OT: Spinal cord stimulator experiences anyone?

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 03, 2022 1:05 pm

There is light at the end of the tunnel. But it's a long tunnel.

most happy to hear things are going so well!

Pugsy that is wonderful news that you have gotten relief. I am so happy for you.

Hugs

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 03, 2022 1:05 pm

There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Glad to hear that there is enough improvement to justify going ahead with the surgery. If you can say there is light at the end of the tunnel, that's a very good sign! No belly dancing for awhile though.

Pugsy, I'm so happy to hear that your pain is considerably less. That's wonderful! I hope they can get you in and out of the final surgery quickly, and am praying to that end.

Something weird to report. I don't know if placebo or what but the return to pre trial pain levels has been gradual and not like an on/off switch. That doesn't compute but it's there. The pain on walking started to return last night.

I have appointment Feb 1 with neuro surgeon to discuss the permanent surgery. So I have time to mull things over.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 05, 2022 9:27 am

Something weird to report. I don't know if placebo or what but the return to pre trial pain levels has been gradual and not like an on/off switch. That doesn't compute but it's there. The pain on walking started to return last night.

I have appointment Feb 1 with neuro surgeon to discuss the permanent surgery. So I have time to mull things over.

here's hoping it's a "one off" and things settle down.

Pugsy, you may have experienced a carry over effect, where relief extends slightly
beyond the duration of neurostimulation.
You may share this observation with your doctor, but you may not be the first.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 07, 2022 4:39 pm

Pugsy, you may have experienced a carry over effect, where relief extends slightly
beyond the duration of neurostimulation.
You may share this observation with your doctor, but you may not be the first.

So there's a name for it...hmmmm....it lasted until Wednesday evening. Really weird.
At any rate when things were back to "normal" yesterday and I am hobbling around like a 150 year old bent up old woman.... I tell hubby........"I am going to get the procedure".

Update...saw the neuro surgeon earlier this week.

The permanent stimulator placement surgery is currently scheduled for the 17th of this month...2 weeks from today.
General anesthesia and as an out patient.
OMG...I am the first patient that morning. I have to be there by 5:30....crap, that's really early for this night owl.

Interesting they did make a point of telling me to bring the cpap machine and mask. Apparently when using general anesthesia they slap the machine on you while in the recovery room. I was told this was something rather new in their grand scheme of things when a general anesthesia is used on someone with sleep apnea and currently using a machine.
They don't do it when we get the "light sedation" stuff or the "I don't care what you do to me" drugs. It's just the general anesthesia use that prompts the cpap in recovery room use. Will probably just take the P10 since it is so easy to wear and use.

Oh...and another thing....covid test of course and they are now using the saliva test instead of the brain scraping test.
That was really good news to me because that brain scraping up the nose thing was REALLY uncomfortable....I wasn't looking forward to another one of those at all.
Gotta take it in to somewhere to drop it off on Monday the 14th along with going in to have the usual pre surgery blood draws.

I'll take first thing in the morning over afternoon when he's tired from doing surgeries all morning standing on his feet. Here's wishing you great success.

squid13 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 03, 2022 4:47 pm

I'll take first thing in the morning over afternoon when he's tired from doing surgeries all morning standing on his feet. Here's wishing you great success.

Yeah, I know that in my brain but it still doesn't make getting on the road at 4:30 any easier to swallow because I know for sure I won't be able to go to sleep early. Went through this early bird crap back when I did the trial of the stimulator.
I was pleasantly surprised to get it scheduled so quickly. I was actually thinking that I would be lucky to get it done by the end of March. They do have to get insurance approval of course but what they do is go ahead and schedule the procedure....if something happens and insurance hasn't approved it yet then they just cancel and reschedule.
They did say that they don't anticipate a problem though what with all the stuff I have had done for pain relief in the past.

Have to sort of take it easy the first month but after that "can do whatever you want to do without restrictions".
Hubby will be home for about a week after the procedure to baby sit me.

Wishing you the best Pugsy. I have a Nevro stimulator for about nine months. It does take time to get to the correct program so be patient. I am better but it is not going to totally relieve all your pain but will help. Reach out with any questions.

Pugsy, I'm so glad that your surgery is only two weeks out! I'll be praying that all goes well for you.

Sounds like you are going to be asleep for the procedure, so just stay up the night before. My hubby is a night owl and has done that before his surgeries.

Quick update.

It's done and I am home...and ahead of the nasty icy/sleety/crappy weather that we are likely to get.

Didn't need the cpap machine at all but took it just in case. They told me it is rare that they really need to unpack and use them in the recovery room but they have people bring them.....just in case.

2 incision sites and they are both very sore....code for "give me a pain pill".

The actual device won't be turned on until this weekend after we get a chance to have the incision sites get a bit less annoying.

It hurts...but I will survive.