What they don't tell you...

[vickisue]

I had an interstim device implanted just 4 years ago.The Dr. said it should last me 10 years,which considering the cost(!),my husband and I thought it would be worth it.Well,I just went to the Uro today,as I got a low battery warning,and I only have maybe 1 more month tops before the device dies altogether.When the woman representing the Co. that makes the devices asked me today what condition I had,she told me that people who get interstims for incontinence or retention,they have their devices set at a much lower setting,so it isn't unusual for the devices to last the much advertised '10 years'.But she said people with IC,she has found,in order to achieve results,have their settings much higher,and burn through their battery life much more quickly.She said the ave. she has seen for IC patients is just 4 years.Then the next bit of bad news followed....the new smaller interstim devices that have replaced the older larger ones have an even shorter life span.She said if it only took you 4 years to use up the battery on this larger unit,expect that if you get a new one installed,it will probably only last you 2 years!!!! WOW! Now I really do not know what to do.We simply can not afford to max out out deductible+co-ininsurance am. every other year!And I still get flares on a regular basis,and have to follow the IC diet to the letter,and go out of my way to avoid anything that might trigger a flare.I am discouraged,upset,and at this piont,wondering what to do.
This is so discouraging!Sorry to rant...I am just at a loss right now and need to vent!

[ICNDonna]

I'm so sorry this is happening to you.

Donna

[SharonA]

I am so sorry. (((Hugs)))

This is a decision you and your husband need to make based on if you have a better quality of life with the interstem then you had without it. Is it possible to have the larger one like you already have implanted instead of the smaller version?

[stac7_8]

I'm sorry to hear that you are going threw this. But like anything we try with this disease I agree it depends on the quality of life you have with the intersim. If it's better then with out it, then that is a good thing.

I understand about the money issue, but you and your husband need to consider the quality of life that you have with that.

Example...I had a Hydrodestion done because I was told by my doc that he normally had IC patients get great releif from it. Well not me....You could not pay me enough to do that again. 4 months later and I'm just now getting back to my old self. It did do one thing for me and that was take the pressure off, but it didn't help with anything else.

I do wish you the best of luck in any decision you make :angel:

[Krisssy]

I am considering an interstem, and my Dr. told me it is covered by insurance????????????Krisssy

[Snuph]

I have my interstim for IC and the batteries just died after 8.5 years. What are others experiencing for battery life?

[LithEruiel]

Do you have to have a whole new device put in when the batteries die?

Surgery every two years really seems like a pain. I'd like to hear what kind of battery life other people are getting. Sorry that happened Vicki, I hope things are going well now.

[Taramc]

How much do they cost?

[LithEruiel]

I'm sure it would depend on your insurance or lack thereof.

[Li.sa]

I have bilateral interstims (both sides). The older one is the larger one and it's been going non stop for 5 years. The newer one is the new smaller type and is still going after 3 years. I have them on pretty well all the time and my insurance covered them.
I'm not sure if this is still correct now but when I got them they were authorized for "neurogenic bladder/incontinence" not for pain. I had both. Maybe try this route to get around the ins. auth.
Lisa