All clear for SCS

Hi all-

Well I finally got the all clear from the hematologist and pulmonary docs to go ahead with the SCS implant . Now I am just waiting for the neurosurgeon's case manager to call me with the date. She said they had moved a couple big cases to next month and it should be this month.
She had my name on a post it and was putting my name at the top of every month in case I got cleared for surgery. After a 4 month wait I just hope it works as well as the trial did.

Take care,
Bill

good luck, bill

Thanks for updating us...I really pray that this will work out for you to give you some much needed pain relief!

Thanks all. If I can get it this month it will be just in time as I have had to to a lot of work on our cars lately. that along with the cold weather has really got my ribs in an up roar. I saw my VA PM last week and she could tell from my blood pressure and how I looked my meds weren't working anymore. So she upped me to 4 times a day vs. 3 and I am trying topamax again. If I don;t get the surgery this month she is going to add gabapentin back in next month too.
I have been really surprised at how well she stays on top of my pain meds after hearing so many horror stories about VA hospitals in the past. So far I have had top notch care there. I was the one who asked to go down to 3 times a day from 4 a few months ago when I was expecting to get the implant surgery. She was reluctant, but agreed to write it that way. guess I should have listened to her, LOL!

Take care,
Bill

Congratulations on getting the go ahead. I'm new to SCS. I just got mine in on the 18th of December. I can say for me that it has been a wild ride (mostly due to swelling immediately after surgery), but I'm very happy I have made this decision. Today we did a reset and gave me a few more settings. It's nice to be able to turn up the battery just a little bit and get pain relief immediately. It's certainly better than waiting on a pill to kick in.

I know they aren't for everyone, but the SCS is a blessing to me. I hope you will have great success with yours.

Bill

So pleased you got the approval. I really hope this will make a huge difference for you. I will be keeping an eye on how it goes as its something I may consider. Problem is in the UK it is still not widely used, private insurance won't cover it and the waiting list on NHS is endless.

Even pain pumps here are hardly used. My pain doctor is a professor and I trust him implicitly, but when I asked about a pump, I wad told he only uses them in palliative care cases! Just takes time for us to catch up with the US!!

Jane

Jane-

Thank you. I can't believe how hard it is for those of you with a national healthcare system to get treatment. It has to be so frustrating. And this is what our President wants to put in place for us too. On the GERD forum I always wondered why so many from the UK asked how much it cost in the US to have the reflux surgery done until I found out how hard it is to have it done there.

Skeye-
Thank you. My PM and rep thinks the permanent one will cover much better because of the larger leads. Even if it just takes care of the left side ribs that are floating around I will be a happy camper! When those things move just a tiny bit it feels like I got kicked by a mule.

Take care,
Bill

Hi and congrats on your scs! That's great news! sure wish it was me though. You are one lucky person.

I get to sit on the sidelines for anther ten years until workers comp decides its actually worth looking into.

GOD Bless Wyoming Workers Comp!!!!

Wow, Congrats and hope they can schedule you soon! Many well wishes on this and Prayers as well...
Keep us posted, okay! I hope your a success on this...and if you are, please posts...

Chartreux
Thanks, I will definitely keep everyone updated. This is something we don't have a whole lot of information on.

RM-
It's been so long since my trial I for get what brand mine is. I think it's the Medtronics. I'll have to look at my booklet to make sure. I know the rep said it had paddle leads with a lot of leads they could program and said it should be no problem to cover both areas. The wire lead covered over 6 ribs on my left side, so I believe the paddle one should cover that and then some.

I did find out yesterday my surgery will be some time in February. The big cases that were going to be moved to February stayed scheduled in January.

Take care,
Bill

Hi all-

Well I finally got the call from VA. I am scheduled for the surgery on 2/5/13.

I go do the pre op stuff on 2/4 and am the 2nd case on Tuesday. My wife is gonna have her hands full. My daughter is in surgery right now getting her shoulder fixed, labrum tear(softball player). She will miss her senior year of H/S ball, but will be ready for college ball this Fall and still has her full ride.


Take care.
Bill

Bill, I am happy to hear that you have a date. It will be over in no time at all. I hope and pray that things will go smoothly for you.

Even with my recent issues I wouldnt do anything differently. Keep us posted on your procedure.

Hugs,
Shell

Hi Bill

ONS is an occipital nerve stimulator. The wires on placed on the occipital nerves at the back of the head. I have severe 24/7 headaches now going on 13 yrs.

Hope all goes well for you this coming week. Post back when you are able to.

suzane