Urgent PC has changed my life!

[kepage5]

I have been doing Urgent PC for about eight weeks now and it has changed my life! It helps tremendously with urgency and frequency, and there are no side effects at all. It is just a tiny needle inserted into the ankle and connected to a little machine that sends a shockwave through your body for thirty minutes once a week. It is not really a painful sensation, it is just odd. If you are suffering like I have, please talk to your doctor about this. For me a big part of the relief is my anxiety, anytime I get in the car or go to school, work, etc I get so nervous. Urgent PC has helped me do normal activities everyday without constantly thinking about getting to the restroom.
Everyone deserves to feel better, I just wanted to share my awesome outcome so far with this. :smile tee

[minniesmom]

I go for it on August 1. I was really worried. Thanks for your post. I hope it helps me to.

[kmcgeed]

Hi,
I am brand new to this group..My main problem is urgency, frequency and heavy urethral, bladder (feeling of always having a full bladder...I will be seeing my doctor this week on a follow-up visit to my hydrodistension surgery..which unfortunately diagnosed I/C..(we had all thought it was mostly muscular (Pelvic FLoor Dsysfuntion and IBS)...I've had my symptoms for a year so I don't know what "flare" is ...My symptoms are always there and have not been relieved by anything yet (and I've trieed diet modification, Elmiron and many other drugs, interstim, bladder installations and physical therapy with biofeedback..
The physical therapy (myofascial release and various other things helps while I'm there) but the symptoms are back as soon as I walk out the door!
Anyway I have a good doctor now (I've gone through several!) I seeing Dr. Robert Moldwin...He is an IC "guru" so I assume he will know about Urgent PC...
Does this help alot of people?
Thanks very much and glad you are feeling better!
Kathy

[verdicries]

does 'urgent pc' go by any other names? i think my doc had mentioned it but i think she said she doesn't have the machine in her office yet, she's trying to get one.

she suggested acupunture but i'd like to try this first...just wish she'd get the machine already...

[kari1980]

What is Urgent PC? I'm glad it's working so well for you.

Kari

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For those of you who already have Urgent PC who are your doctors. How long does the process take to get started with the treatment. (i.e. number of pre-visits before being able to use the machine and take it home, does insurance approval take a long time, how much does it cost, did your insurance cover the expense?)

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[GoldSeals]

I have been doing Urgent PC for about eight weeks now and it has changed my life! It helps tremendously with urgency and frequency, and there are no side effects at all. It is just a tiny needle inserted into the ankle and connected to a little machine that sends a shockwave through your body for thirty minutes once a week. It is not really a painful sensation, it is just odd. If you are suffering like I have, please talk to your doctor about this. For me a big part of the relief is my anxiety, anytime I get in the car or go to school, work, etc I get so nervous. Urgent PC has helped me do normal activities everyday without constantly thinking about getting to the restroom.
Everyone deserves to feel better, I just wanted to share my awesome outcome so far with this. :smile tee

Hmm.This seems like the same device my urologist is getting in a couple of months.I dont know if I can do it for 30 minutes though.
I replied to this in another thread about that device.Thanks for posting this info.
GoldSeals:)

[Vampireness]

What is urgent PC?

[GoldSeals]

What is urgent PC?


Urgent PC makes a tens unit that stimulates the sacral nerve through the tibual
nerve in the ankle.Im trying to get this procedure done.My doctor only does it in his other office which is to far for me to travel.He promised he would do it in his primary office last week but he claims he doesnt have enough patients to do it in both offices.Im working on possibly purchasing the unit myself and doing the procedure myself.The unit costs around $2000.I dont like to depend on other people to get something done.Ive always been self sufficent all my life.
Do a quick search for this tens device on google.You will find the info.
Regards,GoldSeals

[Vampireness]

Thank you for explaining Goldenseals. That is really costly, I didn't know the device is that expensive, I though it's a portable device to put it around your waist, the TENS unit....
But, to buy something so expensive without knowing if it will help, doesn't it seem like a huge leap?

"I dont like to depend on other people to get something done.Ive always been self sufficent all my life."

