momw/ic
07-28-2006, 04:24 PM
I am having my first IC flare up since I got the interstim in March. Since my implant surgery I have seen the doctor at all and incidentally about the same time I lost my uro - long story. The doc who did the interstim is a uro/gyn. So, now I am wondering when you have a flare up do you have the interstim reprogrammed or go for the bladder washes and flare up meds first? I called the office and went in about a week ago and they reprogrammed me. Actually they found that one of my leads had moved and was messed up so they turned that one off and programmed two others. So, I am still flaring so I called them and asked if I need to be reprogrammed again or get an instill or what. They kind of act like reprogramming is the only option. They of course can't get me in until late next week so I asked if I could get in with the nurse for an instill in the mean time. So, they did that yesterday. I actually feel much better today so maybe that is all I needed to jump start things. In the mean time when I told my pain doc about my flare up he said I should not have to wait at all to be reprogrammed. He said that I should be able to call my medtronic rep and get with them the next day at the latest. He said in his office that is how they do it for the stimulators in people with back pain. So, I called my medtronic rep and she said that is true and to call her anytime except this week she is on vacation and she can't help me until next week. GRRRRRR....Anyway now the docs office acts a little put out that I had called her because the reprogramming is done by one of the nurse practitioners in the office there. So, as you can tell I am not sure what happens next and what to do next. How do you all with the interstims handle your flare ups?