SCS (Spinal Cord stimulator) Post #2

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Rene T

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Instead of adding to my very long 1st post about the SCS for my spouse, I started a new post.
Last Wednesday the 13th, she went in the hospital to have the Abbott SCS implanted in her back. The surgeon had difficulty placing the paddle leads exactly where he wanted them them but it was close enough. This is the 1st time in 20 years he’s had this issue.
She was in recovery and had a lot of stomach pain. They said it was just gas and it will get better.
Well 24 hours later the pain was getting worse. We called the surgeons office and they recommended she go to the ER so we did. This was on Thursday afternoon. It took about 2 hours before she saw a doc. He prescribed morphine for now until they could figure out why she had so much pain.
They did all kinds of testing and the last test was a Hida test. This test showed that the problem was her gal bladder. It had to be removed. So Saturday morning, out it came. She felt so much better. The original pain from the gal bladder was pretty much gone. The only pain she now had was from the 4 tiny incisions.
She was discharged yesterday morning and went to see the back surgeon for a follow up. They took XRays and the leads had moved since the surgery to where he originally wanted them to go. They don’t understand it. Someone was looking out for her I guess.

The representative from Abbott was also there to turn on the implant and calibrate it to the remote she has. Everything is working great. As of this morning she has no more back or leg pain. That is a huge success. Only 1 out of 50 people get results this good. Most people get about 88% reduction. And if they only get 50% reduction, they consider that a success. The electrical impulses are a very low dose right now and the implanted battery may last up to 10 years before she would need it replaced. Typically with most people, it will last 5 to 7 years. No need to charge it with this system. She is so happy she had it done. If anyone has any questions you can ask them here or PM me if you want to keep it private.
We are snowbirds from NH and are still in Fl because of her issues. Before the implant surgery, it would have been impossible for her to ride in a car for that long of a ride and even taking a plane home would have been very painful. We are now planning to drive home this Friday. Normally it takes 2 full days but we may take it easy and do it in 3 days. We want to spend a little time with family. We’ll return the beginning of November sometime.
 
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Jayflight

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I have followed the recent events and glad to see there is such positive results now. Good luck with your trip north.
 

L-M-L

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Kansas
Glad she got the great results. My wife's wasn't 100 percent but it did help her a lot.
 

ferfer

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I strongly suggest you both get off the roller-coaster NOW! Lucille without pain seems like a good place to hang out for awhile.

Greatest news and best to both of you,
Jennifer
 

Hfx_Cdn

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Nova Scotia
Rene and Lucille that is great news. Take care on your drive north, and tell Lucille not to hug the grandkids so hard that she damages something. But you can give her a light hug from Donna and me. Hope to get to see you this winter, it has been a while

Ed & Donna
 

Rene T

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Farmington NH
Rene and Lucille that is great news. Take care on your drive north, and tell Lucille not to hug the grandkids so hard that she damages something. But you can give her a light hug from Donna and me. Hope to get to see you this winter, it has been a while

Ed & Donna
Thank you Ed. She also said thank you and hope to get together this winter.
 

jackiemac

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Oh I'm so happy the procedure was such a great success. After all the difficulties she has had, including her gallbladder, it's time for good news and good health.

Best wishes to you both.
 

Kirk

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Former fulltimer, Mesquite, TX
I went and looked at Abbott SCS which is very interesting. A neighbor recently had some type of back implant that has so far been very successful. My wife has constant back pain related to arthritis and so is planning to look into it.
 

Rene T

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Farmington NH
Tell Lucille that Donna says WOW WOW WOW. It is really great news

Ed
I will.
She got out of bed this morning feeling no pain and is walking around with no pain. So, anyone with chronic back pain and pain in the legs, there is possible help out there. Just contact a neurologist that specializes in pain management
 

UTTransplant

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Cedar Falls, IA
I will.
She got out of bed this morning feeling no pain and is walking around with no pain. So, anyone with chronic back pain and pain in the legs, there is possible help out there. Just contact a neurologist that specializes in pain management
I have a totally different type of chronic back pain, but I am seeing my PCP tomorrow. A referral to a pain clinic is one thing on the list. The one I want to see aren‘t neurologists but an anesthesiologist. Hoping for some help through steroid or pain meds injected into my back. Some days I have trouble walking 50’. You have given me some hope Rene!
 

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