Cervical SCS for Wrist Pain - Page 9

JavaJan · 08-23-2012, 01:46 PM

Wow, I can't imagine that 3-hour trip home! Bet it seemed endless for you. Hope your trial is going well and you're starting to feel some relief from the surgery pain as well as some buzzy relief from the SCS!

I receive SSD now. After my fusion surgery I tried for almost 3 years to return to work but just couldn't do it. I taught special ed, had the more severely disabled kids and loved my job, but I was too limited by the chronic pain and nerve damage & just couldn't be the teacher that my little kiddos deserved. It actually wasn't very difficult in my case for me to get approved for SSD. I think it went through so quickly and easily because I had tons of documentation over a period of years. I did all the paperwork at home on my computer, which was nice, because if the pain got to be too much as I sat there filling out the bajillion forms, I could just go lie down for awhile and go back to it later. I think it also just depends on who you end up with at the SSD office--thank God, I got a lady who was compassionate and very glad to see that my paperwork was already done! Hope it goes this well for you, if you have to go on disability. Keep us posted!

Take care,
Jan

lsutiger · 08-30-2012, 01:29 PM

They have scheduled my surgery for my permanent implant September 18th. I can't wait! I'm just nervous about the recovery. Since the leads are in the cervical area....how on earth do you not bend? Getting into bed, sitting down, etc.

Mark56 · 08-31-2012, 01:51 AM

Glad your trial went well and that you are going to be favored with the permanent implant!! Cool!

Yup, I have enjoyed visiting New Orleans, especially when for conferences I was in the Quarter and could take in a stroll, the antique shops which are to die for, and the FOOD!!

BLAST.... well, I came up with that when after my permanent implant the recovery nurse was trying to help me remember the old BLT rule and logrolling and, oh, by the way, NEVER STRETCH until long after healing. So I asked her "well, why don't you incorporate no stretching into the BLT rule and call it BLAST, no bending, lifting, stretching, twisting?" She and my wife agreed I had had a little too much anesthetic and went about their business. For me, the rule stuck, and has become the most important thing I share other than prayer for others.

Once you come near unto your implant surgery we will have to revisit BLAST and Logroll [a good way for back patients to arise and then return to bed] just by way of refresher. If you followed Rae's sage advice you already have a reacher grabber or two.... they do help.

Now social security..... it is not always easy. I came. I filed. I lost, and my medical file fills two banker boxes since my wreck seven and a half years ago. For me, attaining social security disability was a hard fought battle with my trusty lawyer [no, I do not operate on myself] and the judge was more than ready to listen to our case when the government witness, a doc from Ohio somewhere said he had no experience at all with any patient who had ever had SCS..... we finally got it, and having the cash to replenish the coffer was a God Sent Blessing because we were scraping bottom. At last after all dust settled and the improvement in my body with my SCS and full withdrawal from pain meds, I was able to resume [ta, ta, ta TA] work, my career, my profession, and next month I will roll up onto the completion of my 9th month and the necessity to let the compassionate folks at SSA know I have graduated and can go off of disability.

Does this mean I will no longer be disabled in the broad sense? No, just that I am able to hold a job despite the issues. I feel blessed, and I hope for you the social security case will go well. Fear not about hiring a lawyer if necessary to push your case through. It is help available in your state, and worth the battle for your peace of mind and pocketbook.

Prayin for ya,
Mark56

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Rrae · 09-02-2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsutiger

They have scheduled my surgery for my permanent implant September 18th. I can't wait! I'm just nervous about the recovery. Since the leads are in the cervical area....how on earth do you not bend? Getting into bed, sitting down, etc.

Yay! Let the countdown begin! I've got my little calendar thingy marked for your big day. We'll all be here for you every step of the way!

Rae

lsutiger · 09-11-2012, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rrae

Yay! Let the countdown begin! I've got my little calendar thingy marked for your big day. We'll all be here for you every step of the way!

Rae

Thank you all soooo much! It means so much when you have a support group that not only understands what you are going thru, but also can give you info on actual personal experiences. It's also helpful to know what to expect. I'm counting down. A week from today I will be under the knife!

Yellow.....how are you feeling?

lsutiger · 09-17-2012, 02:55 PM

Well tomorrow is the day I have been waiting for (hopefully). I'm not the first case and the nurse told me that my Dr's first case is a complicated one so I probably won't be in surgery until 2:30-3:00 tomorrow afternoon. UGH! I just pray that his first case goes well and that he can actually do my surgery tomorrow and not bump me back to Wednesday. I am trusting God to see me thru but the human side of me is still anxious and nervous. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to get in and out of bed. My leads will be in my upper back around the T2-T3 area. Mark any suggestions?

