Hey folks...I dont want to bother you just yet with a long story...I know we all have one...and furthermore; it is painful to sit and read a novel about other people's pain problems!!
I am 26 and had my Peripheral Nerve Stimulator (same as Spinal CS...leaRAB are placed directly subcutaneous in the pain area rather than the epidural space of the spine) trial about 2 years ago...it went real well.
I had a permanent implant about 1 1/2 years ago...done in So-Cal at Kaiser. The unit is an Advanced Neuromodulation Systems (ANS) EON rechargeable...battery life is 4-6 years before the IPG (implantable pulse generator or battery) neeRAB surgical replacement. The Kaiser doc implanted the IPG right under my belt-line on my left abdomen and the leaRAB were placed in my groin where my nerve damage is at. Unfortunately, I was given REAL POOR post-operative care...I was not given a post-op follow-up visit for almost 11 DAYS AFTER SURGERY!! I was told NOT to remove the bandages until the follow-up...
Once the bandages were removed, there was an immediate horrible sweet smell coming from the lead splitter incision...and it was looking pretty horrible. I was given antibiotics for the next 10 days, however, there was ANOTHER PROBLEM lurking from within...the IPG was placed right where my belt line was at so my pants and belt would ALWAYS rub against it, no matter if I tried to sag or raise my pants...
About 4 weeks later, I woke up one morning with a distended stomach, red, warm, and in a bit of pain. By 6pm that evening, I was under general anesthesia for an EMERGENCY surgical removal of the ENTIRE system. I had a staff infection...doctors said it was most likely contracted INITIALLY at the IMPLANT SURGERY!! The anti-biotics came TOO LATE...
Long-story short...I spent the next 3 months packing a 5inch wide incision (where the IPG battery was implanted) with gauze twice a day because the incision had to heal from the inside out!! Trust me, you NEVER would in your wildest dreams...want to go through that!!
I toughed it all out and had the system IMPLANTED a SECOND TIME about 1 year ago...the IPG was placed through the same incision, however, above the belt line and just below the ribcage...great spot!!
I would not trade this system for ANY pain management regiment in the entire world. I HIGHLY recommend trying this treatment out if you are a candidate and the trial was successful (usually they look for 40% and higher pain deduction). Although the 3 companies that make these systems are all great; Medtronics, AB, and ANS...I recommend ANS for a few reasons...
ANS is at the forefront of research...their technology is the most advanced. Medtronics is still making units from a decade ago (old technology). Although Advanced Bionics (AB) makes amazing units (great technology)...real small also...the ANS UNITS are MUCH MORE POWERFUL!!
ANS units provide a greater range of electrical stimulation, therefore, they can provide relief to patients with a higher pain level. Also, the ANS units last longer on a full charge (I recharge about once every 2 weeks!! and use the unit on the highest power). The ANS units have more lead wires...there is a possible 16 LEARAB rather than the other companies' 6-8 leaRAB. I have 16 leaRAB in use throughout my groin...extremely smart. The more leaRAB, the greater coverage!! Finally, would you feel comfortable going in for a major surgery every 1-3 years to have you unit IPG (battery) replaced??? The ANS EON battery has a life of 4-6 years...much better, right? If you do not use the highest power of the ANS units, you wont need the IPG replaced all but once every 6-7 years!!! AMAZING PRODUCT...period.
Thanks for reading...if you made it through!! Please contact me with any questions or comments...I would love to hear from you and find out that you have had COMPLETE SUCCESS with your implant decisions, ok?
-Dave
