Upsetting news from the doctor...

Hi Nurse2, I am so sorry you are having such a horrible time right now. I don't have any info on the tens unit but I did want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am sure there will be alot of members come by soon with much needed information for you. I sure hope you get some relief soon. Take care.

I have used an external tens unit on my lower spinal area over the s/i joints and it has been a tremendous help. But I think perhaps you may be talking about something else. At any rate, I wish you well and I will say a prayer for you.

Lindaloo

((((((((((nurse2))))))))))). I hope the increase in the patch helps!

Is your doctor talking about an external tens unit or an SCS? I was supposed to go through a trial of a peripheral nerve stimulator (same device as an SCS, just the electrodes would be placed on facial nerves, not spinal nerves) a couple weeks ago, but it got postponed (again) due to insurance issues with the hospital & I don't have a new date yet because we are having a hard time getting 2 OR times 7 - 10 days apart (for the trial & then the implantation or removal) at the new hospital.

hugs,
Skeye

Nurse so sorry to hear this too, but if it helps with your pain that would be great. If you are talking about the SCS implant please use the search here at the forum, type in SCS stimulators and you will find lots of info there too.

Nurse 2, I know well the feeling when the dr comes in the room and does not have to ask how you are doing. On one hand, it is reassuring to know that the dr is that aware. on the other hand, we wonder why it has taken so long to get help when it feels like all is caving in around us. From you post, there seems to be some confusion about what procedure your dr wants you to have. There is an external tens unit that works by having electrodes taped to the skin in 2 or 4 places. The pads that contain the electrodes are not painful to put on or take off. You control the amount of shock that you receive. Again, it is not painful but can take a little while to get used to the feeling of the tingling going on constantly. I used a tens unit and still have mine although I did not find the relief I was looking for. It works better for some than others.

If the dr is talking the Spinal Cord Stimulator, then that is a totally different senerio. As was described in replies, there is usually a week trial period. If the trial goes well then the leads are surgically implanted along with the generator. If possible, can you clear up the procedure that you are looking at so we can give you greater imput. I know it has been a long haul but all any of us can tell you is to keep fighting and hopefully the increase in the meds will help until the next step is taken. I will check back in later to see if you are around.

Nurse, I know what you mean that when the drs say something and you are expecting something else, it can be difficult to fully understand what they are saying. It is not until later that you come up with the questions and other remarks that you would like to ask. It is not like you can call them up any time and ask them questions. It sounds like the SCS unit or spinal cord simulator. Usually they do a 7 day trial first. That includes a small procedure where they don't knock you out but insert one or two wires along the spinal column and they have a rep there from the maker of the scs and when they think they have it in place, they can hook it up and see how it works. Then they tape the wires down and you have a small control unit that you can adjust the amount of electrical shock which allows you to see how well it works. I went back to work the same day when I had my trial but normally they would have you rest for a day or so.

After the week is up, they ask you how the scs worked for you. If you get relief then they consider the implant. That is a little more involved as they set the wire leads into the spinal column and implant a small generator under the skin. When do you go see the next dr who is to do the procedure? Keep in touch and I will help in any way I can.

I know what you mean when you say God still has work to do. We might not fully understand why God does what He does, but we still trust Him and look to Him for the strength and comfort we need. Blessings!

Well, there has been no word from the doctors office about the referral so when I was at my physical therapy appt. last Fri. my husband went to talk to my pain doc's office about it. They couldn't understand it because they said that usually they do the referrals quickly. The receptionist was going to call and check on things and send my chart again. Thing is, he may have looked at the chart and decided to leave town rather than touch a person like me with so many problems. :) I'm sure that I'll be hearing something.
Right now I think I'm going to have to see my internest because all I want to do is sleep. I have suffered for years with not being able to sleep and I know that I'm on this Duragesic patch but I can't keep my eye's open. Most evenings I go to bed at 6:30p.m. and sleep until about 3:00a.m. I get up, get some water, go to the bathroom and get back into bed until around 6:00a.m. I could take a 3 hour nap in the afternoon too. I didn't have this problem with the patch when I first started it so I wonder if my anemia is worse. It wasn't that bad to begin with but my doctor put me on iron. I take it faithfully but I feel like someone has sucked the "life-force" out of me. I've stopped the 6 wks. of daily sobbing my eyes out due to the steroids and they should be out of my system now. I do have a little good news. The physical therapy has given me a little more movement in my arm. I can now, with some straining, touch my right shoulder and I haven't done that for 10 months. YEAH! It might be time for a little blood work. My 24 hr. urine was off (high) by 100 pts. and my rheumy said that she would check it again at my next visit-----3 mon. away.
Hope everyone has a good day. I hear the birds singing outside so it must be time to crawl back in bed and listen to their song for a little while.
Nurse2