Spinal Cord Stimulator

So glad to  hear that.  

Hi Linda,

Just a quick catch up, my brother died 3 times brain dead, was gonna get him comfortable and do one more eeg and he woke up, now he's in a rehabilitation home, so on the right track. Just wanted to let everyone know that it was one heck of a week for me, so sore, pain unbelievable and tired.....I will keep you posted.

Cindy (Cynthia)

Holy Moly! Poor you! and Poor your brother! Is this from a diabetic coma? So scary! And you had to push yourself so hard even though you are living with that unbelievable pain.  I totally understand where you care coming from. I have decided to go through with the RFA - I'm getting it done Wednesday. They are dong the right side - at L3 and L4. I was seriously considering canceling it because they told me they were doing it at L3 and I was convinced that was the wrong level. And I made an appointment with the doctor - finally got to see him for the first time, and he told me they would do the right side first, and they would do both levels because the pain is mostly in my foot, then later wie'll do the left side and we'll do L2-L3 beause the pain is mostly in my left thigh on that side (although I am starting to get neuropathy in my left foot). If we can get those 2 areas feeling better, I might actually be able to go for a walk. Not sure about that because if I walk for any distance, I start getting that aching and catching in my back. Sometimes I have problems walking from my bedroom to the kitchen. It's like something is catching on the left side - to tell you the truth - and this just hit me - this is new.  Maybe I should tell the doctor? Now that I think about it, I think I should. Maybe on my follow up after the RFA which is scheduled for Wednesday.

Take care, and please stay in touch.  I understand it is hard.  Praying for you and your brother.

Linda

Linda,

I hope you the best for your procedure, my site where the battery is sitting is hurting so bad right now, I feel like the skin is ripping and I know it can't be, but darned it hurts, and the rep wants to turn this on

Oh no, I will put up the biggest fight, like oi said I will deal with the pain that I had even though it's worse with the stimulator in I want it out. Brother is in nursing home today, they moved him last night. I'll keep you updated and you let me know how you are feeling

Good luck

Cynthia cindy

My gosh Cindy, you've got to get that battery out.  I read the other day that a woman had a similar problem with the Medtronic. I guess it depends a lot on the surgeon and how they place the battery. I have a doctor that I value his opinion more than anyone in the world. He told me that he thinks I should delay getting the Nevro until they make more improvements on it. Yeah, I'm getting my RFA tomorrow.  I was reading that it takes 1-2 weeks before you start feeling any benefit, and 2-4 weeks to get the "full" effect.  I hope that my pain is not worse in the beginning because of course they don't give you any extra pain killers to deal with the pain.  I'm on Medicaid - welfare health insurance - at the moment, and I need to get more sleeping pills - I take Trazodone.  Thank goodness, I have plenty.  I found out that they make you go see a psychiatrist first! So I had my appt today, and found out that it was just the 2 hour intake today. Luckily we were done in 1 hour. But then, it takes a month to get in to see the nurse practitioner to get the prescription.  Luckily, my prescription is for 2 trazodone a night and I usually just take 1. Or sometimes I don't take any and I stay up all night. So thank goodness I have plenty. But could you imagine if you need it right away and you can't get it for a month? And get this, I have to go see a counselor once every 3 months, even though I managed to convince them I don't need a counselor. They asked me if I was depressed. Well, geez, what do you think???? But I just told them, well, I think I may have a little depression because of my chronic pain.  How is your brother? I hope it's okay to ask if he suffered brain damage? Or do they know yet? I have been praying for you.  I hope you can get that damn battery out right away.  Push.  Call them every day! Be a pain in the ass.  That's the only way to get anything done.  But do it nicely.  I found that's what works.  You call and call and you're a pain in the ass, but you're NICE and SWEET about it.  Don't you just hate people like that? But it works.  Take care,

