Neuro Stim System off ear / First look at incision (pictures included - you've been warned)

Today I removed the Neuro Stim System (NSS) from my ear.  If you read my previous blog post  you already know that I think it's a fascinating device.  When they placed it on my ear they told me to leave it on for 3-5 days.  All of the research I found said it worked up to 5 days... but I found one article that said it was being used for people with chronic pain and was changed every 7 days.  So, I decided to give it an extra day, just in case it was still working.  I definitely know that it worked for several days and will be requesting it for any future surgery.  Almost anything that takes away pain with the use of less narcotics is a great thing.

Here's a look at the device still on my ear:

It was definitely interesting being there.  I couldn't lay on that ear when sleeping or use that ear when talking on the phone, and I had to be careful doing things like brushing my hair.  But it was worth any adjustments I had to make for the pain relief it provided.  

Here's a look when I first started removing it - notice the tiny probe that was inserted into to my ear:

There were actually 4 electrodes attached to my ear, 3 on the front and 1 that was a different color on the back.  I assume the one in the back was a ground wire.

All of the electrodes had 1 tiny prong on them except 1 of them - that one had 4 little prongs:

The best part about removing the device was being able to wash my hair!!  

Dry shampoo can only do so much for so long.  😆

After surgery they told me to leave the bandage on for a week.  During the last surgery the bandage came off within a matter of days, but this time it was hanging on, and itching me like crazy.  So I decided 6 days was long enough and removed the bandage before my shower.  Thankfully the incision looks pretty good right now.  I'm really hoping it heals better than last time.  🤞 

It's pretty puffy around it, but that's to be expected.  And theres a pretty good bruise on the right side showing up too.

There are 12 staples total (there were 10 after the last surgery).  The top one has 2 in it - not sure what the deal is there.  Maybe a misfire?  Several of them are already trying to back out some too - especially those two on top.  Guess they don't want to be stuck in me.  Wonder if they will stay in until my post-op appointment.  🤔  You can really see how far out they are in this side view:

I'm scheduled to have the staples removed on the 19th.  with all the issues I had with the wound during the last surgery I'm going to be a little anxious until the staples come out and this wound heals.  And also until lots of time passes.  So far I think I'm doing pretty good.  It seems like the problem has been fixed so far... time will tell. 

Take a look at this!! NSS - Neuro Stim System

Take a look at this!! 👀

This is one of the strangest, and most fascinating, devices. It’s called a NSS (Neuro-Stim System). It attaches to the peripheral nerves by the three electrodes and is an alternative to narcotics for pain relief. It supposedly provides at least 25% pain relief.... and possibly more depending on the person. It’s a fairly new concept with the purpose of keeping patients from taking too many narcotics for pain relief after surgery. The idea is that it stops pain receptors from reaching your brain, therefore you feel less pain and take fewer pain pills. I hate taking narcotics so I was willing to give it a try.

When they first attached it I felt the pulsing. It stopped later in the day and started again and then stopped again last night. I haven’t felt the pulsing at all since last night and was concerned it had stopped working. I called the surgery center and they contacted the company rep who called me within minutes. Turns out it is still working. She told me that typically people stop feeling it after about three cycles because your brain just accepts it. Fascinating.

And I’m pretty sure it’s working on my pain level too. They made no guarantees on how much pain it would relieve, but I had a major back surgery yesterday and have only taken four pain pills since the surgery! I think it’s definitely cut down on my pain level. I will wear it for five days and the cycle will be done. AND I remove it myself. It’s only in place with tiny little probes so it should come off easily. Again... what a fascinating device. 🙂