Update on my DRG stimulator Implant. Implanted 12 days ago.

Hi again, to all my Neuropathy Friends! I had to tell you the latest news on my DRG stimulator. I just got back from seeing my pain doc and my ABBOTT rep. Both said it can easily take a good, solid, 6 weeks, and sometimes even more, to get the DRG stimulator adjusted right. The ABBOTT guy spent easily 10 minutes sending electricity to my legs, butt cheeks, ankles, and feet. I got these not so nice tingles, vibrations, that let him know how much and where to send the electricity. He wound up giving me a whole new program. Interestingly, I learned that the DRG nerves around the lumbar spine are anatomically impossible to exactly locate. Of course, the doc knows the ball park of where they generally are, but everyone is a little different. Therefore, adjustments need to be made to the machine to get just the right amount and placement of electricity. I wish they had told me ahead of surgery. I thought this was a failure, and it sounds like it is not. At least, not yet. Interestingly, when I walked out of the office, my feet moved in a more flexible fashion, like normal, human feet!!! For joy! The simple pleasure of almost normal foot movement! I wanted to dance my feet in a sprinkler! Now, let's all pray that this second program works better! Seems better already! Just to note; wouldn't it be nice if these docs took the time to really explain things? Of how bout if ABBOTT Labs, with all their money, invested in a simple brochure to help the patient understand the real deal of the DRG! And this one is for you, Hank, because I know you would be watching over Linda carefully; all ABBOTT reps are not created equal. The guy I had today was utterly thoughtful, careful, logical, and really THOUGHT!!! I don't know if I can request him, but I am going to, anyway! They are busy, and sometimes their schedules do not allow. But we have to be proactive in caring for ourselves, and I will try to have him come to my next appointment in 6 weeks. I am hopeful again. Thank God for small wonders...... Love to you all, Lori

Hi again, to all my Neuropathy Friends! I had to tell you the latest news on my DRG stimulator. I just got back from seeing my pain doc and my ABBOTT rep. Both said it can easily take a good, solid, 6 weeks, and sometimes even more, to get the DRG stimulator adjusted right. The ABBOTT guy spent easily 10 minutes sending electricity to my legs, butt cheeks, ankles, and feet. I got these not so nice tingles, vibrations, that let him know how much and where to send the electricity. He wound up giving me a whole new program. Interestingly, I learned that the DRG nerves around the lumbar spine are anatomically impossible to exactly locate. Of course, the doc knows the ball park of where they generally are, but everyone is a little different. Therefore, adjustments need to be made to the machine to get just the right amount and placement of electricity. I wish they had told me ahead of surgery. I thought this was a failure, and it sounds like it is not. At least, not yet. Interestingly, when I walked out of the office, my feet moved in a more flexible fashion, like normal, human feet!!! For joy! The simple pleasure of almost normal foot movement! I wanted to dance my feet in a sprinkler! Now, let's all pray that this second program works better! Seems better already! Just to note; wouldn't it be nice if these docs took the time to really explain things? Of how bout if ABBOTT Labs, with all their money, invested in a simple brochure to help the patient understand the real deal of the DRG! And this one is for you, Hank, because I know you would be watching over Linda carefully; all ABBOTT reps are not created equal. The guy I had today was utterly thoughtful, careful, logical, and really THOUGHT!!! I don't know if I can request him, but I am going to, anyway! They are busy, and sometimes their schedules do not allow. But we have to be proactive in caring for ourselves, and I will try to have him come to my next appointment in 6 weeks. I am hopeful again. Thank God for small wonders...... Love to you all, Lori

@lorirenee1 That is good news. I don't know anything about the DRG stimulator you had installed. I don't much about my nerve stimulator. I'm glad there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

Just when things seem their bleakest, suddenly a ray of light. This is great to hear Lori! Everything will remain firmly crossed for the duration, fingers, toes, anything else I can think of. Hank

@lorirenee1 I'll keep praying for you, Lori. When I had my stimulator implant in 2017, it was a six week wait for it to start working because the surgical scar tissue had to heal before the electrical pulses would get through to my feet. That's definitely a layman's explanation.

I like my Abbott rep. It still rankles that I met the surgeon only one time, and that was a 15 second introduction in the surgery prep area. I never saw him before or after the implant. That's also an indication of how much information I was given. I had to do my own research online.

I'm hoping now that my pain will be reduced after back surgery enough to get my SCS reset. We don't get many guarantees in this life, and no one can know what tomorrow will bring. There's an old gospel song that says "I don't know about tomorrow, but I know He holds my hand." I'm praying for continued improvement for you, Lori.

Jim

@lorirenee1 That is good news. I don't know anything about the DRG stimulator you had installed. I don't much about my nerve stimulator. I'm glad there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

👍🏻

@rwinney Hi Rachel, Thanks for everything, always. I hope you are having a decent day today. Your fighting spirit amazes me all of the time. Any word from Mayo about going there? I am praying that Covid does not interrupt your plans in the fall to go there....Love to you, Lori

@lorirenee1 Hey - Lori! First let me let you know, I am holding out such hope for you and your DRG implant. I think time and patience will be on your side with effective relief and I am always sending positive thoughts your way.

I recently received another welcome packet from Mayo for my Oct 5th trip. I have no idea if I'll actually get there but, I'm counting on it. The thing that concerns me most is quarentine. I'm completely uninterested in being away for 5 weeks, should that be the case. On the flip side...my new Neuro Opthamologist personally called me this morning and said I would be receiving a call from a neuro opthamologist from Mayo, FL (his buddy) and supposedly, they will see me while at Mayo, for my eyes problems. I'm very excited about this possibility and keeping hope alive! Time will tell, in these uncertain times.

My best to you, my dear, for a pleasant be kind to yourself type of day. 😊

Rachel