Exact interstim lead placement

[PurpleKitty]

I'm really, really late in asking this question, but where exactly is the lead placement for interstim? The reason I ask is that my Dr. and rep informed me that it was NOT attached to the spinal cord or nerves in any way so it did not hold the risks of spinal cord stimulators. After reading many of your posts about removal and nerve damage and scar tissue I'm concerned. I'm scheduled to have mine removed next month and want the whole thing, leads and all removed. It's been in one year and now I understand that the leads may not be able to be removed because the "tines" on the leads "grow" into the tissue holding them in place. I guess it can be very tricky removing them and can cause damage. So again I ask where exactly are the leads attached? Is it to the Sacral nerves, S3, I think or does it go into the muscle? If there is damage caused when it is removed, what is damaged? The nerve that controls bladder and bowel function? The surrounding muscles or what?

I wish I'd have known more about this prior to having it placed :confused:

[Marcie920]

The leads are attached to your sacral nerves in S3.

[patricia1]

Sacral nerve. When I had my revision done last year they removed the old unit and the old leads. My surgery took a little longer due to the old leads and the way they were attached it took longer for them to remove them. I actually had more pain in that area than anywhere else. Mine had been in for over 3 yrs when I had the revision done. Hopefully they can remove them for you.

[ktrncl]

I had a revision done 2 months ago and they were able to replace a lead but, for me I have a pinched nerve that is affecting my leg severely so I to am having it removed Tuesday I dont think I will regret it. But, I wish I would have been more informed about this thing. But, my doctor says if it clears my leg pain then I will be the one who will be a witness to others that this does cause leg pain due to a pinched nerve caused by the battery box it self. He would inform his patients.

[PurpleKitty]

Please let me know if this solves your leg pain as I too have had leg/ sciatic pain since I had the implant. That is the total reason I'm having it removed, it hurts all the time. I have told the Dr several times that it feels like it is pressing on the nerve but he says it's impossible for the battery to do that. I've had several steroid injections aroung the battery that have helped for a short time, but the pain always comes back. I guess that is why I'm concerned with the removal, is the pain permanent now because the nerve has been irritated and pressed on for a year or will it heal itself?

Keep us posted

[tigger_gal]

Has any one considered that you may have sacralittis? this causes leg pain and shooting pains. I know this because I have it and it was pre-interstim..
Its just a thought.. I am not saying that the stim didn't cause you your pain..

The leads are place along side the spine and nerve. They are not attached on them or in them they have little anchors ->->-> like this, so they do not move.. (but it is possible) if not done securely, or in the event of a fall or car accident. If you are having pain then you should have it completely removed even the wires.
good luck, and keep us posted how you are... I hope you have a speedy recovery.

[PurpleKitty]

It's funny that you mention a fall, I've had 2 pretty serious falls since it was implanted. One directly on my tailbone and the other tripping forward and landing on my arm and knee. Both times I was sent to my chiroprator for severe back/pelvis pain but no one took x-rays to check the leads. My pain Dr. eventually injected my sciatic nevre with a block, but still no x-rays. My rep said the leads couldn't have moved because when he checks with his "magic machine" it shows good conduction. I'm sure a good portio of my tailbone and leg pain are related to my lupus and the problems it presents. I just know that until I had the interstim put in I never had pain everytime my buttock was touched, bumped or I sat or layed down. I know without doubt that the battery is at the very least causing that pain. I also know that my surgeon has told me on several occasions that I have really severe muscle spasms in my pelvic region and tailbone and need a special physical therapist to do "internal" p.t. My insurance refuses to cover the only p.t. in our area that does that type of treatment. My Dr. wants me to drive 1 1/2 hrs to see his therapist 4 times a week at my cost for 4 months to see if it helps. The problem is, one I can't drive that far myself and it's impossible to find someone who can take me almost everyday and two, I can't afford $450.00 a week for this treatment. As I'm sure you've experienced, we've already paid for so many things, Botox times 3, bio-feedback, blocks etc. I've put my entire family in a heap of debt because of all this.

[patricia1]

Just a thought not every x-ray will so lead movement. I had 2 rear-end car wrecks in the same day. Then started having InterStim problems, the x-ray done did not so much movement (if any) and when they go in there to do surgery it was worse than what they thought. So it is possible to have movement in the leads that wont show up on x-ray's

[dancemomof2]

The leads lay along the nerve not attached into the nerve. Good luck hope you get the answers your looking for.

[Marcie920]

hmm interesting dance. My urolgist and medtronics rep told me it is placed the leads are placed in the sacral nerve in s3.

[dancemomof2]

You better check again Marcry because they are placed along the nerve. I have the placement info If I can find it I will pm it to you.