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Questions about Trial Medtronics neurostimulator

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 12/11/2011 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
I could use a little help. I just had the trial neurostimulator implanted yesterday and I have noticed a few things since getting it.
For one ,I have a lot of vibration into my feet and it feels as if I am really cold down my legs into my toes. The other is that I have a very bad muscle spasm in my right calf. I also feel a strong vibration which seems to make me feel as if I have to go to the bathroom a lot. Has anyone experienced this? Is there anything I should do or does this mean that getting the permanent one might not work?

Thanks so much--I am brand new to this board and looked around and didn't see these questions.
Posted 12/11/2011 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ihurt, and welcome to Healing Well.

What are you trialing your stim for? Is it back or leg pain? Are you in hospital with your trial, or at home?

Have you got a contact number for the technician/rep? I think the first step would be to get in touch with him/her. It's quite possible that it's just a problem of playing around with your programming to try to find something that is more comfortable for you. Sometimes certain stimulation patterns can be uncomfortable, or even downright painful - I know I've had sessions with my tech where he's almost had to peel me from the ceiling after something new he's done has caused intense pain through my my lower back or legs, or even around the battery site itself. I too know the feeling of being hit by stimulation that makes you feel like you need to go to the loo.

If your tech can't fix it with programming, then talk to your doctor - it might be possible to shift the lead/s slightly to enable different programming. Even if the sensation isn't good, are you getting stim sensation in your painful areas?

Don't give up yet :)

Laura
Posted 12/11/2011 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Laura for getting back to me. I have problems in the SI joint, L4 and L5--pain in the lower back, radiating to right hip and down the right leg. Sometimes I hurt on the left too, but primarily on the right. I am at home, it was an out patient procedure and so far most of my pain relief is on the left side--grrr! Maybe I should call them on Monday to see if they can adjust something. I wasn't sure if the 7 day trial gives the same results as the implanted permanent unit and was figuring that if this is the best I can hope for, maybe it won't be worth it.
Posted 12/11/2011 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Ihurtalot,

I don't have any experience with the scs, but many of the members here do and they should be along to give you some advice. Laura has given you some good tips already.

I did want to welcome you here though. I am really glad you found us but certainly wish you weren't in so much pain. You will enjoy the caring members here. I hope you will stay with us and keep posting.

I am hoping your doctor or the technician will be able to help you sort out the problems tomorrow. Let us know how that goes.

Take care,

suzane

Posted 12/11/2011 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Suzane, I really appreciate your kindness. I am definitely going to call the doctor's office tomorrow to see if the medtronics tech can adjust this thing so i can get a decent trial and make the decision as to what I should do. If I do move around, I can get the unit to work on the right side, but then I am cranking it up so high that my feet feel so wobbly. very strange and a lot different than i expected. I feel like i swallowed one of those vibrating beds-except that I don't need to plug it with quarters to work!
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