Linda

Hi Linda,

Yes I have medicaid 2nd they are a pain, I remember when I had just them as insurance, pain in the ass, hes doing OK, he forgets little things but I noticed last night texting him he was repeating alot but he's in the nursing home so they can take care of him and get him stronger, eventually he wants to do that anyways, it would be good for him, you know 55 and older place. But just hurting rundown and my birthday is the 11th in a day. I just want to rest and he has me going I do understand, but he doesn't know how bad I'm hurting trying to get this and that. So its snowing today and I have to go to store for shampoo and body wash ugh

I'm glad he's here but I did call the rep and he wants to mess around with stimulator, oh no I'm not gonna be his guinea pig, I'm done this battery is killing me, nomore testing get it out, done with this thing its not for me.

I'll keep you updated hope everyone have somewhat a pain free day!

Cindy ( Cynthia)

Hi Cynthia,

I had my RFA done today. I've been laying down with an icepack.  So far my back doesn't hurt, but right afterwards my leg hurt so bad I couldn't pick it up to put my sock on, but it seems ok now.  I'm so lucky, and I am very grateful that I have my boyfriend to help out.  We go grocery shopping together and he carries everything in. I just have to put them away. Also, lucky to be in AZ, so no snow, but that won't be the case next year... we're moving to Boise!  I'm from Colorado, but I've been here for 20 years, and I've gotten spoiled to the mild winters.  I also wonder how I'll do with my screws, and my rods, and my cage, and my degenerative discs, and arthritis in the cold!  We'll find out I guess. Glad your brother is doing better.  He will probably continue to improve.  It sounded just really really bad there for a while.  Take care.  Hope you have a happy birthday tomorrow and try to enjoy it!

Linda

Hi Linda:

I checked my email and it showed something you typed in the forum itself to Cindy.  I figure I will answer here and also this goes to you, Cindy.  It's like a conference call with 3 parties.  Anyway, I can use more points.    Linda, I am glad this has finally happened to you.  It probably wasn't bad and if you are recuperating well, that is a real plus.  I wish I had a real pain doc so I could discuss some of the options with him.  The PA can only do so much.  Mostly it is renewal of my pain meds.  Although he is nice, but the time will come where I have to see who is going to do procedures.  Still thinking about the Nevro but I will bring up the ablation. 

Cindy, now it's your turn.  I am glad your brother is getting better.  I bet it was touch and  go for awhile.  You had your hands full and what came first was your brother.  I am glad that you were with him all the way.  Wondering how long he will be in rehab?    I wish him well.  By the way, Happy Birthday.

Now to both of you.  Guess what!  Yes, I got another computer from a pawn shop where you can get a fairly good one dirt cheap.  Mine was under a $100.  It is a desktop, with win 7 and not a large capacity hard drive.  I think it is about 120 Gigs.  Did come with a flat screen monitor.  Seems to work good but it will suffice in the meantime until I can afford to buy a new laptop.  Now, I am typing so fast, I can't believe how I managed using a tablet.  So thats want I wanted to tell you.  Good night for now.

tiger oops also mel

Mel77,

Yes I was going and going but no energizer bunny, lol he might be in for a month because they have the pic line in his heart for the infection in there and a few other organs, so we will see plus I have to move his room downstairs, that should be fun, my healthy nephew knows I need help and goes on his Xbox instead of helping me, thank you for the birthday wish, if it means anything I won a hundred dollar on the scratch off! Ya!!

Talk soon

Cindy

Yay for you.  Isnt that great to win something?  Where we live, had a trip to one of the casinos in Tacoma, wa and I was winning too but when you play too long, I lost some.  You never know.  These trips are put out by the community we live in.  A great place to live a little too expensive.  It was great living here when we had the money but now we have to reconsider to moving to a cheaper  place..  Your welcome for my birthday wish to you.  By the way how is your brother doing?  Got to go now as it is about 2:00 am, past bed time.  Take care and talk to you later.

mel

Mel,

My brother is coming along, he won't be able to come home til March 8th when the pic line comes out, I have almost a month to get his room downstairs, thank you for asking, you are such a sweet man, but of course it's a taking a beating on me ugh

Gonna have some coffee and finish his laundry that I have to bring back up, plus got to back the car taxes so I'll be beat again today, do these things makes me hurt bad.

