Gill - Spinal Cord Stimulator is installed

Good luck with your trial. I had my trial in August and found it fantastic. Too be honest I didn't find it painful as I was given a local. I had my permanent implant at the end of October and stayed in hospital for 2 days (I live in UK)It was very painful after but was given medicine to help and I had a morphine pump on when I came back from theatre and this stayed on overnight.

I have had good and bad days since surgery and am due back for my first outpatients appointment today. I do think you need to be prepared that its going to be painful after the operation. I think that I have been really sore as the battery is implanted in my stomach and the leads have had to be fed round. Initially my whole side and back was black and blue but now most of my pain is where the leads are joining the electode in my back.

I am now 4 weeks after the operation and still not able to do much but the specialist did say it can take up to 6 months to fully recover. Worse thing is not being able to drive for at least 4 weeks!!! My advice is go ahead it certainly helps but do be prepared to be sore afterwards and make sure you have plenty to occupy yourself with!I will let you know how I get on with my check up and any more advice I get.Good luck.

My SCS Story - Why I post

Hello everyone.

I have had such a response to my posts about my various procedures; I have created a separate site dedicated to this subject matter.

Please feel free to post comments here and on http://scsproblems.blogspot.com/

Before I had my surgeries, I couldn't find anything dealing with the aftermath. I'm doing this so people can get a view, a personal view of what to expect because I was not aware of how I would feel after the procedure and how the trial would be different from the actual implant.
Please share your experience so others can get an expectation of the entire process.

Here are all the posts I have done on my procedures:
http://www.dhadm.com/content/my-life-under-the-knife-dealing-with-chronic-pain/
http://www.dhadm.com/content/ipg-ans-scs-and-dealing-with-chronic-pain/
http://www.dhadm.com/content/spinal-stimulation-medical-devices/
http://www.dhadm.com/content/high-tech-implant-phase-one-2/
http://www.dhadm.com/content/high-tech-implant-phase-one/
http://www.dhadm.com/content/high-tech-implant-phase-one-complete/
http://www.dhadm.com/content/spinal-cord-stimulator-is-installed/
http://www.dhadm.com/content/no-staples-spinal-stimulator-implant-in-place/

Marianne - My Trial

The trial is painful because they don't knock you out. The final implantation you will look like someone beat you with a bat. I have two four inch cuts, six one inch cuts.

You will have alot of pain after the implant. I think you need at least 4 weeks recovery if you do manual work. Don't lift anything heavy. It has helped my pain a bit. I still have to take meds. Mine was done in August.

Most hospitals will let you stay 24 hours after the surgery. I did and it helped so much. However surgery centers won't let you stay. I hope it helps you.

Sandra - SCS Trial

I’m having my trial on Dec 7! Really excited and really scared at the same time. Hopefully the surgery will be the week after that. I hope to return to work after Christmas break. That gives me about 2 weeks recovery. What do you think? Will that give me enough time or am I being overly optimistic???

Lindsay got an implant

Hello All!

I just had a implant put in on Friday 11/20/09. The doctors said the surgery could take between an hour to two hours. The way my doctor performed the surgery I was knocked out for the leads to be put in, woken up to see where the stimulation was working, and then put back out for the battery pack to be placed under the skin. I do not remember waking up during the procedure at all. It took an hour for my procedure to be completed. After the surgery there was a little pain and discomfort but nothing unbearable. My mom came and stayed with me to help with laundry and cleaning, but I was able to move slowly. I even went out to the store with my family less than 24 hours after the surgery. I am extremely hopeful that I will have success with this surgery. I will keep you updated!

Cathie :
Lindsay - where did they implant your battery pack?

Lindsay:
They implanted my batter pack in the buttock area.

Spinal Cord Stimulation: Risks and Benefits

Risks and benefits As with any surgical procedure, there are risks, including:
Infection
Bleeding
Headache
Allergic Reaction
Spinal Fluid Leakage
Paralysis

In addition, there are some risks that are specific to the spinal cord stimulator. These may include:
Stimulation stops or only works intermittently
Stimulation occurs in the wrong location
Over-stimulation

The lead could move or become damaged (this may require surgical repositioning or removal)
Poor system connection

However, there are also numerous benefits to using this type of therapy, including:
Spinal cord stimulation allows you to be in control of your pain relief - you decide when it is needed

Since the system is portable, you should be able to resume all of your usual daily life activities at home and at work

You can travel, since your pain relief travels with you (keep in mind that sitting for long periods of time can increase pain)

You will be able to participate in most recreational activities such as walking, swimming, and gardening

Alleviating some or all of you pain will have a positive effect on your mental outlook, decrease stress, and improve your overall quality of life

Things to Keep in Mind: Since spinal cord stimulators utilize electric impulses as well as magnets, there are a few precautions users must keep in mind, including:
1) Do not drive or use heavy equipment while the stimulator is activated. However, you can use the stimulator if you are a passenger.
2) Spinal cord stimulators may set off metal detectors (such as in airports). You will be given special identification that certifies you have a spinal cord stimulation system. Be sure to carry this with you to get you through these checkpoints.
3) Anti-theft devices (such as in retail stores) may temporarily increase stimulation if your system is on when you walk through. This will not harm the system, but may not be pleasant for you. It's usually best to turn off the stimulator before walking through any of these devices.
4) When flying, airline personnel may require you to turn off the stimulator during take off and landing.
5) Normal household equipment, such as cell or portable phones, computers, TVs, microwaves, and other appliances are safe to use with the stimulator. The stimulator should not cause any interference with these items.
6) The magnet on the stimulator control device may cause damage to certain items or erase information on items with magnetic strips such as bank or credit cards, video or audiocassettes, and computer disks. The magnet can also stop watches and clocks, so you may want to store the magnet at least two inches away.

Is it right for you? While there is no guarantee that spinal cord stimulation will alleviate all of your discomfort, most patients report a 50% - 70% decrease in pain. This decrease can make your pain much more manageable and allow you to return to a more active life. Not everyone can benefit from this therapy; however, it might be worth a visit to your spine specialist to see if you are a good candidate.

Spinal cord stimulator - Description

A spinal cord stimulator (SCS), also known as a dorsal column stimulator, (DCS) is an implantable medical device used to treat chronic neurological pain.

An electric impulse generated by the device produces a tingling sensation that alters the perception. The device is implanted into the epidural space either by percutaneous approach or by surgical laminectomy or laminotomy.

A pulse generator or RF receiver is implanted in the abdomen or buttocks. A wire harness connects the lead to the pulse generator.