itchy, itchy, itchy!!

[jeric]

I know some people here have had the SCS trial and I'm guessing they used the same horrible tape to hold it down and cover the surgical tape that I have... though mine is probably higher than the SCS.... since mine was for an occipital nerve stimulator my bandage goes from a bit above the bottom of my hair line all the way down to where my bra lies. I have a large clear tegaderm bandage.... and it is driving me nuts!!!!! It is itching soooooo bad!!!

Has anyone else expereinced this... or something like it? I'm thinking I'm going to itch through the bandage soon....

I was supposed to go and be seen tomorrow just as a check-in to see how I'm doing.... and I ran into all sorts of problems with getting there. I talked to the PA today and she said that they would be able to work with me on a time to come in tomorrow (so I would hopefully be able to arrange a ride) but... she said that getting my dr to agree to change the bandage is really tough.... apparently she's set in her ways and doesn't like to change them unless she'e removing the trial. :S

Any suggestions on how to deal with the itching? I can't even enjoy the fact that this is helping me because bandage is driving me nuts!!

Thanks!

[jeric]

Hi all again!

I met with the stim rep today, and he put in an awesome program!! It has 5 different areas that I can change just in the one program and it's awesome! It was much easier programming and feeling where the stimulation was going when I wasn't all numb. We still weren't able to get the stimulation in the front of my head as much as we would like but that was only because then it needs to be turned up higher and it's too much for me in the back of my head, but we both think thats only beause that area is still tender from the surgery.

I thought the ONS was great before I didn't know we could get it to be even better!! I love this!! :)

[jeric]

Well I was able to have my bandage changed on Thursday... yay!! I have a bit more range of motion with my neck so I am more comfortable... and it's a little bit smaller.... but not much.... and it still itches.... but not as bad. :-)

I have to go back this Monday yet again to met with the stim rep cause somehow one of my areas got deleted from one of my programs.... and of course it was my fav. program too! :s

The remote has been driving me insane tho.... almost everytime before I use it I go to 'wake to up' by pushing any button and them I'm supposed to hold down the 'P' button to unlock it. However when I push the button to 'wake it' it doesn't show me the screen to unlock the remote.... it shows me the screen that says no response.... however it's very faint and hard to read and backwards... I have no clue, but when I take the batteries out and put them back in it starts up ok... weird! :) I will have to ask the rep... or show him hopefully on Monday.

Then if I can get a PA to change my bandage while I'm there again I should have no problem with itching through my bandage til it's removed on Thursday.

[nurseaudrea]

I remember when I was on the Fentanyl patch I had a tagoderm to cover it. It drove me nuts. It itched so bad I could not stand it. I would scratch at it and it only made the bandage come loose. Then I tried using other tape. It all made me itch. I could not handle the adhesive in it. It caused me to break out with tiny little bumps where the tape was and it was bright red with irritation. I had to stop using it and go to something else.

[jeric]

Everything regarding the stimulation and my headaches is great! The muscles in my neck are super sore cause the bandage is too tight and cause thats where all the 'work' was done. And then theres the itching... basically I'm only going in if she's willing to change the bandage... and I think I found a ride, one of my friends is actually skipping one of her classes to take me though :O.

That same friend just helped me wash my hair though (aganist drs orders :O) and I feel a bit better though now that my hair is clean... just being able to make that thing better has not really helped with the itching but it has helped me to deal with the itching better. :)

We will see.... I just hope she agrees to change the bandage.

[sandee1818]

Be sure and ask your doctor about what remedies you can use for the itching when you go in. You might try benadryl, it may help some.
Good luck
How is everything going besides the itching?