questions about reprogramming experiences

[littlebear]

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if any of you can tell me about your experiences with reprogramming? I had the implant done in the middle of March and I've had one reprogramming, but it looks like I will need to go in for another, so I thought I'd ask some questions to see if I'm on the right track (and if I've understood my rep correctly).

First, when you're in the office, what tells you that the setting is right or most likely close to being right? Is a sensation in the right place ok, or do you have to feel the tapping (and how intense should it be)? For those of you who have a constant urge, should the urge disappear in the office? Also, how important is the pulse width (I had a hard time feeling that when it was adjusted)?

Second, when you get home how long does it take to tell if its working? If it's not working, should you turn it up (and how long should you wait to do it after the reprogramming)? I've turned mine up to the point that it pinches, but it still isn't working (I've waited until the pinching wasn't so bad and kept turning it up, but that doesn't seem to help either, so I've turned it back down). If you turn it up too high, can that cause problems (during the trial I was on 7 when it worked and now I can only go up to 40 clicks, which is about = to 4, or so)?

Also, I'd love hear about your experiences generally as far as what happened when your reprogramming worked (and if there's anything you think folks should know as far as reprogramming not working goes, I love to hear that as well as well).

Best wishes to you all, little bear

[Dixiefireball]

i'm not sure because i don't have the implant but maybe one of these ladies who has it will be bye soon to help you.
if you would like i could email cindy or jess to answer your question they are the only two i truly know that has good luck with the stim.
sending you best wishes and prayers rhonda.

[littlebear]

Hi Rhonda, Thanks so very much. That would really mean alot to me. I hope that you are feeling well and that you're having a wonderful weekend. Best wishes, little bear.

[Dixiefireball]

littlebear i sent them a email for you. hopefully one of them will be on tonight if not i'm sure cindy will get it tomorrow.
some of these other ladies may be able to help you also. I know Jess is going to have to have hers reprogrammed soon or she has had it done already not sure its been a few days since i was able to talk to jess she has been sick and flareing had to trun her stim off plus she has a nasty cold with a sore thoart.

[DebbieB]

Hi Littlebear;

I will have my InterStim Implant five year on April 20th..

Well I alway go by feeling the stimulation by putting up your remote control to where you feel the stimulation at also by getting numbness in your leg and foot you have the setting to high, if the stimulation is to close to your rectum area or privite area you feel it very stronge and will hurt you a lot..

As for the adjustment it sometime take time to get good results and some us don't get the results we want right away..
You should ask your doctor what setting he has you at first and keep a record of it ..
Also find out how many electrode you are on there are four .
Also find out what the setting of your voltage is on your Implant and on your remote control...
As for myself I have two electode working and my Implant is set at 4.5 voltage, my remote control is at 1.5 voltage every time I put it up..
This is just some hints for you Littlebear..

I have always kept record of each adjustments so I know what setting I like it the best at and if I have problems I can alway go back to one of those setting with having an adjustment..
If you just had it done in March it will take you awhile to get the setting for you.
It sometime can take up to eight or nine months to get your setting right..
I never use my remote control at all I leave it at the setting and never put it up or down after an adjustment as you need to get use of the setting if it not helping you at all after a couple of weeks then try turning it up a bit..

I hope this will help you a bit as it will take a lot of patience as I found out in the long run.

Debbie

[tigger_gal]

Hi Lil bear... I agree with Debbiedb I have had alot of reprogrammings from weight lost..... email me brat_in_mich@hotmail.com
brat

[littlebear]

Thanks so much Rhonda, Debbieb, and Brat!

Rhonda, I really appreciate your help and I'm so sorry to hear about Jess. We all really miss her!

Brat, thanks to you too. You always have so much good information to give (and you're so generous with it!). I'll email you soon!

Best wishes to you all, little bear

[Dixiefireball]

Your very welcome I just hope that you get the answers you need. Cindy told me Jess has the flu bless her heart and not doing very well.
i'm very glad Debbie helped you out while you was waiting on Cindy and Jess.
I just wish i could had helped you but like i said before i havent never had it.
the only true answer I believe you can get is from people like debbieb Jess brat Teri. people that i know who has had it I know theres others that has had it or has it but i don't remember who they are.
but i do know that many on the board does have it or had it. and when they see your post they will help try to help you out also. don't we have a wonderful family here.
sending you hugs and prayers and i hope you get it fixed soon
Rhonda:)