First thing I want to say is, it is not normal to have “pocket pain” that long after the implant procedure. Most SCS batteries today are quite small units, and there normally is plenty of spaces in your body where this battery can be fitted in a somewhat “comfortable” way. You should most def have a discussions with your surgeon about ifeal placement for you, you must discuss where the implants fit best on your specific body. Everyone is different, especially us who are
in pain management. My point is that you may very well experience much pain right after the actual implant surgery. That is completely normal. And it is hyper important to folow the “no bend no twist no bearing down” for the first few weeks to ensure an optimal outcome. In my experience it takes between 4 to 8 weeks to heal enough for scar tissue around the implant and wires to form. And if your surgeon placed your battery in a sound spot you really should not
feel that much discomfort from
the pocket, the post op pain should not last more than 2-4 weeks. And I feeel that I know what I’m talking about, I have two implants (pain pump + an SCS) both sitting on my lower back /flanks on each side. I sleep on my back so I thought my days of sleeping on my back were numbered, but much to my surprise both implants have found their pocket and stays there making enough scar tissue for it hold it all in place. I only deal with the awful post op painfor some weeks. The pain pump was by far the most painful of the two,
it took me 2-3 months to feel better. But today I have very little pocket pain and I know this is because both implants were done by one of the best neurosurgeons
in the country. I wish everyone out there dealing with implants well,
it is not easy to adapt to these
implants but in my experience they become a part of you, or rather an extension of you. And pumps and stims can be life savers for so
many, it is just imperative to get it right the first time and avoid complications. If done right a stim or a pump can literally give you much of your life back so it is worth considering them.Just use the best surgeons if you have one available and near you
But today I hardly feel them
anymore unless I accidentally sleep right onto of my pump, which rarelt happens. My point is this:
make sure your surgereon who does your implant(s) is the moet
experienced doctor you can find placing this tech inside your body. An inexperienced surgeon might make many “small” errors which easily results in a bad outcomes; both post op pocket pain and lack of efficacy on the SCS itself comes from inexperience. So if you consider an SCS or any other tech for pain that needs an implant operation you must do whatever you can to get access to the best surgeon to do the job. When it is done correctly by a sound surgeon you are much more likely to have a successful result. It is not normal to deal with a lot of pocket pain. and complications down the line. I am
almost certain the issues you experience stem from mediocre work by an inexperienced surgeon uaing you as a guinea pig. If done right pocket pain should be a minimal issue, but if done wrong and when. your body rejects the implant then you are likely better off using less invasive treatments and sticking to oral medications.
These implants are pushed hard on us chronics, it doesn’t take long before you get a brochure from Abbott or the like..again, please make sure to see only the best and brightest surgeons in this field. There are far too many horror stories out there about medical malpractice causing much harm to many..so vet your surgeon and pain management doctor before you agree to a trial and then the actual implant. Take your time, be sceptical and make sure this implant is right for you. This tech is
certainly not for just anyone