I know what you mean, especially when illness is involved, I want to be able to get treatment and don't depend on someone and if they give up, I end up back to square one.

It sounds like Acupuncture somewhat, the procedure.

Vampireness

[Sally939]

Has anyone else had success? What about anyone that has had a bad experience? It sound really exciting I am going to ask my doc if they have one.

[GoldSeals]

I was told the electrode is around $60 to replace it.Apparentaly a new electrode is used on each person.I would imagine you could use it over again if you were the only one using it.Like I said the unit itself was around $2000 according to my physcian.
The doctor told me that insurance covers the procedure.To me it maybe cheaper to just buy the unit.If you go to the doctor like say 12 times and then a few more times later on the thing would pay for itself.I have a $20 copayment each trip to the specialist which is going up to $35 october 1st.Lets see $35 x 12 visits =$420.Maybe another 12 visits later on.To me it would be worth it providing it gives relief.Not to mention the wasted time driving to the doctor.I would like to try it first like you said.
Regards,GoldSeals

[Vampireness]

GoldenSeals: I agree that after trying it out, investing in the product itself would be a better option than making trips down.

TENS unit that expensive...hmm I saw ones below hundred....maybe it's different. But, not sure about electrode you mentioned. I'm going to look up this equipment.

I see that in your signature you've sent samples to Dr.Fugazotto, what was the outcome?

Vampireness

[GoldSeals]

GoldenSeals: I agree that after trying it out, investing in the product itself would be a better option than making trips down.

TENS unit that expensive...hmm I saw ones below hundred....maybe it's different. But, not sure about electrode you mentioned. I'm going to look up this equipment.

I see that in your signature you've sent samples to Dr.Fugazotto, what was the outcome?

Vampireness
Dr Fugazotto said I needed to take ampicillan for a year or two.He said there was e coli in the urine.I only took it for about 2 or 3 months.My Urologist refused to issue a prescription for anything longer.It was not succesfull.That was at least 9 or 10 years ago maybe longer

[Tip and IBS]

I went to their website,they mention it can help PFD.

What about pelvic pain?It is almost the same as urgency rigth?

[minniesmom]

I have had IC for about 30 yrs now. I have had 8 treatments with the Urgent PC and it has had no effect at all. If you are planning on buying the unit I would see if it works first as there is no use spending $2000 on something that isn't going to work. I am told the success rate is between 60-80%. I have my fingers crossed that it will work yet. Glad it works for some.
You would have to buy new needles everytime you use it. But that would be cheaper than if you had to pay for a drs visit each time.
I'm just frustrated that nothing seems to be working.

[Vampireness]

Dr Fugazotto said I needed to take ampicillan for a year or two.He said there was e coli in the urine.I only took it for about 2 or 3 months.My Urologist refused to issue a prescription for anything longer.It was not succesfull.That was at least 9 or 10 years ago maybe longer

So they did find bacteria in your bladder, if the infection wasn't treated for long enough, could it have been accumalating? E.Coli doubles the colony, either every twenty minutes or twenty seconds.

Possibly even create biofilms, since you've gone long without treatment, for an infection?

Wow, that's pretty long.....Do you think you would try the test again, and your current doctor prescribe something according to the results.

If your problem is bacterial, I doubt the device would help you completely. I've had soooo many bacteria that showed up over this one year period, and I've had this for 5 years, so can you imagine what you have? That's just my thought, to an untreated infection.

Vampireness

[Vampireness]

I'm sorry you've been suffering with this for 30 years, that's horrible.

What treatments have you tried? When did you try Urgent PC and for how long?

Vampireness


I have had IC for about 30 yrs now. I have had 8 treatments with the Urgent PC and it has had no effect at all. If you are planning on buying the unit I would see if it works first as there is no use spending $2000 on something that isn't going to work. I am told the success rate is between 60-80%. I have my fingers crossed that it will work yet. Glad it works for some.
You would have to buy new needles everytime you use it. But that would be cheaper than if you had to pay for a drs visit each time.
I'm just frustrated that nothing seems to be working.