Take care ttys

Hope somewhat a pain free day!!

Cynthia (cindy)

Hi Cindy:

Glad your brother is doing better and it won't be too long before he gets home.  As long as he is taken care of in rehab, that is important.  That was nice calling me a sweet man.  Awwww.  Your absolutely right, you try to do things and you have to but repercussions come about where you then suffer more.  It happens to me all the time.  It's just plain crazy.  Just the other day, I walked some and the next day, I could hardly move.  I was so tired that I plopped down on the couch and fell asleep.  The rest of the day I still remained tired.  That is what I don't like feeling washed out.  I just can't get myself going.  Afterwards, I had to take an additional nap.  After waking up an hour later, I still couldn't get going.  I know no matter what, I have to force myself to do things. I made dinner, cleaned up the kitchen, etc. and the rest of the night, just tried to keep my eyes open.  This happens most when I exert myself.  I try not to complain but I do groan at times and even curse.  My wife does too as she is also in a lot of pain.  There just seems no end to it.  I am always asking my pain PA to change my medicine as some just don't work for the kind of pain I have. Be good, be well, have a better day and rest.  You sound sweet as well.  .

mel

Do you have the AdaptiveStim Technology model of Medtronic? It is supposed to help with changing positions.

Hi Cynthia,

Wow, a pic line. That is no joke!

But congrats on the $100.00 scratch off.

We have to take our good points where we can.

Linda

Congrats on the new computer. I might have to do something like that if I can't get my laptop going.  Cecil is usually on the desktop every night and all weekend. So this will probably be it for me until Monday.

Linda

Mel,

I hear you, I have to push myself and get things down, like my brother was saying before he got sick we have to do bottle returns, so I needed the space, but standing and doing all of it it looks its toll plus I had to go and get something for dinner, but on the plus side I thought I only 20 bucks on my scratch ticket that I bought on my bday and won another 50 dollars, nice so in two days 150- out the original money still walked away with 140, so I'm happy! Made my day better after I found out lol but on the other hand my brother is having real bad days he's throwing up and just not feeling good, so he hoped back into bed yesterday, so the NP came and ordered an X-ray of his belly, they didn't find nothing wrong but they did take him off the antibiotics by mouth at night n no sugar check at night time, see how he's doing today, the one thing is he volunteer me to do his laundry instead of them, I was like really?! I'm tired buddy I just can't catch a break, and I'm supposed to go into meeting with the social services department to go over his plan care, its only about 15-20 minutes hope they know I can sit that long need to stand and walk around a bit. So we will see what's his game plan, thank you for you kind words and well wishes, hope everyone has somewhat a pain free day, I know my is gonna be busy again, I just hurt all over, but the way things going I hope I'm not getting sick haven't been feel so great.

Have a great day

Cynthia ( cindy)

Hi Jannyk:

