Inerstem Implant

[maggie9118]

I am new to this group. I'm sure this has been discussed before. I have had the interstem implant procedure done. It has been over a year, and my implant has been reprogrammed numerous times with no effects. My question how many out there have had the implant and what is the success rate?
My pain is still there, I have flares, I'm up between 8 and 15 times per night voiding. I'm at the point, that my next vist to my uro, I'm asking him remove the implant.
Help looking for info.

[ICNDonna]

I don't have an interstim, but will move your post to that board so you're more apt to get some answers.

Donna

[tigger_gal]

I have had my interstim since 4/03 and haven't had any problems, except when the magnets were on and had to keep getting reprogramed because of store security thingys :loco: , they shut the magnets off, reprogramed me, put me on a cycling on 30 secs and off 10. I haven't been reprogramed, or had any problems with my stim in over a year :woohoo:
That could be your problem, its worth a try before you go in and have it removed. If it still don't work out for you, there is no since in having it.
I still have pain, and flores, the interstim is not designed to help that :( .
make an appt and tell the doc to turn off the magnets and try the cycling, if that don't help then I would have it removed.. good luck :)

[patricia1]

Hi Maggie!!! I am sorry that you are not having a good experience with your Interstim. I got my first one in Sept 2001 and had a revision done in May 2005. I choose to get a revision due to a car accident I had. It moved the wires and I was having problems with the Interstim. I had major left foot toe curling and shocking to the point I could not move my left leg until I turn the unit off. I opted for a revision wanting to do the less invasive procedure possible. But the 2nd surgery was 10x worse than the first. I was in surgery an hour longer than expected due to some complications. I am still not having sucess with my new one. Out of 4 leads only 2 work right. The 2 deepest ones. So I am not what I consider a success with mine. Since getting mine in 2001 I have had maybe 6 months of releif from it, and for me personnally, what I went through for the revision and finding another doc to do it, it has not been worth it to me. The orginal doc who did mine would not help when I starting experiencing problems. I believe this was due to the fact I had no health insurance at the time.

That being said there are some on here that have had great success with theirs. And I am so happy for them cause they deserve it. And I am sure they will come along, Tigger Gal is one and Stasny is another. ;)

There could be several reason's why the reprogramming is not working. Any slightlest movement of the leads can cause the unit not to work right. Even falling could cause this. For me it was the 2 rear end car wrecks in one day. Also like Tigger said store's anti-theft systems can cause the unit to turn off when its on and reverse. Also flareups still happen with the Interstim and the Interstim does not cure the bladder. Have you tried shutting the unit off yourself for a couple of hours then turning it back on? Also has the doctor done any types of x-rays to make sure the wires are still in there proper place? And for some people it can take numerous re-programmings to get it in the right settings.

Talk to your uro. If you choose to remove make sure he will and do want you want to. If you feel it is not helping you, get it removed. Remember we will be here for you no matter what you choose

[ICNJess]

I've had my stim since 9/03 and for awhile it was smooth sailing, and then it turned into nothing but trouble. My situation is somewhat unique. My problems began when I lost weight, and it cannot be corrected. But just wanted to say (((hugs))) and that you aren't alone.

Hugs,
Jess

[ibtracy]

I'm sorry to hear that your Interstim is not working out very well. I am one of the ones that had trouble with mine. I had a car accident that knocked mine out of the pocket and then it moved all around my back and ended up causing a huge infection across my back. It was not a fun time at all. I have some nerve damage in my pocket that causes pain and my uro told me that the pain in my hips/legs in the morning "COULD" be a result of going through nerves during the Implant surgery. My pain somedays is so bad that I can't walk down the hall. I was scrambling to find answers and then my uro basically blurted it out during my appointment last week. He's the one that installed the trial and the actual implant.

I sure hope you get to the bottom of things and things work out for you. I chose to have mine removed. It did help with my frequency/urgency but I started hearing alot of horror stories and then opted to have it removed because when the implant came out of its pocket it was causing a great deal of pain in the pocket and my lower back and my pocket was full of fluid and I had to have a shunt put in for a couple weeks to drain all the fluid in there.

Just a tip, if you're not getting the attention you feel you need, call the Medtronic customer service and they'll help you and make things happen a little faster if you're experiencing complications. That's what we had to do and they were so kind and helpful.

Good Luck ;)
Tracy K.

[Maribeth-rn]

I had the interstim implant in March. I have also had numerous reprograms. I just feel like it does what I believed it would. It does help my frequency to a point, but I still have to go a lot. My doctor has tried several Tricyclic antidepressants to aid in my having to void at night. It also does nothing for pain. I feel that I expected a lot more than the Interstim has given. Good luck.

Beth

[tigger_gal]

I had to have my magnets turned off and be put on a cycling. that may or may not help. I also turn my interstim up to where I feel it and then down a click at a time till I do not feel it. It has helped my frequency and greatly for the urgency (I have a 200cc bladder, so you will have to go when its full and it don't take long) I still have pain, and probably always will.Interstim wasn't designed to help with pain, I have only heard of 1 person ever on here that got pain relief.
Keep us posted on what you are going to do, we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.