[Sam2]

,This might be better posted on the chronic pain forum, but its more emotional. I have a suborbital and supraorbital peripheral neuro stimulator implanted to help control my migraines and breakthrough pain. (Basically, there is a battery under the skin in my chest with two leads that go up the back of my neck, behind my ear, split off at the corner of my eye and then one lead goes under my eye while the other goes above it. All of this is under the skin). To get the positioning right took twelve surgeries. A couple weeks ago, the stimulator started to act eratically. It would turn itself off and on. (Its controlled by a remote control sort of like a small t.v. remote). I checked the batteries in the remote, made sure the internal battery in my chest was fully charged, then called the tech that sets the programs. They ordered a new peice, but that one was not working properly either. The tech said that in all liklihood, there is something wrong with the leads implanted under my skin. I've taken several falls over the past few weeks due to leg problems, and last week fell backwards down a flight of stairs hitting the area the leads go through. Now the stimulator is really on the fritz.

I'm not scared of the surgery per say, but its very difficult to get the leads in the right place, so they have to wake me up during the surgery to turn it on and have me tell them if I'm getting the stimulation in the right place. The leads have to be sutured to the skull tissue, and getting the leads around the eye is difficult. I'm really bummed out thinking about having to go through that again. Its an outpatient surgery, with the hospital that does it over an hour away. The trip home is horrible and the recovery is very painful. My insurance is already five hundred a month out of pocket, and if another surgery is done, it will go up even more. (At least they are good about coverage). I guess I just need to vent because its really depressing me. Sometimes I think it would be easier if something went wrong in surgery and I passed under anesthesia. Thats not fair though because the Dr. and nurses would have to live with it, and my close friend would be devestated. I've been putting off calling the tech because I'm afraid when they take an x-ray, the leads will be shot. Part of me wants to just let it go, but its a large part of my pain control.

I'm sorry this was so long. Thanks for letting me vent.

Sam2

[Sannah]

I can see how that wouldn't be anything to look forward to. Keep us posted on what happens?

[ThisWayOut]

I'm sorry you are having so many problems with something that is supposed to be helping...