this works for you. chronic pain is just so awful and draining.

...stimulator and replacing it but you'll be in my thoughts and I hope it brings you relief from your constant pain. In your post, you said it was first implanted four years ago, after trying everything else. That is a really long time to be in such pain and I really can't imagine. If my memory serves me right, which it often does not, didn't you post a few weeks ago that you completed delta training with your dog? I know that was a lot of hard work and now knowing about your pain I'm extremely impressed. Anyway, if there is anything I can do (I live Round Rock/Austin) email me and I'll send you my phone number. suzannehigbee [at] gmail [dot] com If you don't need me please let us all know how things worked out when you get back next week ok?

You will absolutely be in my prayers. Please know that we are here for you......if you need anything, shoot me an email.
Stacey
~in memory of Moose~

Hi Ellen! I have total empathy for what you are going thru! Since breaking my femur in 2000, I have had RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) which has moved full body. They tried talking me into getting a Spinal Cord Stimulator then... but I was a little too afraid of it. Because of the progression of this disease, I also have so major back problems. Anyway.. long story try to be short.. :) ... after years of the oxycontin and other pain meds, I took myself off those in 2004. I became aware of a lot of rebound pain with the drugs. Anyway... I basically tried controlling my pain with other med, injections, learning my limits... etc.... so.. went along with for a couple years just treating the symptoms.. blah blah. Anyway.. last summer, it came down to either a 3 level fussion.. or the stimulator. I chose the stimulator. OMG... it is awesome!! If I had only known then what I know now!!! I had my first one implanted on Nov. 1st... after a few weeks.. I was in the bathtub and just leaned a little forward to turn the water off... and I felt the leads rip! grrrrr... so.... I had a lead revision this past Feb. 26th. I made dang sure I followed ALL the rules.. NO lifting over 5lbs... NO reaching... NO bending...twisting.. etc... for 8 FULL weeks! I still have to be careful and listen to my body... but life is sooooooooo much better now!! I will definitely keep you in my prayers. Make sure you let me know if I can do anything for you. (Dogsit???) hehehe
kim
Mom to Furgus & Mazy!

Suzanne, Thank you so very much. Yes, Jinxie and I did get to become Delta Society Pet Partners. Sadly we've had to put our work on hold but everyone has been wonderful.

Thanks so much for your support!

Ellen, Loyd and of course Jinxie!

Wow Kim,
I'm so sorry you've gone through this too, but at the same time it's great that we can understand and support each other!

I've never heard of RSD, but it sure sounds like it hurts!!!

The stimulator is really amazing and the only thing I'm concerned about are those 6 weeks that you discribed. I'm changing things in my house so I can reach things and I'm not even venturing near the bath tub!!!

It is truly amazing how wonderful these things work and I wish you continued success!

Thanks so much for your wishes!

Ellen, Loyd and of course Jinxie!

Thanks for your offer and prayers!!! I so appreciate you kindness and support...you're the best!
Ellen, Loyd and of course Jinxie!

I've answered each of you individually, but I have to say how much you all mean to me and how important GDRNT is for me and my family on every level.

With great love!
Ellen, Loyd and of course Jinxie!

Hey Ellen.. I highly recommend those extension grabber things... they have been a life saver. I could even sit in a chair and pull laundry out of the dryer. (ugh) Another thing I suggest... lean on family and friends to help you out. Asking someone to do anything for me is extremely hard... but in learning to serve others.. I know what a blessing it is to me to help someone. Sooooo.. by letting others help YOU... you will be blessing THEM!! :) Knowing what to expect with my 2nd surgery.. it wasn't nearly as bad as the first. I had like a 5" incision down the center of my back.. and about a 3 to 4" incision in my hip. The first time I know the hip incision would be there... but for some stupid reason I had in my head that my spinal area would just have the big needle holes like with the trial and all the other stuff! OOOPS!! lol.. someone forgot to tell me something! :) Do you have a date set yet??
kim
Mom to Furgus & Mazy!

Hi Ellen,

I am soooo sorry you are having to go through all of this! What an inconvenience!! Knowing only what you wrote about the stimulator, how do they give you a new one/replacement? Is it an office procedure or is it full blown surgery? I assume surgery if they are having to go in your back, right? What type of recuperation time is common for this? Wishing you the very best.... And please keep us posted!!

