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Anyone's Neuro-stem rechargeable battery ever get so low that it stopped working?

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Posted 9/9/2012 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
After a this weekend I am at a loss for words. My stem battery died in the middle of church, had to leave and hobble out of the lobby. I was feeling like i'd been hit with a louieville slugger.

1.)I wanted to know if anyone who has a stem has let it die
2.)what you felt like when it happened?
3.) how do you remember to charge
4.) any tips for reminders any advice on what helps you?

This is NOT the first time i have had this happen, but it was so bad that i had to ride in a wheel chair at grocery store to get the shopping done. I was embarrassed that i was so irresponsible. I need a better system i havnt developed a habit of charging and it is still painful b/c if where the battery is.

If anyone has any advice for me to make life with a neuro-stem better and more productive.


Thank you
Posted 9/10/2012 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
I was at my bathroom sink the first time my unit shut off due to low battery. It was a shock to me, I lost my balance and went to the floor. Feeling of nausea, shakeness, sort of motion sickness feeling and complete muscle exhaustion. What was worse then was that I put my charger on and left for a drs appointment. I was sitting in the office and my unit automatically turned on at a very high level, which the rep says is not possible. Since I was charging I didnt have my remote right on me. The stim was off for nearly 3 hours so I couldnt tolorate the high level and could not move. I had to send my daughter out to the car to get the remote and proceed to pull the charger off in the middle of the office so I could adjust the level. Lesson learned!

I have gotten in the habit of charging every third night when I change my patch. Since I have been using my stim at higher levels my battery has been depleting quicker, I think I will be switching to every other night for now. I never want to letit get toone bar again! Typically I will put the charger on, held in place by my undies and lay on my other side and watch TV. I set the alarm on my phone for 2 hours so I dont forget to remove it.

Can you set an alarm on your phone to go off every few days to remind you to charge? My rep said I should be able to only charge once a week, but I havent found that to be enough.

I have had my stim for 9 weeks and am getting better coverage at each reprogramming. So far I am so glad I did it!

Bunnygirl86, how is your stim doing for pain control??
Posted 9/10/2012 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bunnygirl,

Yes, I have let my battery be completely depleted before, but I try not to let it run down all the way. My Medtronics rep said that there is no harm in depleting it 100% before charging, but I prefer not to -- mostly so that I don't get myself into a situation such as the one you described.

For me, charging has just become a part of my normal routine. I've had my stimulator for two years now, so I have a pretty good idea of how often I need to charge. I usually charge my battery every 3 days or so. I like to charge when the battery is between 50 and 75% depleted. I also charge at night, and often sleep with the charger on. The charger turns off automatically after the battery is fully charged, so you don't have to worry about overcharging like you might with a phone or laptop.

I don't know what kind of unit you have, but regardless, when you change the settings on your stim, your remote should show you how much battery life you have left, and if you just keep an eye on that, and charge as needed, you should be able to avoid 100% depletion.

How long have you had your system? I was sore around my battery site for several weeks after I got the implant, but now there is no pain associated with it. You might also talk to your rep. There are multiple ways to charge your stim, in terms of how you connect the charger to the battery. My battery is in my chest, so I use the sticky pads to keep the charger in place over the battery, but they also make belts, and other gadgets to secure the charger in place.

I think it is just a matter of making your stimulator a part of your life. You'll get used to it, like anything else. And perhaps this recent experience will help motivate you to keep an eye on your battery so you don't end up in the same situation again!

Hope this helps!

Skeye
Posted 9/10/2012 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
as far as pain control::: i have had it 16months and i have had two falls this year. i have had complications b/c of the 2 falls. I am thankful b.c without it i feel shakey weak , But now i have had to slow down alot but it is more manageable. I am still having alot of breakthrough pain. I dont know what i need to do...lots of pain with it. when i turn it off i feel how lucky i am

Post Edited (BunnyGirl86) : 9/9/2012 9:13:06 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/10/2012 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
SKEYE

hows your pain control?

I am still skeptical
Posted 9/10/2012 10:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bunny,

This has happened to me a few times over the years that I've had my stim and it's not a whole lot of fun. The best advice I have to offer is to make a routine of it... do you have a particular time of evening when you sit or lie down to read/watch TV?

You said you're still sceptical - what was your trial like?

Laura
Posted 9/10/2012 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hello CPRSpatient,

Well my stem trial went great. i had about 9 months going well then i fell down the stairs forward and fell on my knees and bottom. it seemed alot changed then....i dont know where to turn
Posted 9/11/2012 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so sorry to hear about your fall. It sounds quite possible that you've either shifted or damaged your leads - that would certainly explain why you're not getting good pain relief after many months of going well.

Have you spoken to your rep about it - or your doctor? Your rep can run a 'diagnostic' to look for any lead damage or current leakage - and your doctor should be able to organise an x-ray to check that the position of the leads hasn't changed.

Hope that gives you something to go on.

Take care. Laura
Posted 9/11/2012 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
Bunnygirl,

It helps, but it is limited. I never had much luck with medications (it turns out that I have a liver condition that makes me unable to properly metabolize most pain meds, antidepressants, and other meds), so the stimulator has helped me more than anything, but the relief that I get is variable. The amount of relief I get really depends on a variety of factors. It is a bit hard to describe, because my stimulator is not for my back, but rather eye/facial pain.

I've had my stim for 2 years now. Recently I feel like it is helping less than before, but we may have figured out a reason why. Regardless of my current situation, if I had to do it over again, I'd still definitely get the implant again. Stimulators are hard things to judge based on the results you hear from other people, so they are so personal. Two people with the exact same condition may have different experiences with a stim. I guess that is why they do a trial first -- you won't know whether or not it will help you until you try it.

I'm sorry to hear that yours isn't working out. I'd agree with what Laura said, and speak to your rep. I've always found my reps to be extremely knowledgeable & helpful. Hopefully there is something that they can do help you get better coverage with your stim.

Skeye
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