To complicate matters, I had my yearly appointment with my GYN this morning and I have been having some cramping in my ovaries. Had a hysterectomy 11 years ago. He sent me over to have a pelvic ultrasound and come to find out I have several large ovarian cysts and one hemmorhagic cystic mass in my right ovary. I am waiting on him to call me this afternoon and I am fearing that I'll be undergoing another surgery after I heal from this one.

JavaJan · 09-19-2012, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsutiger

Well tomorrow is the day I have been waiting for (hopefully). I'm not the first case and the nurse told me that my Dr's first case is a complicated one so I probably won't be in surgery until 2:30-3:00 tomorrow afternoon. UGH! I just pray that his first case goes well and that he can actually do my surgery tomorrow and not bump me back to Wednesday. I am trusting God to see me thru but the human side of me is still anxious and nervous. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to get in and out of bed. My leads will be in my upper back around the T2-T3 area. Mark any suggestions?

To complicate matters, I had my yearly appointment with my GYN this morning and I have been having some cramping in my ovaries. Had a hysterectomy 11 years ago. He sent me over to have a pelvic ultrasound and come to find out I have several large ovarian cysts and one hemmorhagic cystic mass in my right ovary. I am waiting on him to call me this afternoon and I am fearing that I'll be undergoing another surgery after I heal from this one.

Keeping you in my prayers, Tiger!! Hopefully you are recovering from surgery by now. I'm sure at the hospital they'll show you ways to get out of bed and stuff like that. Sorry about the other medical complications....no fun at all!! Let us know how you're doing when you're able to.

Sending prayers and hugs,
Jan

lsutiger · 09-20-2012, 11:08 PM

Well all I can say two days post op is OUCH! It started out bad. They had a hard time putting in my iv. My Dr had other cases before mine so things were backed up. I had an aweful headache and was really nauseated since I was npo after midnight. They finally got me to the holding room at 4:00 and discovered that my iv wasn't working so they had to poke me again on the other hand. The surgery went well. We came home yesterday afternoon. I took the meds my Dr gave me and within 20-30 minutes after taking it I started puling my guts up. Not a good thing when you've got 2 incisions. That went on for a couple of hours.

Today was a better day. I'm in some serious pain though. Hopefully I can sleep tonite tot a change.

The other female condition......my Dr called me today and my ovaries have to come out. So it looks like I'll be under the knife again in about 6 weeks. Ugh. What next? Thanks to all of you for your encouraging words, prayers and well wishes. I'll update more in a few days.

lsutiger · 09-22-2012, 06:34 PM

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to update. I'm now on day 4 post-op. Up until today I was doing pretty good. Unfortunately I'm afraid I may have pulled my right lead while reaching over for my drink from my bedside table. I'm hoping it's just all in my mind but it seems like I felt a pop. Similar to when your joints pop. Since then I am having terrible muscle spasms in the exact spot of the lead. How would I know if the lead has moved?

Hugs and prayers to all!

Mark56 · 09-23-2012, 12:06 AM

Sorry I have been missing in action and did not reply to you sooner than this. Been working in my office and coming home so exhausted I sleep about four hours.

First things first, the pop in your back. Hopefully, you were reaching with the near bedside hand to grasp your drink, because that across body grab would be quite a reach and could be troublesome if you stretched. Remember BLAST, no bend, lift, stretch or twist until doc goves the go ahead. If you had caused something to come loose, it will be apparent when the unit is first switched on, for me two weeks post op. If a lead will not respond, it will be the give away something may be amiss. On the other hand, if you were twisting or stretxhing, you may have only caused overexertion of a muscle [yes, they were bothered a lot in surgery] and that could result in the spasms. Usually though, the patient will be sent home with anti-spasm med such as robaxin or flexeril or another to help avoid or control spasms.

You asked earleir about getting up and down from bed- that is the log roll. Lie on your bed as a log near the edge. Bring your legs toward your chest, then swing them down over the side of the bed as you lever your torso up with your arms. Once you are sitting on your bedside, then stand straight up, using legs and abdominals. This will get you to upright standing to visit the restroom or walk around wthin your home.

Those female issues, oh, my goodness!! I am sorry that is happening as you are so busy with everything else, but feel you are blessed to have your doc fully informed what is wrong so your troubles can be addressed soon.

Prayin for you up here in high country!
Be easy on yourself!
Mark56

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