Interstim Implant Surgery

[sweetpeahiker]

Hi. I had the interstim implant surgery (stages 1 & 2) on Thursday, 1/29. It is quite painful. They sent me home with morphine & 800 mg Motrin prescriptions which have caused me a severe case of constipation...to the point sometimes I can't go #1 or #2. Cold packs on the bandage covering the surgery site have been helping. I went off the morphine and just take the motrin every 8 hours...

Well, the Medtronic guy and my doctor differed in opinions as to when the proper time to take the bandage off the surgery site. The Medtronic guy told me to take sponge baths and frontal showers until I had my post-op appointment with the doc (which is Feb. 11). The doctor told me I could take it off at home in 3 days. Who do I believe? Today is day 4. I'm nervous about taking the bandage off. I want to make sure it heals properly. It itches and I don't want to accidentally scratch the area. There are steri-strips underneath the bandage, but that doesn't "pad" the incision site.

What did you all do after the surgery? What did your doc tell you to do in regards to removing the bandages, showers, etc.?

Thanks.
Cheryl

[mrachel]

For both my original surgery and my revision I had several weeks of drainage so I took frontal showers/ sponge baths avoiding the area around the incision. Both times I had to return to the dr.'s office within a few days following surgery because the tagaderm filled up with fluid and they didn't want me to take it off on my own. After that I changed my own bandage several times a day. From what I understand most people don't have as much drainage as I seem to have. This past surgery I would go for a day or two without any drainage and as soon as I would go without a bandage I would start leaking fluid again.

I would normally suggest following you're dr. reccomendations over the rep. but if you are concerned about taking the bandage off please go in to your dr. office and have them do it. Also if you do decide to take it off yourself make sure you have some gauze and tape or tagaderm handy in case it starts to drain. I know that it can really itch. I had tape of some kind on around the gauze for weeks and it drove me nuts.

[sweetpeahiker]

Hi, Rachel. Thank you for your response. Eeks. I think I will wait to prevent any kind of drainage or infection issues. I have a feeling if I take it off...I'm going to itch it in my sleep. I have a tendency to do that.

Today is day 6. I was so constipated from the surgery/pain meds, they told me to do a Fleet Phospho-Soda yesterday. OMG! I felt like I did when I went to have a colonoscopy - DRAINED! BUT...today I woke up...not as much pressure in my abdomen...feel like I've lost 10 pounds, etc. Even the pain at the surgery site isn't as bad. I'm almost feeling human today. Today is also the first day I'm wearing pants instead of sweat pants (loose pants, but pants none-the-less).

I haven't had the stimulator on much since the surgery. It seems to only have irritated it more at the surgery site, the nerves and my intestinal tract. I was having additional spasms I hadn't had before. Now, since my intestinal tract is more empty, I've turned it on .1. I seem to be going about every 2 1/2 to 3 hours on that setting. After I heal more, I may try turning it up more but am afraid right now it will only irritate it more and I'll be going back a few more steps again...

Are there others on this list that have IC and IBS? I would like to discuss how the interstim has affected the IBS as well. So many questions!!!

--Cheryl--

[mlzippy7]

With my surgeries I had bandages for about a month if I remember correctly. I had a huge hematoma that liquified though and bled like crazy for weeks. So I had to change the bandages often.
I also have lots of GI issues from IBS to crohns.

I too had lots of pain and many issues with both surgeries.

I hope things get better for you soon!!
Hang in there!!

[sweetpeahiker]

Hi, Mary. I'm sorry to hear you also have IBS and Crohn's. I bleed with my IBS so I'm sure my IBS is actually more of an IBD. I went to the Lahey Clinic in Boston, but the GI told me to focus on getting my IC under control and get some of the major emotional stressors out of my life (divorce, etc.) as he didn't feel I could handle therapies for two chronic conditions at the same time.

Have you noticed any relief from your Interstim regarding your IBS or Crohn's? When I had the tester, I did notice a change in my bowels, but so far with the actual implant, I haven't...I'm hoping once things settle down at the surgery site maybe I will.

--Cheryl--

[momuv4]

I am searching for info on the Interstim unit success with patients who have had bladder augmentation. I have done quite a bit of research and can't find anything. My IC is out of control and the augment is shrinking and terribly scarred from infections so there is a chance I will need to go in and have the augment redone. I am weighing out my options. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!! Lisa

[mrachel]

momuv4, I haven't ever read of any other patients that got the interstim after bladder augmentation. Has your dr. heard of any or found any literature about it? You might check with Medtronic but I don't know that they would know or not. I'm sorry you're augmented one is having trouble. Hang in there.