Hi Deb,
I have to 1st set up a physical to be cleared and to get an EKG and a chest X ray and labs. Once I get that done, they said to call and set up the surgery. I have found a place that can do all of the pre-surgical work ups, all in one place. So, I think I should be able to get an appnt. with them within the next 7 days or so. Then I am guessing that I would be able to get into a operating room in another 2 weeks. (My fusion, which was going to be 4 hrs. long and required 2 Dr. to correlate their schedules, took 3 weeks to get on the surgery schedule. This is just a 1 1/2 hr. procedure with just 1 Dr.)
Yes, I have terrible feet and leg pain. Most of the leg pain is under control with Neurontin. It makes it liveable, but the feet are a constant, my Butt is a mess, my SI area in swollen and painful everyday. The SI is permanently out of its socket. Now I have Bursitis on the opposite side from the SI joint. Those aren't even touched with my oxycontin and neurontin. Since I have tried everything else, including radio frequency, the stimulator is my last hope. If it does not work, I will be on meRAB. the rest of my life and will be in this ongoing pain.
As for scar tissue, it makes it a lot more difficult to thread the lead to the spine, if ther is scar tissue in between your back and your spine. I have already gone into the PM office to have the stimulator trial put in. What should have been an hr. procedure was 3 1/2 hrs. He tried everything to push through the tissue, but it was like rock. So, he tried to send the lead up to the lowest part of the spine that he could get to and finally placed the leaRAB at T9, 10, and 11. I never got the vibrations to get high enough to get to my back and hips. W/i 4 days, I was back and in so much pain. The stimulator rep. met me at the PM's office and when they looked with an X ray, and the rep saw where the leaRAB were placed, he said that was why I could not get the results up in my back. The leaRAB needed to be much lower. But they could not get them any lower and so they took the leaRAB out. Now, I am going in to see if a specialist, that works with special spine issues, can surgically open me up and place the leaRAB in the correct place. It is a 50/50 chance that it will work, but it is my last option. So, I am giving it a try.
I would definatly ask your Drs. what their experiences have been with people that have scar tissue. Make sure that you tell them that you know of a person or a couple of people that have had problems getting the leaRAB to the correct place in the spine, due to scar tissue. This way they will realize you know what you are talking about and won't brush the ? off by saying it is not a problem. Also, the other issue with scar tissue is if you already have it, you are more likely to have more scar tissue build up around the lead, on your spine. If something were to go wrong and you needed to take it out and it was stuck to your spine...well you can imagine the difficulty that comes with that situation.
I still think its worth the try, but go in it with all the knowledge that you can get and don't hesitate to let your Dr. know what you have learned.
Good luck and please keep us posted. I will do the same when mine is finished.
Lorie:angel:
. Just in the last 2 weeks it is the top of my left foot. It feels like a huge bruise, with the lightest touch to it. Also, the backs of both of my legs, when I am walking.