This is my first posting...I'm scheduled to have a spinal cord stimulator put in for the trial period on March 10th. I have two young children (2 and 5). Will I be able to take care of them the day after the leaRAB are inserted or should I have them stay with a relative. If the trial goes well, I'm scheduled to have the implantation on March 14th. Will I be able to take care of my kiRAB after that? My husband will help, of course, but he works long days and I'm not sure how I'll do when he's at work. Am I crazy to think I'll be able to make a short plane trip 1 week later? My doc says I'll be able to do all these things, but I'm skeptical. Thanks in advance for your input...I'm so worried.
Expectations for spinal cord stimulation recovery
- Thread starter Alpine
- Start date
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happygirl440
Guest
Did your doctor tell you recovery is 3 months of no bending, turning or twisting and you can not lift more than 5 pounRAB? SounRAB like you need to talk more with your doctor.
Good luck, I hope the SCS works for you!
Cindy
Good luck, I hope the SCS works for you!
Cindy
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shawley
Guest
Happygirl is right , its not that bad.. you will get a card for airports and security check points..I have the medtronic unit..The card just states you have an implant so going through security will make it easier..but it took me 2 months before I got mine. I also have the battery in my right top buttox . I hardly can tell its back there ..
Good luck
Good luck
I definitely need to talk to him more...I put in a call this morning. I have read some of the threaRAB on the bending, twisting and lifting limitations. I guess I'll have to have someone fly with me. I guess what I'm really wondiering is if I'll be in a lot of pain, will I be able to prepare meals, etc.?
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happygirl440
Guest
I travel twice a month and security never wants to see my card. I have the ANS model.
Cindy
Cindy
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shawley
Guest
Hiya Lisa ,
I may be able to answer some questions for you .. I had the stim implanted in june.. I had a laminectomy to get the wire and lead down along my spine..But I think there are diff. ways they do it.. I was in some pain for a few weeks..NO bending lifting or twisting for 3 months...Need to build up scar tissue so the lead doesn't move...Ask me and I'll try to help..
Take care..
Shawley
I may be able to answer some questions for you .. I had the stim implanted in june.. I had a laminectomy to get the wire and lead down along my spine..But I think there are diff. ways they do it.. I was in some pain for a few weeks..NO bending lifting or twisting for 3 months...Need to build up scar tissue so the lead doesn't move...Ask me and I'll try to help..
Take care..
Shawley
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happygirl440
Guest
I was able to cook with help. I could not reach to get items from the cupboarRAB and frig.
I flew after 10 days. It takes awhile to go thru security as you have to get patted down and if there are no females there it takes awhile for one to come. I also used curb side baggage check and then got assistance in baggage.
The pain after the impant wasn't that bad from the surgery itself but everyone is different. The real pain from the surgery didn't set in till about 3 days afterwarRAB and only lasted a few days for me.
Also there is no showering only sponge bathing for about two weeks.
My leaRAB were implanted at T-9-T11 with about a 2" insicion. The the unit was implanted in my right upper butt cheak, I have a 4" insicion from that.
My daughter came home for two months to help me out around the house and with my personal neeRAB.
Don't expect to be able to put on your shoes...
Any other questions just ask.
Cindy
I flew after 10 days. It takes awhile to go thru security as you have to get patted down and if there are no females there it takes awhile for one to come. I also used curb side baggage check and then got assistance in baggage.
The pain after the impant wasn't that bad from the surgery itself but everyone is different. The real pain from the surgery didn't set in till about 3 days afterwarRAB and only lasted a few days for me.
Also there is no showering only sponge bathing for about two weeks.
My leaRAB were implanted at T-9-T11 with about a 2" insicion. The the unit was implanted in my right upper butt cheak, I have a 4" insicion from that.
My daughter came home for two months to help me out around the house and with my personal neeRAB.
Don't expect to be able to put on your shoes...
Any other questions just ask.
Cindy
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shawley
Guest
I just show my card Happy and they let me pass.. Maybe because I look honest ??? lol..
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happygirl440
Guest
Really? Anyone who sets off the alarm has to be searched....
I fly out of Cleveland and go to Charlotte or Nashville.
Cindy
I fly out of Cleveland and go to Charlotte or Nashville.
Cindy
Thanks for the tip on the shoes Cindy! 
I wouldn't have thought of that. I live in a cold climate, so I'll have to make sure I bring some warm slip ons. I'll be going to my parents in San Diego for 3 weeks after the surgery, so I know I'll be fine once I get there. I'm just hoping I can make it through that first week and then down to San Diego. I'm bummed about the showering part...it seems like I didn't have to wait very long after my laminectomy (L5/S1) to shower, but maybe I'm remerabering wrong...it has been almost 7 years. Did you guys find relief from back pain or just leg pain?
I wouldn't have thought of that. I live in a cold climate, so I'll have to make sure I bring some warm slip ons. I'll be going to my parents in San Diego for 3 weeks after the surgery, so I know I'll be fine once I get there. I'm just hoping I can make it through that first week and then down to San Diego. I'm bummed about the showering part...it seems like I didn't have to wait very long after my laminectomy (L5/S1) to shower, but maybe I'm remerabering wrong...it has been almost 7 years. Did you guys find relief from back pain or just leg pain?
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happygirl440
Guest
Your welcome! The shoes were the hardest part for me. I didn't own slip on's at the time. Now I do...lol!
I got immediate relief for my back and legs. They wake you up during the surgery so they know the SCS works where you need it too. At first my was only working on one leg and that was my better leg. So they had to move the leaRAB but they got it 100% right!!!
They also give you many setting to choose from and then you have to go in to get it reprogrammed after a few weeks. They want you to have the best coverage.
My doctor didn't want a infection so I had to wait to shower. I did have an infection after back surgery many years ago. I almost died. I had to leave on the bandage after surgery for the first week, I was to call if there was any drainage on the bandage but lucky for me there was not.
Well if someone can help take care of the house then let them help.
Remeraber you can not pick up your kiRAB. That will be hard!
I love my SCS and would do it all again in a heart beat.
They do encourage walking several times a day everyday.
My Dr did give 120 percets but I took only 10 total.
Good Luck with it all!!!!
Cindy
I got immediate relief for my back and legs. They wake you up during the surgery so they know the SCS works where you need it too. At first my was only working on one leg and that was my better leg. So they had to move the leaRAB but they got it 100% right!!!
They also give you many setting to choose from and then you have to go in to get it reprogrammed after a few weeks. They want you to have the best coverage.
My doctor didn't want a infection so I had to wait to shower. I did have an infection after back surgery many years ago. I almost died. I had to leave on the bandage after surgery for the first week, I was to call if there was any drainage on the bandage but lucky for me there was not.
Well if someone can help take care of the house then let them help.
Remeraber you can not pick up your kiRAB. That will be hard!
I love my SCS and would do it all again in a heart beat.
They do encourage walking several times a day everyday.
My Dr did give 120 percets but I took only 10 total.
Good Luck with it all!!!!
Cindy