New member

Hello Msmac3!….and Welcome to the Chronic Pain Forum!

I do not have a stimulator, but we have had several members who have! I'm unaware of any external parts hanging out, and think someone is feeding you misinformation. However!…if you are about to undergo the trial for it, then that is a different story, and yes you will have a few external wires there to deal with. This should be done in a hospital setting though and only last for a few days.

As for the leads shifting, I suppose that is a concern, however, they should scar in….in a few weeks, and you should not have any problems, as long as you follow the Dr's orders on maximum activity allowed.

I would make sure you read everything you can on these, and ask your surgeon as many questions as you can. It's my understanding that in most cases, if the unit goes bad and does not help, they will simply turn off the unit and leave the leads in.

I have been offered a chance to do this same thing, and have said no at least twice about it. We see more patients having problems with them than not. But then again, we do see a few patients who love the results.

Also, it's my understanding that the leads used for the trial, are different than the paddles type leads used for the permanent implant. Ask these questions of the Dr/surgeon who will be doing the surgery.

I'm sure someone will be along who has one of these, and they can give you the straight and skinny on it!

Enjoy the forum!…and again Welcome!

SE

hi there msmac, and welcome aboard. good luck to with your procedure. hope that it brings you relief...

Hi msmac,

I've had my stimulator for nearly eight years. I have had problems with leads shifting - and have ended revision surgery for this - but I wouldn't change my decision to have it.

Regarding 'parts hanging out' - I think you've been given some part truths. Before a permanent implant is considered, you undergo a trial procedure to see if it will help your pain with no side effects (for some the stimulation sensation CAN be painful...). During the trial, you do have temporary leads placed that are connected to an external battery/programmer unit. It's this that can't get wet - usually a trial is carried out over a week or so and you cannot have a bath or shower in that time.

If you go ahead with the permanent implant, everything is 'inside'. You also generally have some say on where the battery - the bulky part - is implanted. A lot of people have it placed at the top of the buttock and to one side...I'm not sure this would affect you greatly as a side sleeper once you've healed. I opted to have mine placed on my abdomen because I need a wheelchair for any distance and also spend a lot of time sitting/reclining. I'm thin enough that mine sticks out, but it doesn't cause any discomfort. I do have some pain in my back around my scars - but I have other issues going on there as well.

SE - yep, the trial leads are hugely different from the permanent ones. There are also differences in the type of permanent lead that can be used - not always paddles, although I believe they are much more stable than the other type.

Laura