cherish22

cherish22's picture

Location

Where do I live?
Midwest

Medical History

Medical History

Dec. 05 L5/S1 Laminectomy/Discectomy, failed

Mar. 06 L5/S1 Fusion w/o hardware, with BMP, failed

Dec. 06 360 PLIF with BMP, rods, screws, cages

Nov. 07 NCT and EMG showed acute and chronic S1 nerve damage

Feb. 08 Fainted and had spinal compression fracture
June - moved to a new state and started all over with new docs

Aug. 08 2 bilateral selective Nerve Root Blocks at S1, no relief.

Oct. 31, 08 - Had a 4.5 hour psych evaluation for SCS. Awaiting results. Passed and cleared for any implant in the future.

12.4.08 to 12.09.08- ANS Eon Mini Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial, procedure was traumatizing (see posts on Pain Management forum) but result was SUCCESSFUL. Performed by the PM anesthesiologist who I later found out does not do my "type/brand" that often and put the needle attempts (all 6) in at the wrong angle. Would have loved to know that BEFORE allowing him to touch my back.

1.5.09 - Permanent placement of the ANS Eon Mini spinal cord stimulator (SCS), 2 leads, threaded up my back, anchored a few inches lower, with the IPG (implanted pulse generator in my upper right hip where I have been numb for years and do not feel it at all, including during recovery. I REFUSED to leave the operating table until i was buzzing in the right place - do NOT get up until you feel the buzzing where you feel pain. The whole point is to position the leads in the perfect spot. If that doesn't happen during the procedure, they will have to go back and you don't want that. Discovered I have an "anomaly" of some sort in my spine along with tons of scar tissue that caused problems in both the trial and permanent placement procedures. Had MUCH more pain control and wasn't as uncomfortable during the permanent placement, done by a NEUROSURGEON, which I highly recommend.

6+ weeks after placement - I shut it down!! I was an angel. No Bending, Lifting or Twisting, didn't lift a milk carton, didn't bend over, had hubby shave my legs, help me put pants on, you name it. Super super duper duper careful so my leads would scar down and not move.

7.1.09 - Doing great with the SCS. Due to all the extra activity I'm able to do, I've lost 25+ lbs since placement. Will never give this up! Side effects, though - bladder and bowel numbness, along with off and on nausea and GI issues. Worth it!

8.22.09 - Still doing great. GI issues and nausea have resolved. Bladder is still "flaccid" but I'm managing without having to self-cath, and it the least of my problems. I won't be messing with the SCS or pain regimen to try to fix the bladder issue. Not worth losing the amazing coverage I have now. Just today, spent 6 hours in town with hubby, going to fabric stores where I stood and walked for hours, went to lunch, did more driving, went to a furniture store walking around and trying out different couches (Up and down, up and down, lol) and came home to rest in my recliner. It's 1:30 am and I'm doing fine. (Always the night owl)

Last weekend, went to a marriage seminar which was 4.5 hours Friday night and then 4.5 hours Saturday morning, and I was able to stay for the entire thing, including getting up "early" for me and being able to move and function just fine. Left, went out to eat, ran some errands, and then came home to spend 5+ hours in the pool with hubby. This after spending many months reclined 23 hours a day, fully reclined. Just wanted to give an idea what I am able to do nowadays. Such a blessing to have the SCS available to me and implanted in my body. Still numb to my toes, still on meds, numb bladder.....all worth it. What came first? The chicken or the nerve damage? lol But I am not suffering from 24/7 burning/searing nerve pain and for that, I will be forever grateful. Was pretty sure I would have gone insane otherwise.

Oh, to this day, I still don't bend, lift or twist much at all. I have grippers all over house helping me do housework, pick things up off the floor. I can do almost anything I want except clean bathtubs and shower floors because I can bend down or bend over. But I have found ways to do almost everything else. I have my life and my genuine smile back and I love to share that smile every day!

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