Gunny,

I did respond to your New Member intro..., You may want to check out.

Do you have a date for the SCS trial yet?


Gerry

Welcome Back Gunny! Hope you have a very happy New Year! Hugs.

February 3, 2017 at 1030 am is the scheduled date I will have my Medtronic Cervical SCS Trial Implant done. Fingers crossed for some "Good Vibrations" since this is pretty much my last resort at dealing w this pain!

I sent the Rep an email requesting the EXACT Model, details, etc of whats being used - just in case this helps others who've had the procedure provide me some feedback. I know this has NOT been helpful for some here (Gerry) which makes me feel horrible for those of you it hasn't. However, I pray there is still something out there which brings you relief, and I hope for the best for ALL here as well.

Also - oddly enough I found an OUTSTANDING Closed Group on Facebook over the weekend that has seriously welcomed me with open arms! (Almost too much attention for someone w PTSD actually- ) The "Spinal Cord Stimulator Support Group" on Facebook is chock full of people who've had EVERY brand of SCS known to man, all over the world, and has given me tons of feedback as well. Thought Id put that out there for anyone interested. You have to "Join" and everything written within does NOT get shown on your own FB page either! BIG PLUS! Anyone that joins up will see a huge post, with pics and articles of myself there - not that I have anything to hide at all. Im sure you'll be able to figure out which one is me!

Will keep you updated during the trial and after guys & gals. Really appreciate you all too! Stay warm no matter where you are!

Gunny,
will you be doing a trial on Feb. 3rd. or a permanent implant???. Give us a heads up. The doc offered me another trial; but I declined. You have to be mentally and physically prepared to see this thru. and I wasn't at the time. So I am okay. There are many that find an SCS successful.

There will be a lot of do and don't for several weeks; but if all goes will you be glad you did it. Expectations need to be realistic. Rarely do they go to all areas; but if a majority can be covered and you are in less pain and take less meds;. I call that a success.
We're praying for you Gunny.


Gerry

Based on what I learned from my Pain Management Dr the other day, when i had 30 Trigger Point Injections done (See attached pics) This is what he told me about the Trial:

- It will be "Leads" funneled up my entire Cervical Spine (NOT Paddles!!)
- I will be put under during the Lead insertion - viewed thru Fluoroscopy by the Doc. Then woken up while they activate the SCS Stim to determine if they have the leads in the proper spot - Don't know how he couldnt if its going to cover
C-2 down to C-7, and he will also put a lead down the center line, and another on the right side where the majority of my pain is located.
*Obviously, the main unit will be taped to my back or shoulder during trial.

- After a week using the Pre-Programmed unit, I will give them whatever feedback I have, and hopeful pain relief results too! Then, they can either tweak the SCS Unit - which since my pain is THAT BAD I am sure Id need some extra juice when times are brutal. OR- reposition the leads IF and only IF going forward with the actual Implant will be done permanently. At that time, as you know, the main unit will be placed under the skin of my hip or butt (Unsure) and leads ran up to the Cervical Spine area.

I was always curious if one could obtain things such as massage, chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, etc AFTER the healing period of final implant?? I have not had any Cervical adjustments done in over 1-2 years since this area is so incredibly sensitive and I didnt wish to risk anything being done to make things worse ya know? Also, the Chiro I see can never seem to adjust my Thoracic areas, nor lumbar areas at all, which is BS since others have in the past. Guess this guy isn't strong enough to really get it since I still seem to have the muscular build I once had in EXTREME form during my tail end in the Marines! FYI - he does those adjustments "Face Up" instead of face down too. My lower back is so tight its unreal and hasn't been "Cracked" in YEARS! Ugh.

So, I do not have the exact model, programs, or anything else yet since this needs to be determined by BOTH the Dr and Medtronics Rep together I guess.
Hope this answers some of your questions Gerry? Additionally, that SCS Spinal Group on Facebook is truly astonishing with pics and stories about so many different people its unreal. Its been a serious learning experience for real. Im actually VERY happy that I am NOT going the "Paddle" route since my Doc explained a Neuro Surgeon would need to do this due to cutting away spinal vertabra bone, and a much larger incision to heal from too! Paddles may bring some benefits, with more risks, thus the Perc Lead procedure is just fine w me for this step in my life! Anyone think otherwise or have anything they wish to add is absolutely free to do so folks! As always, thanks for the support here!

"Gunny"