New Medtronics device - the Coddle (sp?)

[KathleenS]

Hi,

I have the InterStim and it has never helped me since I got the permanent implant (also had one revision). Anyway, I just started going to a new urologist who told me there is a new Medtronics device called the Coddle (I'm not sure about the spelling on this). This uro just came back from UCLA learning the procedure. He said I may be a good candidate. I can't find this on the web or Medtronics site. Has anyone heard of this?

Kathleen

[ICNJess]

Hi Kathleen,

I've never heard it but just wanted to say good luck, and if you do go for it, I truly hope it works for you! Let us know if you find out more, I'd really love to know more, as I have the InterStim as well.

Hugs,
Jess

[hglsbabe]

My urologist is Professor Shlomo Raz head of the Urology Dept of Female Urology at UCLA. He's one of the best urologist in the world! I have a device called the Synergy Ez like Jerry Lewis for the bladder pain implanted in me. Interstim does not work for pain. I'll try to find out what this new device is.

[Indy]

Dr. Raz is my doctor too and he has been pressuring me into getting the interstim which my research says isn't for pain.

He never mentioned this new device and I don't know why interstim is the only treatment he wants to talk about.

[liz25]

Indy
I have never heard of the medtronics device,but I got something done similar. It is research and not approved in the U.S. yet, but it may be something you should look into. I have other posts that explain it. It is a bion they implanted in me that is very small and is supposed to send the elctro stimulus to my bladder and help with the pain. Read my other posts and then let me know if you want to know more!


Liz :smile tee

[hglsbabe]

Indy

I'm sorry for saying that the Interstim device is not for pain. Everyone of us is different and so is our symptoms. What may not work for one person may work for someone else. I tried it and it didn't work for me. How do you know unless you try it. I look at it this way I have one of the best urologist in the world and I have access to all this amazing technology through the advances of medical science. I'm not about to turn my back on it and say no. Dr Raz is the nicest most generous caring person I have ever known as far as doctors go. I have been seeing him every 2-3 months for over 2 yrs now. He knows what he is talking about. He is part of the faculty that teaches other Drs how to use the Interstim device. He wants to help us. I trust him with my life. He's the best! He does not give up on his patients! If the device doesn't work out for you tell him. He will do anything he can to help you. The Interstim device didn't work for me. The new device still has yet to work. I have had adjustment after adjustment(I've lost count). He always says be patient, I have not given up on you. I love him. I'm lucky to have him as my doctor. He also told me that this neurostimulation is not an exact science and that there are hundreds if not thousands possible connections. Thats for my device. You are in the best hands. Please let me know how it goes. I'm going to see him next week.

[hglsbabe]

Indy

I'm sorry for saying that the Interstim device is not for pain. Everyone of us is different and so is our symptoms. What may not work for one person may work for someone else. I tried it and it didn't work for me. How do you know unless you try it. I look at it this way I have one of the best urologist in the world and I have access to all this amazing technology through the advances of medical science. I'm not about to turn my back on it and say no. Dr Raz is the nicest most generous caring person I have ever known as far as doctors go. I have been seeing him every 2-3 months for over 2 yrs now. He knows what he is talking about. He is part of the faculty that teaches other Drs how to use the Interstim device. He wants to help us. I trust him with my life. He's the best! He does not give up on his patients! If the device doesn't work out for you tell him. He will do anything he can to help you. The Interstim device didn't work for me. The new device still has yet to work. I have had adjustment after adjustment(I've lost count). He always says be patient, I have not given up on you. I love him. I'm lucky to have him as my doctor. He also told me that this neurostimulation is not an exact science and that there are hundreds if not thousands possible connections. Thats for my device. You are in the best hands. Please let me know how it goes. I'm going to see him next week.

[DebbieB]

Hi Everyone,
I am also interesting in known what this new Medtonics device is as well.