First time talking with you.  There are so many patients here, that it is nearly impossible to reach em all.  Just to sift through all these, takes time and of course the ones I read will have a bearing of what I have.  Sometimes I find it a little hard to come to terms with what would be best for me and so far, I really haven't.  I have the general kind of scs which I feel the buzz.  I have it nearly 2 and a half years and it does act up.  Even when I adjust the remote to a low, it tends to vary depending upon movements and position I'm in.  It used to be more steady than now.   It's that you dont expect it to do a rapid change in intensity so it kind of startles you.  The main problem I have that most of my pain is in my lower back and some in my legs.  It does work on the legs but nothing for lower back.  I had previous lumbar surgery L4/L5.  Another problem I have is my neck and shoulders.  I had a fusion on C3/C4.  The paddles that are inserted can't take care of everything.  Even if I go for the Nevro, it would be just taking care of my lower back and legs.  The concern of the Nevro is that you do not feel anything and wondering if it is working or not.  I guess it would be as for once in my life, I will feel much less pain in my lower back, and that alone is relief.  I forgot what no pain feels like.  It would be nice to experience it again.  As far as my neck and shoulders are concerned, that can be another matter and I do excercises on my neck and my motion is increased.  I try to do a little self massage on my shoulder and it feels somewhat good.  Limitations prevail though in reaching certain areas.  So, I thought I would state that.  Taking care of fibromyalgia is a pain in itself.  The flare ups become more aggravating than not.  The Rheumatologist that I went to for over 2 years, tested me for muscle inflammation and results were quite high.  I was put prednisone for over a year and did bring down the sedimentation rate to a much lower value but not enough the doctor wanted.  I was put on Methotexrate, a potent medicine but made me sick.  It is used in chemotherapy for some cancer patients.  Immediately she took me off it.  Then she wanted to put me on Humira but too expensive for me.  So, I ended up not taking any of it.  Her other choice was IV Remicade but the expense for me was out of the question.  Now I am just on pain meds which work some but not much.  Both my GP and pain PA recommended medical mariuana but haven't decided yet.  I live in WA so there is no problem getting it.  Just need certification.  Thats all I can think of now.  Have a good one and relief of pain.

mel

Hey Cindy:

Sorry to hear that your brother is still having a bad time with this.  I would think that he is on the way to recovery.  I guess that depends on what you have.  I know not only it is hard on him but you as well.  Where does it end?  You need to be well as not run ragged.  Your health is important but to have double duty as caring for your brother makes it that much harder.  Am I supposed to say hang in there?  Everything will be just fine?  Of course, hang in there and do what you are able to.  That seems to me a better way of expressing this.  Thats the reason why we are here, to get the support from others and well wishers.  The positive feedback I get alone is satisfaction.  Knowing that I am able to help in some way makes me feel good.  It also helps me not to focus on my condition,  The pain lessons which makes me feel better.  I am not saying that is the solution but helps.  I even get right down to it when someone says, I cant take it anymore and why just give up and die.  Thats the ultimate.  Never do I want to see this happen so I provide the positive feedback I can and really try to help in some way.  It does work most of the time.Later when I get another letter from that person telling me that I helped her to rethink what she is doing and taking steps to get help, I at least did my job and I am a better person for it.  I don't try to get in a personal situation that involves others, especially family as I feel it is none of my business and trouble can result.  I usually focus on the person and their problem.  There were times, when I wanted to belt out to someone as they are not listening and just complain and complain.  That is far from being positive.  I never say anything negative about the person but I do emphasize that they need help and cant do it alone.  I always try to express my compassion and empathize but never feeling sorry of what they are going through.  I try to make them think of the positive results and stay away from the negative.  But thats it.  It does work and feel grateful for that.  Please, whatever you do, just hang in there and I wish that your brother gets well.  Thanks for reading. 

mel

Hi Cynthia,

I'm sorry you are having to do all of that stuff.  It's so hard to get things done.  I can imagine you are not happy that  your brother volunteered you to do his laundry! Today has been so much better.  Not that horrible back pain.  I think that if I lay on my right side and twist even a little that's what gets it started.  Or doing too much, which is not much.  I called my daughter and talked to her about my laptop, and she said, well, did you try a different USB port?  DUH!!! So I did, and now I have my laptop back.  Congrats on the scratch card win.  We have to take our victories where we can.

Linda

Hi Tiger,

I have my laptop back! I called my daughter and told her about my problems with the mouse, and she said, well did you try a different USB port?  DUH!!! Didn't think of that! So, now my laptop is working again!  Hurray!  Today was much better than Sat, Sun, and Monday was! So glad to get relief from that sharp pain in the middle of my back.  And someone from Sedona wrote to me and gave me the name of a good neurosurgeon in my area!  She also suggested maybe I should be on an antidepressant.  I think maybe she is right.  Take care.

Linda