excessive pain after surgery - Page 2

jannaw · 08-16-2012, 03:28 PM

I had my scs implanted yesterday, the pain is the worst I've ever had, called the doctor last night and he recommended ibuprofen and pressure on the implant wound. This morning because my bandage was blood soaked and I had excruciating pain in my sciatic area down to my foot he had me come in. I am actually doing better, there is an "side effect" going on. He upped my gabapentin dosage so I am sitting here with weird brain fog, it is strange to me to have pain in so many areas, if I push on my stomach it really hurts, he says by day 5 I should feel much better.
My scs was programmed at the beginning of my procedure and then I was given propaphal (sp?) and it was weird but I felt no pain. I was very nervous because the trial was pretty painful for about 3 days. I have my scs working so at least my neuropathy pain is gone(yes), I have a St Jude implant and the rep has been fantastic, he will communicate with my daily for a couple of weeks. The pain is more intense than I expected. Good luck to your hubby on his recovery.

Spiney95 · 08-16-2012, 10:25 PM

Best wishes. This is no picnic but starts to feel better shortly. We are all pulling for you.

Rrae · 08-18-2012, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jannaw

I had my scs implanted yesterday, the pain is the worst I've ever had, called the doctor last night and he recommended ibuprofen and pressure on the implant wound. This morning because my bandage was blood soaked and I had excruciating pain in my sciatic area down to my foot he had me come in. I am actually doing better, there is an "side effect" going on. He upped my gabapentin dosage so I am sitting here with weird brain fog, it is strange to me to have pain in so many areas, if I push on my stomach it really hurts, he says by day 5 I should feel much better.
My scs was programmed at the beginning of my procedure and then I was given propaphal (sp?) and it was weird but I felt no pain. I was very nervous because the trial was pretty painful for about 3 days. I have my scs working so at least my neuropathy pain is gone(yes), I have a St Jude implant and the rep has been fantastic, he will communicate with my daily for a couple of weeks. The pain is more intense than I expected. Good luck to your hubby on his recovery.

I'm so sorry this is so painful!

Are you feeling a bit better by now? I remember how the initial surgical pain had me mostly in bed for the first couple of days. I used alot of ice.
This WILL pass soon tho. Keep focused on the fact that the unit is able to take away that aweful neuropathy pain. You might need a couple of tweak sessions to get everything precise and then it should all come together for you. I hope your nausea has lifted.
Hang in there.....

Caring,
Rae

Jackiey · 08-19-2012, 12:01 PM

I had my implant done in August 2010. I was in hospital for 2 nights but I dont remember the pain being as bad as you describe. Ive had spinal fusions and other back surgeries and I will say they were HORRENDOUS, but when I had both my trial and permanent implant the pain I had after both procedures definitely werent as bad as the surgeries I had previously.

I remember the area around the battery, which is in my left butt , was extremely painful but that did subside after about a week. I didnt like the sensation of the actual battery protruding through my skin but thats something that Ive gotten used to over the past couple of years.

I do hope that your pain will subside and that things will settle down for you very very soon

Jackie

JavaJan · 08-19-2012, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jannaw

I had my scs implanted yesterday, the pain is the worst I've ever had, called the doctor last night and he recommended ibuprofen and pressure on the implant wound. This morning because my bandage was blood soaked and I had excruciating pain in my sciatic area down to my foot he had me come in. I am actually doing better, there is an "side effect" going on. He upped my gabapentin dosage so I am sitting here with weird brain fog, it is strange to me to have pain in so many areas, if I push on my stomach it really hurts, he says by day 5 I should feel much better.
My scs was programmed at the beginning of my procedure and then I was given propaphal (sp?) and it was weird but I felt no pain. I was very nervous because the trial was pretty painful for about 3 days. I have my scs working so at least my neuropathy pain is gone(yes), I have a St Jude implant and the rep has been fantastic, he will communicate with my daily for a couple of weeks. The pain is more intense than I expected. Good luck to your hubby on his recovery.

Jannaw,

I sure hope you're feeling a bit better by now. From what others have said, the pain should gradually ease up as you begin to heal from the surgery. I'll be hoping and praying that you will very soon feel relief, and then the SCS can kick into gear to give you some good relief from the neuropathy without the surgical pain! Take care and keep us posted on your recovery.

Gentle hugs,
Jan

jannaw · 08-20-2012, 09:42 PM

Geez, I must have been on drugs, I didn't remember posting.....which was my big motivator for the implant-LESS DRUGS! I am doing better now, still painful but it is a good thing as it keeps me less active. I take the ibuprofen and it helps the simulator work, but the relief is all over the place, I am assuming this is normal due to swelling. I have no regrets, the trial provided almost 100% relief from my idiopathic neuropathy and my back problems are non-surgical. Will be meeting with my rep to give me more programming options, I have an impatience with the healing process, after 8 years of constant pain who can blame me?
Thank you all for your kind words, and I am sorry I forgot my post, thank you gabapentin.....soon you will be in my past!!!!

jannaw · 12-04-2012, 10:35 PM

Here it is December already! My SCS and I are getting along famously, I have healed all the way and don't miss gabapentin one little bit. After nine years on it I was ready to toss it by the wayside!
I also lost 25lbs after surgury and no gabapentin, wasn't expected but I feel so much better without that. Makes my battery more on the surface than when I had that padding but its in my right cheek below the waist band and I haven't had any problem so far...
Here I am sitting without buzzing feet that I want to pound on and I am glad I made this decision. It's not foolproof though, the other night it just wasn't working and I was back to hanging the feet off the bed, tossing and turning like crazy...up most of the night.....still I am happy to have this done and behind me....

eva5667faliure · 12-05-2012, 07:50 AM

so great to hear successful stories
december is here
and may you enjoy your holidays
as pain free as possible

someone who cares

AMEN!

Mark56 · 12-05-2012, 10:26 PM

How in the world did I miss posting when you were going through such difficulty?????? Like I was out of synch or something???? I am sorry.

It is so refreshing to read your healing has produced a new lease on life. Now, if I could just find that "weight fall off because I stopped the meds" button and get back in my old clothing, it would be a good thing.

What a wonderful blessing for you. Thrilled am I!
Mark56

Rrae · 12-06-2012, 03:50 PM

Thanks for this update! And what a great update at that!

Oh man, that Gabapentin and Lyrica (cousins) certainly do put on the RAPID weight gain!

I fell victim to this. Thank God I've got my normal weight back (well, almost

)
I'll NEVER go back to those meds, it was a nightmare....

It's a good feeling to have the pounds melt off, innit? I'm glad you're feeling good and that things are going well.

We love these updates, so please don't fall outta cyberspace!

Rae