[ICNDonna]

For Tip: Urgency can be severe enough to be pelvic pain, but pelvic pain is not necessarily urgency. I can have severe IC pain without urgency. And I can have frequency without urgency, i.e., I feel like I need to urinate, but don't necessarily feel like I have to rush to the bathroom.

Donna

[minniesmom]

Hi Vampireness
I'm still doing the Urgent PC treatments. I've had 9 now. It seems like that is the last thing the Dr can try and now he has agreed to fill out disability forms for me.
What I've tried:
Elmiron
Ativan Baking Soda sitz baths
Celebrex Kegel exercises
Naproxen percocet
Bladder Installations morphine
Bladder Hydrodestentions Cesamet
I'm sure there's a few other things I've tried over the years but I can't remember.
I'm so tired, depressed and just generally fed up.
feel free to pm me at thisis_crazy2@yahoo.com if you'd like.
Kathy

[Vampireness]

I'm sorry that nothing has worked for you so far. It must be horrible, for this long, I know some whose just started it two weeks and can't stand it at all. Don't blame you at all for feeling this way. I hope the disability gets approved, you get money don't you? You can still continue to seek treatment and that cash would be useful.

There are a couple of other things you can still try, I'll PM you with that. Information is being thrown at me, from every direction lol, so I'll pass around, it could benefit someone or possibly peak someones interest as a treatment approach.

Vampireness

[GoldSeals]

I have had IC for about 30 yrs now. I have had 8 treatments with the Urgent PC and it has had no effect at all. If you are planning on buying the unit I would see if it works first as there is no use spending $2000 on something that isn't going to work. I am told the success rate is between 60-80%. I have my fingers crossed that it will work yet. Glad it works for some.
You would have to buy new needles everytime you use it. But that would be cheaper than if you had to pay for a drs visit each time.
I'm just frustrated that nothing seems to be working.

Hi im sorry to hear youve been suffering so long.
Are they doing the procedure properly?I understand your big toe has to curl when theyve found the tibiual nerve.Theres always the sacral nerve implant you could try.
Regards,GoldSeals

[minniesmom]

Hi
Thnx. I'm sure the nurse is doing it right. I do see my toes curl and the machine can't go much higher. It only goes to 19 and we usually set it at 16. The representative from the company is usually there too so I feel confident about that. I just don't feel great that it isn't working. I'm very depressed about it all. This was supposed to be my last hope, before an illeostomy (which my mom has).
I'm trying to keep my spirits up, but it's hard today.

[Vampireness]

What is Illeostomy?

Just send ya an email, Minniesmom

Vampireness

[GoldSeals]

So they did find bacteria in your bladder, if the infection wasn't treated for long enough, could it have been accumalating? E.Coli doubles the colony, either every twenty minutes or twenty seconds.


No the urologist did not find bacteria in my urine culture,But Fugguzatto said he did


GoldSeals

[Dianne]

Isn't this just the same thing as the SANS unit that has been around for many years? I've been doing my own at home for about 10 years. In the earlier years it was my best pain control but kind of wore off over the years. I can still get a little results enough that I keep doing it but it's a 1 1/2 inch needle and it's not for the faint of heart for sure. If I miss the spot and hit other nerves, it's very painful too. My acupuncturist finally helped by giving me a better way to locate the right spot and it's been going way better. But in the early years it really helped with pain control which supercedes frequency. I don't have urgency.

[Vampireness]

No the urologist did not find bacteria in my urine culture,But Fugguzatto said he did


GoldSeals

Do you not believe in the broth culture? Quite alots of my results came back negative and some were positive. It didn't show positive, till the infection got really bad and they dismissed <100,000CFU/ml results and told me I had none. I'm doing alot better than before, that's for sure. I'm getting my cultures done at United now, I want them to be accurate, no point in paying for cheap test and 3 days later they tell you that you don't have an infection and you wait around with terrible kidney pain and swallon bladder and maybe a week or two, you test, it'll come back positive and sometimes still negative up till you give up on the results and wait it out, thinking it's a "flare". Finally after one month or two, it comes back positive....