I have had the InterStim Implant now over five years....
I have had no "pain" since having the InterStim Implant put in..
In saying this I was told right up front it was not for pain and as hglsbabe said it works difference on every one, if may help one and not the other..
It is not by no means a over night fix if you think that you get it done and you are well....no way it took me up to eight months before any change..
I only had about five adjustment in the five years and for the last three no new adjustments..
I think the main thing is having a well experience doctor doing this procedure and also it would be of help to if you could talk to some of his patients..
This was my very last resort after years of doing all kinds of meds and treatments that I decide to do it.
I told myself what did I have to lose if I did not try it and I am so happy now that I did..
I am back to living a pretty normal life and back working..

Indy by no means should you be pressure in doing this procedure you are the only one that can make this decision..

Debbie

[KathleenS]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your posts. I see my uro next week, so I will find out more about the new Medtronics advice and post here. He did tell me that it works on all 4 sacral nerves, unlike the InterStim that only works on sacral nerve 3. That is why he thinks it has a better chance of helping patients.

Kathleen

[hglsbabe]

I went to see Dr Raz and asked about it. I was the first person to have it done. The coddle refers to the part of the spine. The device is not the Interstim its Itrel 3 Synergy EZ. It has two lead wires versus one. I am a part of a research study being done on it.

[Dixiefireball]

Good Luck please let us know how it goes.
Thanks for letting us know

[KathleenS]

Thanks, hglsbabe, for the info. I have been to my uro, but really didn't get much new info. My uro did tell me that the surgery/recovery will be more difficult than the InterStim. Was that the case for you? Any other info you can provide would be great. I hope you are finding relief! Please do let us know if it helps you!

Thanks again,
Kathleen

[dancemomof2]

i would love more info on this device, my uro didn't know much about it but assures me Interstim is the only option left for me. I would really like to read more on this new device before I make a decision. My main cincern with the Interstim is the cost, from what i gather this thing is really exspensive and would be like another house payment to us.

[hglsbabe]

Kathleen,

Let me first say that I wish I had gone to UCLA right away. But when your miserable often you don't see things clearly nor do you think logically. I came to see Dr Raz after seeing five other urologists. I have only experienced the following symptoms of IC; pressure bladder pain and frequency. During my childhood I had UTI all the time. When I was 4 or 5 I had a urethral dilation. Around grade school my UTI's stopped. Prior to these symptoms I only urinated at most twice a day. I did my first test period with the Interstim about two years ago. It went for several months. The only positive thing about it was my frequency lessened. After removing it he referred to a pain specialist who was supposed to help me. He turned out to be a greedy *******. He was a DR for the money not to help me. So I went back to Dr Raz in the beginning of 2003. He referred me to another pain specialist for another Medtronic's device. It didn't work,so back to Dr RAz. He really wanted to help me. We became very close. He told me and my husband about a technique he was thinking about doing for me that would involve special ordering lead wires so I would have two with eight connections for more stimulation. So my implantation was in June. Since the device is in my left buttock it makes it difficult to sit for more than a few mins . The healing time for me was about a year. The healing time for the incision was a couple months. But the healing time inside is longer. It's been an adjustment. I have to carry one of those round donut cushions with me where ever I go. It hasn't taken the pain away yet. But I am not giving up since there are thousands if not more combinations of adjustsments. I consider myself very lucky. I know this is not an exact science. So I stay patient. I just keep reminding myself how lucky I am. My insurance paid for it. The cost for just the device without the programmer is $37,000. I'll let you know of my progress.

[kelly McC]

ok I hope this is not adumb question. In reading these posts it says this devise is not for pain. What does it do or whats it for then ?Is it for IC or bladder problems ? or neither? Just curious.. I am going to do some searching and see what I can find.
Kelly

[dyno]

Kelly,
If you are referring to the Interstim, it was approved by the FDA for frequency. As has been stated before, some do get the added benefit of pain relief, but that is not the reason to get the Interstim implanted.

There are no dumb questions, don't ever feel bad for asking.

[kelly McC]

Thanks I was so confused. Yes I was referring to the interstim. I just read what I could find on it.
Thanks ,
Kelly

[hglsbabe]

I wanted to make a correction about the device I have. It's called Synergy Versitrel. It's actually a neurostimulator for pain. It's part of the pain section of Medtronic. My biggest problem is pain and hopefully this will help.