If anyone here has any experience with these things, I would really appreciate some insight.

I just got a call from my PM setting up an appt for the trial. I was
taken aback because I thought that after the psych appt then you went
in for another appt to set up the trial. Ok anyway..LOL!

When they set up the appt, she said she would call me in a valium. A)
Is this normal? Or are they doing this because they know I am a big
baby..which they do. I tell them all the time I have to go to the
surgery center for all my shots because I have a big fear of needles.
And B) Probably a stupid question but I have never taken valium
before. Do I take it before I leave the house to go there? Or do I
take it when I get there in front of the doc? I don't want to do it
the wrong way because this doc is the same one that came in accusing
me of not taking my percocets. So I don't want to give them another
excuse here, ya know?

And if I could get a few opinions of what to expect, I would really
appreciate it. The nurse told me that she had a girl in there that
was absolutely terrified before the procedure, and when it was done
she was commenting on how easy it was. Made me feel a little better,
but I don't know if she was telling me that to reassure me or what.
LOL! Now I think I am in paranoid circles here...

Thanks for the help/advice everyone.

I have a cousin that thinks it has saved him from lots of pain, can't tell you anything about the valium, except I've heard it makes you sleepy

K thanks. I know I have a needle phobia and I have also asked that it be placed in my charts. Maybe that's why they are doing it. I am already worked up about this so I can imagine what I will be like when the day arrives. LOL!

TN
SCS Trials are very easy procedures. They are very similar to getting an epidural shot or injection.
The Valium is to make certain that you are relaxed during the procedure.
Some people are "jumpy" and it just delays the procedure. The Valium will allow you to relax, while at the same time get feedback from you to where you are feeling the stimulation.
If you would like to talk to a person that has gone through the procedure, go to Chronic Pain Management and Pain Relief | Advanced Neuromodulation Systems
Once there, you can look for a Patient Ambassador to communicate via email.

Good Luck,

Thank you very much. That makes me feel a bit better. I am always very nervous when it comes to these types of things. Mostly I think because I can't see what is going on, and I know they are "digging" around in my back and I like to see what's coming at me.

I am a RN in a 23 hour post op unit. We take care of the dorsal column stimulators all the time. We always keep them overnight. Mainly it is to allow for 3 doses of post-op IV antibiotics.

Physically, the patients do well. I think that they feel optimistic that this will help them. ( I have had 3 back surgeries, 2 fusions and am trying to decide about the DCS for myself so I know that when you have this done, you are usually at the end of your rope and willing to try anything to control the pain.)

One patient I know had bent down to tie his shoes a few weeks after having the permanent stim. placed and somehow the movement caused one of the electrodes to become displaced and he had to have the whole thing reinserted.

I hope that all goes well and that you have great relief from it. Ask all the questions that you can think of. It is your body and you are paying for the service.

The valium is to take the edge off pre-op. It is ok to take and should be taken. Esp. with your fear of needles. Good luck!!