Does anyone have redness and bruising at their SCS battery site?

ms_west

Hi, It almost sounds like your battery pack is shifting and rubbing your skin raw. What are the doctors saying?

Has the implant helped you? Back pain? Leg Pain?

ouarmymarinemom

My Dr. says it looks like it is trying to pop out of my skin and his PA says that it looks like it has moved. They did x-rays 3 wks ago to see if anything has shifted. No one has gotten back with me about the results which makes me not trust them a little bit. In the meantime, I've been having some paralyzing burning sensations. I literally have to imobilize myself to stop the pain which is just unbearable. Thanks for responding to my thread, I'm upset they haven't gotten back with me on my results and was wondering if they were just telling me something to passify me. I have pain in my neck, shoulders, and lower back along with RLS. 2 cervical fusions, a bulging disc in my lumbar region and 1 revision on the stimulator at this time.

ms_west

Gosh, you have been thru the ringer. I am facing my 5th surgery and I am contemplating about the scs but the more I read about this it sounds like it can cause alot of problems. Have you had any infections with it?

I would be very upset about them not getting back with you. I would definitely call them first thing in the morning and if need be go sit in their office to get a response from them.

Good luck and please keep us posted. I will say a prayer for you.

ouarmymarinemom

Thanks for the nice comments. If I were to have the option, I would never do it again. I'm in so much more pain now than before. I've not had any infections that I am aware of. I was concerned that the bruising was some sort of infection waiting to burst thru my skin. It was the worst surgery I've ever had recovery wise and it hasn't helped me as much as they claimed it would. I've basically had problems with it from day 1. Please do your research if you are considering one. It has left me in such worse condition. Plus I know my Dr's are disappointed that they haven't been able to help me and I feel like they are giving up on me. Thanks for the prayers, I will do the same for you.

flower22mary

Hi I am sorry you are having such bad problems. I only had my scs fitted in September and I really wished I had not bothered. Mine was fitted to help with the pain in my legs and lower back. I had back surgery in 2001, 2003 and a fusion of my s1 through to L5 in 2004. I have the receiver fitted in my stomach which does stick out more than I thought it would. I have a bulge in my lower back where the leads are. I now have more pain in my back than I ever had before. I am now unable to do most day to day things because the pain is so great. I have returned to the hospital and was told this was just normal post op pain. But I am really not convinced. I am going again this week to try and get programmed better. If anyone asked if I recommended having one fitted I would tell them to think long and hard and to do plenty of research. At this present time I do regret having mine fitted. I do hope you sort your problems out real soon.

ouarmymarinemom

Was the fitting them going in and repositioning it or was that when it was initially implanted? I have your same sentiments with the normal pain to be expected. The fact is these things were supposed to help with the pain, not make things worse. I worry too, about the Medtronic reps. I was told that their heavier patients do not have any problems with pain in their battery sites. If that is the case, they should have evaluated if my weight was an issue from the start. I feel they are saying anything to me to try to justify the pain I'm feeling. Also, I've read stories of one implant being extracted because it had failed and the patient had clearly told them and the Dr. that she wanted the device to take with her so she could try to find out what had happened. Of course, the Medtronic rep is always there when any procedures are done on these units and when the patient woke, the rep had taken it with them. Out of curiosity, how is the receiver working out with it being located in your stomach? Are you able to wear normal clothing and what type of pain sensations are you experiencing (burning, stabbing, aching?) I hope you get your problems worked out as well, as for me, I'm wanting it taken out and as soon as possible.