Vampireness

[Vampireness]

Isn't this just the same thing as the SANS unit that has been around for many years? I've been doing my own at home for about 10 years. In the earlier years it was my best pain control but kind of wore off over the years. I can still get a little results enough that I keep doing it but it's a 1 1/2 inch needle and it's not for the faint of heart for sure. If I miss the spot and hit other nerves, it's very painful too. My acupuncturist finally helped by giving me a better way to locate the right spot and it's been going way better. But in the early years it really helped with pain control which supercedes frequency. I don't have urgency.

Wow, 1 1/2 inch needle.... What does SANS stand for, I've heard of TENS before.

Vampireness

[jen74]

Hi Vampireness.
I was just wondering, when you do a urine culture, do you have to send it out, like through the mail? I was thinking about doint the broth culture, but after talking to my urogyne and a few other women I know who have IC, they said it seems fishy to send your urine out over tha mail, where it sits around for that long, bacteria can grow.
I wish there was a lab right here where I had access to, where they could do a broth culture. I had a 18 day culture done to check for Ureaplasmas and such, and it was negative, but they used a agar plate I believe. I am not sure what that means though. Maybe they did not do it correctly.
I am very skeptical of all things lately. I mean I dont jump right away when I go to see a doctor who thinks he/she has the answers. I have been there done that, and spent a ton of $$$$ or should I say wasted a bunch of $$$. I called Ruth Kritz and talked to her about the broth culture, but she wants $250 just for an over the phone counseltation. That is outrageous, so I am waiting on that and seeing if I can find a lab closer to home that will do this broth culture.
How much did you pay for your culture? Did they send you the reports and how much bateria count they found?
Jen

[Vampireness]

Hey Jen

I sent you a PM sometime ago, replying the above, I guess it didn't get to you or something.

Okay, yeah, one of my Urologist also told me about that. But, see there are people who sent to United to get tested and it came back with no bacteria, so it doesn't always grow bacteria. One time, my result came back negative too. Also, when a local lab checked for infection and it showed Klebsiella and then I sent my sample to United and it showed the same result and Group B Strep, so yeah I trust the results. If you want to avoid contamination and doctor's doubts on treatment, get him/her to use a catherer to collect the urine sample directly from your bladder. I have faith in United and how they find bacteria, that other labs missed.

Yeah, you send it out by mail, through FedEx, overnight so ya know asap. You can use icepak if you want, because it's hot in US right now.

I had a 18 day culture done to check for Ureaplasmas and such, and it was negative, but they used a agar plate I believe.

United uses agar plates that for Urine Culture and it also uses broth culture, which is a different medium, that bacteria grows in. The agar plate doesn't pick it up. Also, I've seen people test for Ureaplasmas, with PCR testing, something more advanced, I believe.

I am very skeptical of all things lately. I mean I dont jump right away when I go to see a doctor who thinks he/she has the answers. I have been there done that, and spent a ton of $$$$ or should I say wasted a bunch of $$$.

Yeah, alots of claims and alots of money involved, being skeptical is part of the "game". I have wasted money in doctors over here in Singapore, with all the test and stuff they did and found nothing and just going from one doctor to another and then doing the test and several urine cultures, that came back negative most of the time. Now, that's a waste of money. Improper testing. It's cheaper but not accurate....and doesn't point out your problem.

I called Ruth Kritz and talked to her about the broth culture, but she wants $250 just for an over the phone counseltation. That is outrageous, so I am waiting on that and seeing if I can find a lab closer to home that will do this broth culture.

I think, you should ahead with this test and when you get your results faxed to you, you can then decide what to do. Like, you can take the results and go to a doctor who you think believes in the results and will help you prescribe antibiotics etc. Ruth is not ridiculously priced though, though it may appear that way, but actually, she's been VERY kind with me, I haven't had money to pay her for the most part and she's been treating me for a whole year. Also, it's like this, you pay her for the first consultation and she has a consultation with you and gives you her recommendations and she doesn't rush you through the phone either, and when you have other questions you want to ask her, she doesn't charge it unless it's a really long chat, but most of the time, it's like you get new results and you change the antibiotic etc.

