Wow!
 

This was a very good and thankful post you sent to me here my friend!
I sincerely appreciate you telling me about why you are going w Paddles too, but I know I would never be able to take it. YET- I understand exactly what he means by them wandering or drifting over time. I also don't know where they intend on putting the battery unit either to be honest. Hmm. Actually, this coming Friday is my Trial date and I have heard a damn thing from anyone yet which kinda ****** me off a bit. The Medtronic website shows all sorts of things i need to fill out, log or journal during the trial, etc? Guess that doesnt mean too much does it? Its actually the Post Procedure pain Im worried about. That and fact that NO PAIN MED seems to work for me anymore which is scary!

A friend at work said something about her Dr prescribing Fentanyl Lollipops for her once, but when mentioned to my Dr he said he'd lose his license! WTH?
ALL I ask for in life is to be Pain Free. No matter the cost or control, just let me live pain free!! (Sorry)

Gunny, I would suggest you contact your doctor to reconfirm your trial rather than waiting. As I recall, the trial itself wasn't too painful.

The permanent, of course, is a lot more involved; especially the need to make a sort of pocket; often near the "butt" area to place the battery.

Please keep us informed.

Wishing you a very successful trial my friend....


Gerry

With the trial I had zero pain. The pain post permanent implant wasn't to bad, but they had complications and I was kept in for 4 nights. However if comparing that first time (the first time with the one lead) to the post lead revision (with the 2nd lead threaded) well that was a different story.
Do ring and confirm the trial Gunny, nothing worse than getting yourself all psyched up and it doesn't eventuate.

Gunny,

I pray your trial goes well. Please do keep us posted and I would follow up ASAP. For my trial, I kept my "journal" on the I-Pod I was given that also controlled my SCS. I would also talk to your doctor about your pain medication situation ahead of time, as well. Hopefully the SCS will provide you with the pain relief you are so in need of. I am having my permanent surgery on Tuesday, February 7th. I will keep you posted, as well.

LT

Gunny, it's Feb 3 where I am already, your in the US so you have a few hours to go yet. I hope and pray the trial goes without complication and you get some relief. Keep us in the loop if you can.

Almost One Week Now - Moved to St Jude
 

For the last 34 minutes I've sent msg after msg to Family & Friends informing them that I'm doing well after the surgery I've been trying hard to put off for so long! Then I figured may as well do it all at once using this method instead so that everyone will be informed = less ???

This morning I had a Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulation Device inserted into my spinal cord (literally inside all the spinal Vertabra itself!) He inserted the large needles, containing the wire leads inside, from about T-3, all the way up to C-1 - which according to my awesome Dr, was miraculous due to all the "exterior" scarring and visible arthritis! He was somehow able to get wires up to C-1, which you can see in the X-rays.

Fast forward - the "Brain" unit extends out of my back about a foot, and has a connective piece on my end. When the SCS "Remote Control" is placed on top of that piece, I am able to change the Stimulation "Pulse Rates & Programs" the Medtronics Rep, who was present. (If anyone knows what a "TENS UNIT" is - think of that inside my spinal cord touching the cord itself too!
I have 5 days to test drive this unit to observe if any pain relief is gained. Another forum I am on for other SCS patients have informed me how Over the Moon they are thanks to their SCS Implant, some not so lucky too. (Of course my screen name is none other than "Gunny Fitz" too! IF relief is found, then a permanent implant is done using a higher end unit that has many more features that detect my exact body position during use to ensure I don't electrocute myself!

At that time the Brain Unit will be inserted into a cut above my belt line on hip, and a better remote will control it's programs. Either way everyone, hopefully I'll be able to figure out if it truly works enough for me to make a decision. Right now I'm having intense pulses run down my right arm to fingertips NOT on specific point on my Cervical Spine - adjustment being made tomorrow.

My back looks like a mess with external wires etc. Whats cool is that the final version unit allows me to go try MRI Machines without it being ripped from my back too! Battery life is like 5-10 years but can also be wirelessly charged too - just like my Samsung Galaxy!! lmfao!

Turned out the Medtronic unit did NOT do anything for my Cervical Pain!
The Pulsated programs were only felt in the arms, and the High Frequency non pulsated ones may have worked a bit better but nothing at all was ever felt in the Cervical Region at all , which is very unfortunate! :eek:

Pic from Lead Install - which if you look closely at Xray were PERFECT according to Doc. He was able to get them ALL the way up to C-1 which he thought for sure he'd run into scar tissue inside, but was lucky. :cool:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SINCE THEN - They just changed out the Medtronic unit out with a St Jude's!

As in only one hour ago too! LOL. (They are using same leads as well- these Reps have a Professional Courtesy with each other which is great!) :grouphug:

Stay tuned.......

Been reading some very good reviews on how St Jude is using this new Burst Therapy instead of the usual "Tonic" = normal tingling and pulsating feeling of SCS, but they do NOT have this using the Program I am on now. I don't feel a thing, despite system being on its full potential for my issue (After going thru programming session w St Jude Rep)

Found some interesting stuff for reading - first actually written by a Medtronic Rep who actually appears to say the Burst Method by St Jude is working out better than the rest!

http://www.texaspain.org/assets/8%20...0final%207.pdf

Secondly - The numerous systems St Jude offers based on condition. I use the "iPod " type device but don't think its the one on the cover of this page of theirs. Good stuff in my eyes!

St. Jude Medical™ Invisible Trial System with Burst Technology | St. Jude Medical

Anyone have ANYTHING Good or Bad to say about St Jude's SCS systems - love to hear it!

Gunny,
Thanks for all the info provided. The only experience I had was about 6 or 7 years ago with a trial done with the St. Jude system. The rep was also in the room with the doctor doing the trial. Im sure much has changed with the St. Jude system since I had my failed trial done.

My pain was primarily spinal and leg pain. All the pulsating was in my groin and kneecap area. Very very uncomfortable. I had the trial done on a Thurs. or Friday; met with the rep on Monday at doctor's office. He tried several times to reprogram without any success. He left me to talk to the doctor. The doctor came in (never saw or spoke to the rep again) since he didn't bother to come in with the doctor. The doctor removed the trial apparatus, along with the wires inserted. I elected not to do another trial after that.

I sure hope with all the work you had done and a very committed staff, they will be able to make the necessary adjustments needed. Too bad about the cervical area. Hopefully an adjustment will at least relieve some of the intense pain you are dealing with.

Prayers are with you. Your tattoo is beautiful.

Please keep us posted.


Gerry

Very valid comments there Ger!

Shockingly, this St Jude unit is working out better than the Medtronics one, yet im not entirely sure relief is here. If anything, I'm very uncom6all over and can't find comfort sitting, standing, lying down etc and honestly can't wait until all this stuff is removed on this Tuesday.

Happy Valentines Day to me right! Lmao

I know that uncomfortable feeling well, you can't out yourself anywhere and nowhere offers much sought relief. When I spoke to my PM & rep about it, they explained the nervous system is over stimulated. Contact your rep and have them dial the ampage down. Sometimes reps think higher ampage works better but in fact lower watts has proven time and time again to be more effective. Mine is a Nevro unit, I don't get the tingling buzzing sensation so have no clue it's in other than a reduction in pain, and sometimes that reduction is minimal.

At present my whole unit is turned off, for other reasons (you can see my post under nerve root sleeve injections) I've been saying now for 3 months I don't think it's working, and I can tell you straight up, knowing the unit is off proves to me now I've been correct these last months. but in the main, for the last 3 years the unit did work. It's just on the fritz at present and will be interesting to see if they can make it work again or if eventually I will have to have it removed/replaced.