it might be pushing my luck just a little bit.

Thanks Eva for your positive thoughts, no doubt I'll be needing them after the implant till I get sorted out. Hope your day is going well.

Catch everyone later, I have a run of late shifts starting tomorrow so might not be on line much. Keep well, and stay positive.

Phil

Hey! We need to get this up in the 'Stickie Section' with all the other valuable info!!