She really does it out of good will, trust me. I'm broke as hell and she let's me pay her slowly and hasn't ditched me like many doctors have and let me go back to the state I was in before (I'll just come down with another infection again...you know all the kidney pain and 5 minutes frequency etc) It's not like you don't pay her and she stops your treatment! I'm really thankful to her!I just feel guilty of not being able to give her money sooner and more than she charges, otherwise, I would still be going from doctor to doctor, beggin them to take me seriously and treat me according to broth results.

How much did you pay for your culture? Did they send you the reports and how much bateria count they found?

I paid US$129 for the culture and FedEx charges, ya know to ship it. It's like US$30 for me to ship it to the lab, but it could be different for you, since you're in the USA (call FedEx and check rates). You can ask them mail you (takes forever for me), or fax you (I don't have a fax machine) or fax it to your doctor (they send it to Ruth or Martha).

I have them send it to Martha, because she lets me know quickly, if I have an infection or not, because I'm usually so anxious or in pain and I want some treatment and Ruth is busy, and when Ruth gets it she will fax it to me, and I'll see if I can get short course of antibiotics from doctors here. I still have that fear that the test won't show an infection, when I know I have one, I guess it's all the old fear that I have when I'm tested here, and the negative results from cultures, so I get scared they might not find it in United, but they haven't failed me.

Send me your email addy by PM, please, so I can send ya more information on how to send your urine over. And, if you check out Martha's post on explaination, on broth and agar cultures, you'd see why it's so beneficial and why it differs.

Vampireness

[marysxx]

Thankyou goldenseal for explaning what pc is. Can a dr. do this in their office? (uro) Or maybe an neurologist. Please if anyone has more info on this please let me know. cost/frequency of treatments/is this a new procedure? And does it help with nerve pain? I have some nerve pain in vaginal area probably vv which gives me urge to pee. fibro/ic/elmiron/elavil/compound ointment/cymbalta.:help:

[GoldSeals]

Thankyou goldenseal for explaning what pc is. Can a dr. do this in their office? (uro) Or maybe an neurologist. Please if anyone has more info on this please let me know. cost/frequency of treatments/is this a new procedure? And does it help with nerve pain? I have some nerve pain in vaginal area probably vv which gives me urge to pee. fibro/ic/elmiron/elavil/compound ointment/cymbalta.:help:

Hi marysxx,
I never thought of it but yes a neurologist may be able to do it too.
You should check with your primary doctor and see if he knows someone in your area that does it.As far as I know you need 12 treatments total.Thats once a week for 12 weeks.I was told insurance does cover it.Your doctor can probally tell you more or he or she can get that information for you.

[Dianne]

To the person that asked about the SANS, here's a link:
http://www.ic-network.com/guestlectures/stollertranscript.html

[Vampireness]

To the person that asked about the SANS, here's a link:
http://www.ic-network.com/guestlectures/stollertranscript.html

Thank you Dianne, that article was very informative. I see that you've been using this SANS unit, how much does it cost? You also, mentioned the effect has wore off, does it mean this is not a permanent fix and something you would have to do all the time and if you fail to, you get all the symptoms back?

When you insert the needle and stuff, it bleeds everytime?

Vampireness

[Dianne]

I don't remember cost. It was such a long time ago. Maybe $100-200 but that company went out of business I think and then was bought out by someone else. Jill would probably know. Yes by the end of 7 days all effect was gone. There's no bleeding unless I hit a blood vessel. In the earlier years it was all I used for pain control but over time it just didn't pack a punch anymore not unlike long term results for neuromodulation that many have experienced. The painful part is there's a very specific area the needle has to be placed and it's very hard to get that just right. I also found after 10 years of using those sites, there seem to be way more nerves in the area now because I hit them all the time which wasn't the case before. It does take the edge off the pain but it doesn't knock it out like it did early on.

[Vampireness]

It's pretty costly, especially if the effects are not long lasting....however that interview, seemed pretty promising, but they did not mention, in the long run.
So is this unit better than TENS?

Have you done Neuromodulation?

Vampireness

[Dianne]

No to neuromodulation, not intersted. I sleep in a TENS. I don't know how to compare the TENS and the SANS. I guess I never thought about that. I can't make it without either.

