Posted on 01/17/2014 6:14:56 AM PST by trussell
Thanks for the update, t. Hang in there. God Willing, you’re almost there.
It is a spinal cord stimulator. If you have ever heard of a TENS unit, it is much the same concept only the TENS is external stimulation and the SCS is internal. THey put a "paddle", most may call it a "lead" into the epidural area of the spinal column. It has between 16 and 32 contacts. Each contact is in TOUCH with another area of the nerve endings coming out of the spinal column. The programming allows for a bubbly feeling or a tingly feeling. I prefer the tingly feeling. They plan to program the unit to affect the nerves that run from the middle of my back, all through my legs to the bottom of my feet and a specific area of the right hip. The right hip was originally the site of the sciatica that caused the problems. THe right hip area has permanent nerve damage, though so does the back and both legs now too.
The whole concept of this unit is that the SCS blocks the message of "pain" to the brain. It replaces that message with the tingling or bubbling feeling instead. It is not believed that it will replace all the pain I have...they have said I will never be free from pain, but they hope to make it more "livable". That made me cry when they first told me that...I thought "why would a person want to keep going on if they know they will suffer pain for the rest of the time they live?" Then I reminded myself, I have the kids and I want to be here for them.
I hope the pain meds will “kick in” and be more efficacious for you soon.
Thank you so much for your kind words. My pain isn't as intense in some areas today but still as intense in others. If I can get someone to "push" me to help me sit up or sit forward, or turn from side to side...that little but of help is enough to help calm some of the pain.
See, that is a good $12 word - efficacious, I just love that word.
That is a great word...have to include that word in my vocab to use soon.
May you continue to do better each day and emerge pain free!
Yay, t!
Many prayers up for healing... you’ve definitely been through some trials!
Thank you for keeping us informed! Prayers continue...
Let me know him it goes.
Had a friend who had one of those and after about a month she stopped or mostly stopped Oxy
Yer under the protection of an awesome God.
It appears you are seeing the light beyond the tunnel. Hang in there.
So sorry you have to go through this, trussell. My mother used to say, travails are how we earn stars in our heavenly crown. You sure have earned a jewelry store full of these “gems.” TAke care, and God bless:)
Thank you so much for providing updates even when you don’t feel well. I have been following your progress and praying for you but haven’t been able to post much lately. I continue to pray for your rapid healing and successful pain management.
(((((Heartfelt Prayers Ascending)))))
Sounds very difficult.... Please hang in there! Will pray.
The pain was intense enough today that I just rolled my eyes to the right, saw my meds sitting just outside of arms reach and refused to move to get them. It was terrible trying to figure out how to get up, get the meds, get a drink and coordinate the capture of all aspects to get the meds into my belly! It took me about 2 hours of laying there in that condition before I finally resigned myself to knowing, if I was going to get relief, I was going to have to force myself into more pain first.
The “LALA” as one other person called it, otherwise known as dilaudid, is getting to the pain a bit more than it use to...I’m praying it will get better after the 25th, when they will better program the unit. I think I may have moved the lead a little when I was trying to get up or turn over...the sensation is not in the same areas as when he programmed it Friday. I can’t bear to eat...drinking is something I have to force, I sit with a bucket next to me all the time, I feel so nauseous that I can’t figure out how to put food in my tummy and keep it there. This might end up being the best diet idea ever invented! Just program it to buzz in the stomach and the person can quit eating, forever!
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Hopefully you’ll come out of this OK. :-(
Sign me up!
I never really feel full.
prayers for your healing
More prayers!
I am so sorry you are suffering like this, FRiend.
Continuing prayers for you to feel better soon.
Good to see you haven’t lost your sense of humor—hang in there, it will get better!
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