"VIGORIOUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY W/INTERSTIM"

[ROSA]

HI EVERYONE,

I have a question...how much vigorious activity is possible with the Interstim. Since, I am on active duty my doctor is under the impretion that I should be able to be fit for duty. In the military one is required to pass two fitness test per year. This is: 2 minutes push-up, 2 min sit-up and run one and a half miles in 15:54 minutes or less to get Good/LOW score which is the minimum for my age group (38 yrs.)

To score an outstanding on this test (which I now longer can do with IC/IBS/FIBROMYALGIA... is: 95 sit-ups & 43 push-ups in 2 min. and run the 1.5 miles in less than 10:51. <img src="graemlins/eek.gif" border="0" alt="[eek]" />

How much physical activity can you do without having problems? I guess this is and individual thing. I don't have much cushion in the rear and in the past I used to get blisters (bec. of rubbing on hard floors/no mats) while doing sit-ups.

[Teri]

For me, sit-ups and completely a no-no. It just can't happen! Can't help you out with the rest of the stuff cuz I have developed so many more problems lately that walking is a chore frown.gif

Wishing you the VERY BEST~

[Ruth N]

That many sit-ups would be painful given where the battery is implanted in the muscle between the buttocks and the waist.
Ruth

[chady]

You have to be careful about so many things with this interstim and especially that generator. No way sit ups with that....running yes probably after quite some time passed....I am like Teri and I am just thankful that I can now walk at all. Mine is now out due to injury and I still can't do situps....tried the other day and couldn't.
Good luck,
Chady

[yvette]

well, you are right its a very individual thing but after a few months of healing I was able to get back in the gym. I can't jog all that well because I an feel the Interstim *bouncing* up and down. But if I wear a really tight leotard or highwaisted bikini bottoms--it acts like a barrier, or a second-skin and keeping it snug and place under my skin.

I still do crunches, but not sit-ups. I do most of the weights and the only thing I don't do as often is the leg press because of the weight it pushes me deeper into the backrest...its a little too much pressure for me.

Take it easy wehn you're healing...stop at any discomfort. The saying "no pain, no gain" doesn't apply to the Interstim. wink.gif

[GabberQueen]

I know this post is really old but, i play roller derby it is one thing being a mother that i can enjoy for myself. Now, i'm looking at getting the interstim but i'm scared i will never be able to play again :( does anyone here do high impact sports with no problems?? please say yes!!!:headbang:

[kadi]

I don't have an interstim, but honestly, I would definitely NOT do roller derby with it. A bad fall & having the wires dislodge, the unit move or break, could result in another painful & expensive surgery.

A bigger question though: if you're well enough to do roller derby, I'm wondering why you're considering interstim? It's a pretty drastic treatment for IC and usually only done when the less invasive treatments have failed & quality of life is severely compromised.

[GabberQueen]

HI, the Interstim is not for IC pain, its' for frequency, Urge & retention. I have retention & frequency.

[GabberQueen]

I can still play roller derby but i'm sick to death of using a catheter and going to the toilet more than 40 times a day.... is that a good enough reason to get the Interstim???

[kadi]

Yeah, sounds like it! But, I still wouldn't subject a fragile electrical device implanted in the body to the risks of hard falls and knocks. I know that's not something you want to hear right now, and I understand that. We can have so many losses in our lives due to the IC sometimes that just the thought of one more loss is too many.

I'm just worried that if the wire gets out of place & you're electrically shocked where it's not intended for, you could be injured. There are patients with interstim who have had lifelong nerve damage due to interstim malfunction--so if your unit is damaged or the wires move for any reason (including the high impact you might sustain in your sport) you could be seriously hurt and maybe long term. And if your device is damaged or dislodged in roller derby, your doctor and the manufacturer will likely not consider that a device failure, but your responsibility and may or may not be very open to help you with fixing it.

I recognize that interstim has greatly helped many people so it can totally be worth having it implanted. I'm not against interstim per se. If you decide to have interstim done, please be honest with your doctor about what activities you plan to continue, so that he/she can advise you on whether this surgery will be safe for you to participate in those pastimes. Then you and your doctor can make an informed decision together.

[GabberQueen]

True treu that :( it's not what i wanted to hear "( it's the only thing i can enjoy for myself since becoming a mum,worknig full time & studying full time...... just this bathroom stuff is just getting worse and it's my last option but i love my Derby so so much :(

[ICNDonna]

Some people with interstims have had a problem after a fall --- I don't think roller derby would be safe with a unit implanted. Kadi is right --- there's just too much risk.

:(
Donna

[Madi's Granny]

I've had the interstim since 2007 and I was told at the time of implant that I would have to be careful with my activies. You can damage the implant or even more it if you fall. Taking any kind of hit it that area can cause damage to the unit. When they are damaged or moved they can quit working or not work right. You need to think about this and talk to your doctor about this activity before agreeing to the trial or permenent surgery.

[GabberQueen]

So not what i wanted to hear :(:headbang:

[momw/ic]

You might ask your doctor... I got my interstim in 2006 and just last week got a new one because the other one had died. My doc told me that the new ones they are putting under the muscle in the hip area to help prevent injuries from falls and to protect the device better. The old ones were just under skin in the fat layer. That might help you to have it under the muscle. I am not real physically active due to IC pain but I have taken some major falls and never messed up my device. In fact when they put the new one in they didn't even have to replace my leads because they were in the same place as before. Hope this helps!

[kadi]

Hi there,
That does seem like it might help with falls, but an individual falling by accident is different from deliberately putting oneself in a situation where repeated falls and slams against sides of a rink are likely. I still wouldn't recommend it because I can just imagine the arguments about replacement/repair from injury sustained in voluntary participation in a high impact sport. It's a set-up for doctors and the device company being reluctant to help in crisis. JMHO.

[ICNDonna]

I think this subject has been covered. The best advice I can think of is to [U]ask your doctor[U]. You may have to make a choice.

I will be closing this thread.

Donna