[Vampireness]

Oh I see. How much is a TENS unit?

Neuromodulation is invasive?

Vampireness

[Dianne]

Yes to invasive. I paid $100 about 12 yrs. ago and it's still working on the TENS. No idea now.

[Vampireness]

Ohh I see. What does the TENS do? It's battery operated isn't it and the patches to skin onto the body, don't stick as well and are expensive? Someone, I knew used it.

Vampireness

[Dianne]

Check out the "patient handbook" on this site. It explains all these treatment options in great detail and much better than I could do.

[Vampireness]

Oh alright, thank you.

[kepage5]

For me the Urgent PC has helped mostly with the urgency, and so therefore frequency. My doctor does it in the office. Insurance had no problem covering it, but it had to be preapproved. I went every week for 11 weeks, and now I go for follow-ups every now and then. It has helped me alot.
The needle is tiny, like an acccupunture needle, and it usually doesn't bleed, but if it does it's only like one drop when the needle is removed. I don't consider this treatment painful and there are no other side effects.

[Vampireness]

Glad to hear you're feeling better.

Unfornuately, it's not that advanced here so hospitals don't offer this.

Vampireness

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I think the Urgent PC is an updated version of the SANS (Stoller Afferent Nerve Stimulator). It was created by Dr. Marshall Stoller, MD at UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco. Jill Osborne wrote about this therapy as one of the early IC treatments she tired. You can find it in her profile/IC story.

Below is the link to the new Urgent PC. The pics seempretty cool explaining it too.

http://www.uroplasty.com/UPC_US.asp

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[Sally939]

I am so excited. One of the NPs in my uro office is going to talk to a patient/doctor about Urgent PC this month. I really am so excited becasue this is some thing I really want to try and I was afraid I was not going to be able to find a doc that has it. I hope they get it. I did email the Urgent PC company and they sent me a list of who has it close. I just went to the Urgent PC website. Only one doc, an obgyn, has it in my city right now. I left that office a message three days ago and they have not called me back.

I am also feeling more positive than I have in a while. I really am hurting today and I have two over nights in a hotel for work this week. The pain has been creeping up on me. But, the NP I went to today made me feel like we will figure this out. She also told me she runs an IC support group here. That excites me too.

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Carol,
I am subscribing to this thread and it was so good to read your optimistic post full of hope. The Urgent PC seems like a good therapy to me because it is non-invasive and appears to have very few risks. I would like to see people be able to take these units home.

Thank you for letting us know about your experience.

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[Vampireness]

Oh Carol that sounds wonderful, glad to see something is being the right way.

I wish they made a portable unit, but I should go see what this machine looks like.

Vampireness

Update - It looks small....why won't they let us buy it? This is it right?

http://www.cystomedix.com/Images/UrgentPC_total.jpg

[minniesmom]

that looks almost like the one my dr uses, but I think his is a newer model. There is a small needle, like an accupuncture needle that goes in a spot around your ankle. I think that is the reason they don't want us doing it at home. You have to get it in the right spot or it doesn't work. Just like we can't do accupuncture at home. The cost is approximately $60/ treatment at my drs office. But most insurance plans do cover it with a letter from your doctor. But for those of us in Ontario OHIP doesn't.
goodluck I'll try almost anything once, when they say even it MIGHT help

[Vampireness]

I think that is the reason they don't want us doing it at home. You have to get it in the right spot or it doesn't work. Just like we can't do accupuncture at home.

Yeah, I guess so. But, see if they can teach us how to Catherer ourselves and patients who are thought how to give themselves an insulin injection, even young kids with Diabetes, I don't see the big deal with this device.

Acupuncture could be done on your own lol if you bought the needles. I read a new research that Acupuncture works on pain even if it's not done right, it's called the "Sham" method. They randomly placed needles on the body and it worked. So, let's go buy needles lol

I'm scared of needles, and catherers and anything painful? lol

Glad to know insurance covers your treatment.

I'll try almost anything once, when they say even it MIGHT help

Not always a good thing.

Vampireness