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I'm getting a neuro stimulator this month excited but terrified at the same time

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Posted 8/4/2011 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I found it interesting to see this general topic on the forum earlier today as I have finally gotten a surgery date. I am having it done where I live in Canada and I am pretty scared that it won't work but I have an exceptional neuro-surgeon. He only chooses candidates for the stimulator for whom he feels it will work. I don't know what make of unit I am getting (he will choose I guess) as I don't have to buy it - if accepted as a candidate then it is covered by our provincial medical.

I am also concerned about the recovery time because I am a teacher and it is happening a week before I go back to school. I teach at a private school so very few sick days and even fewer substitutes. I know I shouldn't worry about that but I don't want my kids to have a poor start to their year.

I do know that my pain levels are so high and this summer has pretty much been a write off so I am holding out hope for this.

Posted 8/5/2011 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
My PM doctor told me I would be out of work for a week for a SCS paddle placement, which just based on other procedures and my trial I think was a joke. The surgeon doing the procedure told me I would be out at least 2 months. Which I feel is pretty realistic based on my job. I am a therapist working in schools.

It really all depends on your pain tolorance, your healing, not to mention your daily schedule, what type of students you have and your schools willingness to let you work with restrictions. My school will not let me work with any restrictions.

Are you having a trial first? Not sure how things work with your system. I had my trial unit placed on a Thursday and took off of work Friday and back to work on Monday, but definetely no bending, twisting or lifting. The same thing once your permanent unit is placed for several months. it is important to follow those restrictions so that your leads heal in place verses migrate.

I just got the call tonight that I am moving schools this year, so I will be starting 2 weeks earlier than I was scheduled to. I am scheduled for a procedure on the 15th of this month, now I am getting worried too. That only gives me 2 weeks till I need to see kids. It always seems that summer vacation is never long enough to fit in everything for teachers,lol.

I wish you luck, I am sure you will do great!

Big hugs,
Shell

Post Edited (Shell74) : 8/4/2011 7:22:32 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/6/2011 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
I will leave the pros and cons of these units alone for now.  I did want to tell you after my surgery, it was the quickest recovery time ever.  Because they and installed just under the skin, no muscle involved, the recovery time as least for me, was at the most 10 days.

Its funny, when I woke up from the surgery, of course they give them right straight your IV, so they work quickly.  When my daughter was driving me home, I said to her, they must have given me alot because I really feel ok, considering.  For the next few days I kept waiting for the pain to come, the awful pain of after surgery.  Well I can say thankfully it never did.

I asked by doctor why it didnt hurt to much and how it took no time at all to recover, he explained because they are installed just under the skin so its not like surgery you get where it goes so deep.  And I am beginning to repeat myself, I am going back to bed. 

But good luck to you, and I hope you dont have a long recovery time or much post op pain.  Take care and hope you are feeling well.

Posted 8/6/2011 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
I am not getting a temporary stimulator - I will be awake for the first part and then once my doctor is pleased with it they will put me to sleep and implant it under my abdomen. I believe I was also told that it would be placed quite high so what you are saying requiem is making sense to me although I don't recall being told that bone would have to be removed.

I am hoping Shell that my school will accomodate because I am overly anxious (bordering on ridiculous) about missing school. We are getting a new principal and so she won't get to see my normal strong work-ethic (or maybe workaholic...lol) self but I keep trying to tell myself that this is more important long term. Thank you for your words to be careful and follow recovery restrictions. It is hard to go back to school earlier than planned - I feel for you.

I guess I am mostly scared that it won't work and if it doesn't work then I don't know what next....but that is catastrophizing...agh...

Thank you all for your suggestions and feedback. My pain is so high today I feel 40 years older than I am - I wish we didn't have to go through this...but for whatever reason, we do.
Posted 8/8/2011 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Requiem...thank you for your comments. From your many posts it is obvious that you are very knowledgeable.

I am very nervous about the procedure but not my surgeon. In the part of Canada where I live, second opinions are difficult to come by. Thankfully, I am blessed to have a neuro-surgeon who not only practices functional neurosurgery, but also doespractice and research in robotic neurosurgery, brain repair, stem cells is pioneering the use of remote-presence robots for medical care. So, all that being said, I am at peace with my doctor. Doctors aren't perfect but I do feel secure knowing that he is an expert in his field and I am comfortable following his recommendations.

My concern is more with the amount of time that will take to recover, get back to work and of course how long I need to be especially careful while the implant is securing itself in my body. Nini, I hope that my recovery will be as quick as yours.
Posted 9/3/2011 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kitty, I was wondering how your surgery went? Perhaps you have just recently had it as you mention going in

just before school starts. May I ask where you live in Canada? I am in Ontario and would like to find someone

that would do the ONS for headaches or at least find out if this might help me. I am so glad you have an exc. neurosurgeon

and that you are comfortable with him doing the surgery. Try to stay as positive as you can so that you

have a favourable outcome. Let us know how you made out when you can. What grade do you teach?

Hope all is well and you are recovering as best as possible.

Suzane
Posted 9/3/2011 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kitty,

I too hope that your surgery went well. I wish that I had read your topic earlier and had a chance to respond - I cerainly can't imagine going ahead with a stimulator implant having had no trial beforehand...I wasnt even aware that doctors would do this.

Do check in when you can and let us know how you are going.

Laura
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