Removal of Interstim

[Carolyn B]

Hi, I haven't posted in a long time. I had my interstim put in in April 2000 and had adjustments for three years. The stimulation kept going down my right leg and into my toes. They never could keep it adjusted. Something kept moving and I would have to go back to get another adjustment. It's a three hour ride one way to my uro. I finally just turned it off. It's been off for two years and I just left it alone because it wasn't working but it wasn't causing me pain either. Now I'm having a lot of back and leg pain and spasms at the unit site. My uro doesn't think the pain is caused by the unit but my GP says it's probably causing it because the unit flops and turns around in the pocket. He says it probably is irritating a nerve and constantly bruising the area. I so hoped that the interstim would work but it just wouldn't. I'm getting it out on August 2 and have a lot of questions about pain and recovery time and how it is not going to leave a hole in my butt cheek. Did anybody have problem having the wires removed? They have to take them out because they are going to do an MRI of my lower back after. I'm set up for PT after the surgery. He thinks it will take some time for the nerve to settle down and the healing to take place. Wish me luck and thanks for the support. Carolyn B

[ICNJess]

(((((Tons of support))))))

I am having mine removed after my pregnancy. Mine moves around freely in it's pocket since I lost weight and causes me a lot of pain, so I can relate. Good luck, and keep us posted.

Hugs,
Jess

[patricia1]

Hi my situation is a little different. I had a revision done of my interstim in May. I had a car accident in Nov 2003 that moved my leads. I was having major left toe curling and shocking when needing to have a BM movement. I had it removed from one area, the waist, into the butt area. Here is what I can say about my surgery:

Surgery Time: for me about 2 1/2 hrs. It was 1hr longer than what was thought because the damage was a little worse.

I do not have a hole in my waist from where the old unit was removed from. And I do not have an indidention there either. Although I had lost over 40 pounds since having the first one done and it stuck out of my waist.

Recovery Time: For me personally it was hard. Alot harder than what I was thinking it would be and alot harder than the first go around. I had alot of pain. I had 3 incision. One where the old unit was removed, 1 where the replaced and repaired the leads and 1 where the new unit went in. Dr said the pain I was having was because of the scar tissue I had. I had to call and get a script for a stonger pain meds. I was down for about a week and then took another 2 weeks taking it easy.

I know how hard it is to accept that the interstim is not doing what you thought it would. And it is hard not to blame yourself. But dont. There are many of us on here that have had problems with the Interstim. In fact I am not sure I am happy with the revision. I am still having to have adjustments done. And right now I have declared myself on a mini Interstim vacation. I am tired of dealing with it. The drs appts surgery and everything gets very tiring. I wish you luck in your removal. Let me know how it goes..

[emilyrose197377]

Good luck Carolyn sending you hugs and prayers.

Take Care
Kim

[ICNDonna]

I hope all goes well with your surgery and you have minimal after effects. Be sure to allow yourself time to heal.

Sending warm well wishes,
Donna

[dancemomof2]

Wishing you well and hope all turns out good for you. Keep us posted.

[Carolyn B]

HI, Thank you for the support and prays. I am nervous about the surgery but I need to get rid of this pain. I had very little pain when they put it in and hope it goes as well when they take it out. My doctor told me it would be outpatient surgery and would take about an hour. My biggest fear is that I get so sick from the anesthesia. Last time they pumped my stomach before surgery and that worked well. Good luck with your pregnancy Jess. I hope you have many pain free days and know you'll have a happy healthy baby. God bless and thank you everyone, Carolyn B