Cristina
Jack & Sydney's mum

The stimulator is implanted under the skin in my lower back, that's the easy part. There are wire leads that run up my spinal column with electrodes on them. That's not really a problem for me because it is "surgery" and I won't be aware of it.

The hard part is after the surgery. Like Kim said when she got hers in, she accidentally pulled the wires. So I'm not allowed to bend, reach, twist, or lift. I've been rearranging my shelves so I can reach some things.

I'm blessed with loyd who will be a great help when hes' not at work, but I am worried about it. If you pull the leads you start all over again, ugh, so I have to be very care.

I'm really hopeful that this will make a huge difference in my health and well being since my old stimulator was working only 50% and I have no idea how long that was? It should go very well and the technology is much improved. It really is the last word for pain management!

Thanks so much for your support!!!!!
Love,
Ellen, Loyd and of course Jinxie!

I already have my grabber out!! Only hope I don't drop it, lOl!

I, like you, have always had trouble asking for help, that's how I got in this fix in the first place! But after I hurt myself I learned that people really want to be there for you, it's amazing! But I still have to keep it in the front of my mind and not to do anything stupid!!!

The surgery is in Austin on Friday, I should hopefully be home by Sunday. This is my second surgery too, but it's the first time they're keeping me in the hospital.

I loved what you said about letting people help you is a blessing for them...means a lot, thank you!!
love,
Ellen, Loyd and of course Jinxie!

To all who have responded, please know I'm making a mess of this post and answering each of you individually below your post! I'm sorry it's confusing!!!!

Thanks to all!
Ellen, Loyd and of course Jinxie!

"I already have my grabber out!! Only hope I don't drop it, lOl!"

haha... i have TWO... and I have been known to have to pick up one with the other! :)

kim
Mom to Furgus & Mazy!

Kim (mom to Mazy & Furgus) started a new link to check on Ellen (Jinxie's mom). She was having surgery on Friday. Anybody have contact info that we could call and check on her? I'm imagining she will not be near a computer for several weeks.
Stacey
~in memory of Moose~

and it should bring you to her contact page with a link to email her...

email me and I will get it to you.

heather [at] danerescue [dot] net

I'm home now and doing rather well from all they had to do! They kept me a bit longer in the hospital than expected, but I'm glad they did. Apparently there was a lot to do in removing the old stimulator and implanting the new and ooooooh it's pretty sore and will be for a while, but everyone said it went really well!

It's so good to be home, how I missed our Jinxie. Of course she's very aware that I'm not myself and is being super sweet and especially gentle with me!

So now I really have to behave myself and not reach, twist, bend or anything else for that matter, ha! My grabber feels like a permanent extension of my left arm! A second grabber makes a lot of sense!

You all really rock! I so appreciate all of your interest and caring!!!! I always have, but it's especially amazing now while I'm feeling so vulnerable and hurting. I thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!!

I can sit at the computer for short bursts, a good thing cause I really missed all of you!!!!

Thanks for being such a special group of special people!!!

Our love to you!

Ellen, Loyd and of course Jinxie!

Great to hear you are home and that your surgery is over with... I am sure you will be recuperating for a while longer, but nothing beats being in your own home and, well, with your beloved Jinxie too! :-)

Cristina
Jack & Sydney's mum

Praying that this one works tons better and has you 1000% soon!

I'm so glad you're back home and really excited for you that everything went well. We will definitely have to get together sometime and compare battle wounds. HA... I know.. we can play a game with our remote controls and see who can turn theirs up the highest!!! hahaha I wish you many, many great pain free minutes. They are a blessing!!!

kim
Mom to Furgus & Mazy!

...I know you still have recovery ahead but I'm so happy the surgery went well and you are back in the comfort of your home...with 'nurse' Jinxie at your side:)

Kim I'd love to get together down the road and share war stories...a stim challenge...you're on!

You sure have been great and I so appreciate it. Perhaps when I have to go to Austin for followups when I'm feeling better we can get together, I'd really love it.

I'm sorry that we both needed to get stims, but the mutual understanding and support means the world to me!

Much love,

Ellen, Loyd and of course Jinxie!

Paws and fingers crossed for a quick recovery!!!

Phyllis, Paul & LA Herd

I'm quite relieved to be home, thanks Phyllis. It's great to have Jinxie's support throughout the day on my way to healing! Thanks to you and Paul and your herd...your herd is such a trip! So impressive!

Many thanks!

Ellen, Loyd and of course Jinxie!