Occipital Nerve Stimulation

[jeric]

Hi all!

I've been treated for Hemicrania Continua for the past 2 1/2 years I've taken indomethacin on and off (due to side effects). My doctors have decided that it's just too dangerous for me to continue taking the indomethacin... I have tried many other treatments some being, melatonin and verapmil and a  lot more... nothing work but the Indomethacin.

They decided to try occipital nerve stimulation and 2 weeks ago I had the trial stimulator put in for 10 days.... it work amazingly!!!! It was awesome it feel soooo good.... I never realized just how much all of these meds were affecting me until I was able to experience life once again pain free and un-medicated!

Since I had such a good response we are going though with the permanent implant and the surgery is scheduled for April 13th!! 23 days!!

Anyways I was wondering if anyone here has an occipital nerve stimulator or any expereince w./ one. My battery pack will be placed under my right clavicle... I'm worrid about there being a lump where it is placed or a large scar... can anyone tell me what to expect? Also what about other incisions?? Will there be other inscisions... how big will they be how will the be closed... sutures, staples, steri-strips?

Thanks!

[painlady3402]

HI

I have just posted a thing on this to say that I had the stimulator trial for 10 days & the results were amazing. Great to have life back again. However, the electrode in my head has now slipped & the doc will not reposition it. Any suggestions. Looks like he wont do the perm implant if the electrode is goining to slip again.
You were right about the incision sights - very sore but a lot better than having a headache & very short term.

[teril]

I only took 4 days off work with my surgery.  It really wasn't that bad.  I was up and doing things at home.  They just don't want you doing any bending, reaching or lifting over 5 lbs.  There is pain from the insisions, but compaired to the headache pain I was having, it really isn't that bad.

[jeric]

Thanks!

When were you able to be up and around after your surgery. I'm a student in college right now and am trying to guess at when I will be able to go back to classes. I know I will have limitations on what I can or cannot do but I'm think that sitting in class is no different than sitting in my dorm room... right?

I guess did you just want to lay in bed after your surgery or were you able to get up and move around?

[teril]

I had my permanent stimulator implanted March 10th.  I have about a 2 1/2" incision below the clavicle.  There is a visible lump where it is implanted, but when it completely heals, it won't be that noticeable.  On the back of my head, there is about an 1 1/2" incision.  Both were closed with stitches.  I had quite a bit of pain at the incision locations, but the headaches were gone immediately.

This was definately well worth it.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Occipital nerve stimulator is a very safe and effective means to control chronic headaches like migraine. It involves placing a neurostimulator under the skin. This neurostimulator delivers electrical impulses to the occipital nerve through the wires placed under the skin. The neurostimulator is placed below the clavicle. The procedure is done under local anesthesia or sedation. You can find more information on the surgery by clicking on the link below:
http://headaches.about.com/od/alternative/a/onstim.htm


http://www.anesthesia-analgesia.org/cgi/content/full/101/1/171