Great point medic7054!

I totally forgot to mention the leads.
Yes, at every appointment and just before your surgery be sure you confirm with the rep and the Doctor that you want to be sure all your leads are MRI Compatable and approved (that is if your unit is supposed to be MRI compatable).

After one of my surgeries I found out that one of the leads they decided would work best was not yet approved as MRI Compatable and even though they said it would be approved soon, the imaging places would not do my MRI.

Another item that was never discussed or explained well to me before my surgeries.

Jim,
The battery is located inside the control unit, so there is just one implant and the leads.

I had them at 2 different levels near the beltline.
The original one was right under the belt and I liked it there. The current one is just above and it bothers me because my belt actually digs in a bit below the unit.

They actually form a pocket below your skin to slide the controller in. For each of mine they cut a horizontal opening and that was the top of the pocket. I did not know enough to specify exactly where I wanted it and so when I said under the beltline like the other one was - i guess he just got it close. (not an earth shattering issue, but something I look back on and wish I had been clearer on where to place it).

My other one is on the left side of my back just about at the last rib. it can be annoying when I lie on something hard or against a metal chair or such. They said they could place it further away but that would require extension leads which provides another possible area for issues. So I decided not to add the extension leads.

Again, at the time I just wanted relief. Now that I have it, I wish I have been educated more about the possibilities.

Ultimately, the final decision will be by the surgeon during the operation - he's the boss, but your rep should be there to ensure that what is done is in YOUR best interest.

Wishing you the best!
Carl

@cbrackle

Thanks, Carl. The rep has mentioned the placement issue. As I said, I'm thin, so having enough padding reduces the options. I think that I'll ask about placing it as far left as they can, as I never sleep on my left side.

That long with no bending, lifting, twisting? My poor yards and pasture. I hope I'll be able to ride my mower, at least.

Jim

Did I mention that the implant was moved forward to June 19, from July 19! That gives me only one week to do all the work that I thought I had another month to do. I'm afraid it won't all get done.

Now that it's only a week away, I'm starting to feel anxious about it. I struggle with anxiety disorder along with depression, so I'm wishing I could see the therapist more than just once this week.

Jim

Have angina and was informed from more than one cardiologist not to have this implant. With angina you need to be able to feel if this is a heart attack or heart pains. If you need it removed it's not easy.

I have PRINZMETAL ANGINA and have the Stimulator however the Mayo Dr. said I had a very severe case and could not have bypass. I've had it 2 years and its been a blessing for me in helping with the pain

Yes, a Boston Scientific for almost 10 yrs. Finally had it removed this year since I received no relief from it.
The neuropathy in my feet and ankles is getting worse, and is painful at night. Walking is pure muscle memory now, and shoes are very uncomfortable. Summer is great as I can wear open sandals.

I just had it installed Jan 3rd, 2018. Ive never been so miserable and uncomfortable in my life. Five days ago I developed hives. I've changed nothing in my daily living that would have caused the hives.
I can't help but think it has something to do with the surgery.

Sounds to me ,your body is rejecting it .Think about having it removed. Not everyone is made the same ,but with hives that s an allergy,so you decide but I recommend having it removed.

I was tested for one at the M health pain clinic but was not receptive. Instead I was given an intrathecal pain pump. A small pump implanted in my abdomen with a catheter running up my spine dripping 2.75 mg of Dilaudid into my spine every 24 hours. I also have a small remote which allows me to dose myself 10 times in a 24-hour period with another one tenth of a milligram per dose. This may not seem like much but taking your drugs this way is 300 times more effective than eating them. I had gotten to the point where no dose of oral narcotics was doing the job. This is the most effective pain control I have ever had and I would encourage anyone who can have surgery to have one of these or at least talk to your doctor about it. We're not supposed to make recommendations so I'm withdrawing my recommendation and saying it worked for me. I did have to wait over a year to get it as I was recovering from cancer and from chemotherapy and had a lot of chronic infections and they wouldn't give me the surgery for the pump until I had been infection free for one year. Best move I ever made. Thank you Doctor Park and thank you University of Minnesota.