I have had my Nevro Senza SCS for around four months, so still early days and being fine tuned, but so far I am really pleased with it and can generally reduce my pain levels by about 50% by using the different programs and power levels available to me.

Get a little bit miffed with charging every couple of days, but it's a small inconvenience and I am sure it will become habitual in time.

All the best, Wingy

Hi Wingy, thanks for your input.
How long does your battery last? The doc I spoke to today said it had to be recharged everyday, which isn't always convenient in my job. I am having my trial next week with the view to having the Nevro SCS fitted within a couple of weeks of the trial if all goes well. Starting to get butterflies about it. Look forward to following your progress.

Phil

I normally get 48hrs before i need to recharge, it helps if you can knock the power usage down a bit a night.

I find that I can charge up whilst doing odd jobs around the house no problem, just keep an eye that you are getting a good charge connection otherwise charging can go on a bit.

Good luck with the trial, hope it goes well for you.

Oh and remember that there is a wash in period (delay) before benefits are felt.

Wingy

Hi Phil, I've got a Nevro Senza as well. In the main I charge every day, I do have mine on 24/7 and some days it charges quicker than others. There are also days when for one reason or another I miss charging, not often mind, but it does happen and it's not the end of the world. So long as you don't let it run completely out of charge there are no issues.

Thanks Pamela & Wingy for your feedback. It's always better to get real life experiences. Had a talk to the Nevro Rep on Friday as well and found out a bit more, so now just the nervous wait till Monday arvo.

Hi Phil, good luck with the implant. There is a bloke on NT called Mark56, take some time to read his recommendations following your implant. He has coined it BLAST.
B No Bending
L No lifting
A it's an acronym and he had nothing for it, I included for myself ASK for help
S No stretching
T No twisting the body to put on seat belts
Truly the trial implant caused me no discomfort, more it was the frustration of the dang leads catching on things and the removal of the leads also caused no pain or discomfort at all.

Here are some extra suggestions to help you with the trial period to make sure you get the most out of it and also for when you have the actual implant done.

Post surgery
1. Follow Mark56 BLaST really limit bending, lifting, straining, stretching or reaching out and twisting - that includes being careful after number twos...
2. Have a stock of pre cooked or ready made meals in the freezer.
3. Don't stack or unpack the dishwasher, hand wash dishes as you go.
4. Move milk from bottom fridge door to higher point so as to not reach down.
5. Get someone else to clean house, load and unload washing machine, hang washing or put in clothes dryer and fold up on removal, strip beds and remake etc etc.
6. Have a friend or family member wash your hair if you need it washing, don't be tempted to do it yourself as you shouldn't be lifting your arms above shoulder height.
7. Remove anything like rugs or mats on the floor that could cause you to trip.

Once you have the implant done if trial successful, all of the above plus;

A. For the next 8 weeks every time you move imagine you are walking on ice and you want to take all precaution not to slip or fall. It will make you move slower and with emphasis on being careful.
B. Mark off on your calendar when you can begin to do things so you are not tempted to throw bales of hay, prepare celebratory meals, drive long distances, do the weekly shopping or get carried away with exercise.
C. Establish a routine to charge your battery and remember just because you feel good and look good doesn't mean it's all healed up inside....
D. Most of all, take your time and enjoy the recovery and journey back to living a full life.

All us SCS dudes and dudettes are here for you post surgery. Good luck and we will be thinking of you. :

Thanks Pam for the suggestions and support. I guess I'm getting real ansy about it as it looms closer. Got home from work around 0300 this morning and ended up not hitting the sack till about 3 hours later. Read through Mark56's BLAST and tried to work out how that was gonna work. Might be spending a night or two in the lounge chair till I sort things out. Still trying to work out if we are in a position for me to take 12 weeks off work after the implant. My PM is away for the whole of July so if the trial is successful it has to be very soon after or not till August or later. If I wait that long I might talk my self out of it.

Must remember to make a list of questions to ask tomorrow, like how soon you can do what etc.How soon before I can go back to work and what I can do there too. Not a lot in the way of light duties at work for me to do, and I'm guessing climbing up a ladder to get into a loco will be way out of the question.

Anyway thanks for listening, this is all an unknown for me so I appreciate the support and help that has come my way.

Phil

Hi Phil,

Take one step at a time mate, see how you get on with the trial and what benefits you have before going ahead with a permanent implant, you don't want to be having all the disadvantages of a permanent unit without any of the advantages.

Sorry, not wishing to put a downer on things mate, but it ain't for everyone, but hey fingers crossed it will be good for you and you can then move onto the next stage eh.

All the best for Monday, oh and by the way, I too had no discomfort with the trial being fitted or removed.

Wingy

Well, I spent my night in hospital and had the machine hooked up this morning and have made it back home safe and sound. Trying not to get my hopes up but after 9 or 10 hours I appear to be getting some relief in my neck and head which were the areas they were targeting. Same can't be said about a few other areas but they weren't part of the plan.

Even my lovely, extremely patient wife say my face isn't as strained as usual. So as Wingy said, fingers crossed and it will be all systems go. I realise it is only day 1, but I'm optimistic that these are good signs. I just have to make it through to Tuesday without doing anything stupid.

Thanks everyone for your support.

Phil