Interstim Surgery

[The J's Nan]

I did the two week "trial" and got so much relief I decided to go for it and get the interstim implant. I had the surgery on Monday; this is Wedneday and I can honestly say I haven't done this well in years (other than soreness from the implants). Where I used to go to the RR every 15-30 minutes, I can now go every 3-4 hours comfortably. This is a surgery I would highly recommend to those with Chronic IC symptoms. I have not slept a night through in years until the last three weeks. Now I only get up one time per night to go to the restroom. I have considered this surgery for the past 5 years but couldn't make up my mind to do it. Only recently I began to read how the stimulator lead could be placed all the way down to the pudendal nerve. My urologist and neurologist worked together with Medtronics to do the surgery and I am so glad I went through with it. I got immediate relief! My bladder is completely emptying (another miracle) so I don't feel like I need to go all the time. The urgency/frequency is gone. Not enough good I can say about the procedure.:smile tee

[mary124]

J's Nan:

Thanks for your input- I too been putting this off for at least 3 years but this time I decided to go ahead and do it. I too have trouble emptying my bladder and the doctor said this would help. I am going to do the trial on June17th and the permanent implant on the 1st.

[willow2389]

my old uro told me about putting the interstim down to pundeal nerve i have my interstim at the highest setting and i have had it replace 3 times since 2007, the last one put in sept 09 is dying already is putting it in the pundeal nerve fda approve because my old uro wants me to see a new uro who does this but i did not think it was fda approved and my insurance wont cover anything not fda approved

[The J's Nan]

The Interstim has been FDA approved for urgency/frequency and urinary retention for a number of years. In recent months neurologists' have come on board and are teaching urologists' how to place one of the leads at the pudendal nerve area, thus helping with pain. I am still so pleased with the outcome of my surgery and it's only been 4 days. I can tell a huge difference. Your insurance should pay if your urologist puts on your paperwork it's being done for urgency/frequency which we all deal with. For the first time in more than 11 years my bladder is completely emptying! Hope you have as good a success story as myself. It's a miracle for me.

[snowgirl]

interesting as i thought of getting interstim few yrs ago but said no way without a neurosurgeon putting it in. now neurology is doing it good. I even asked our neursurgeon who does implants but not interstim if he would do it.
So is it a neuroligst or neurosurgeon that scrubs in and helps urologist put the leads in?
I can see truly how it makes a difference having neurologist there and getting lead on sacral and pudenal nerve
i also heard insurance will pay for interstim but most insurance co wont pay for the newer version with more leads called sacral nerve stimulator.

great to hear how wonderful above poster on your new interstim. I have thought of it for years maybe now is my time if i am a candidate.
i should do trial.
thing is i am now on ss disablity and have medicare not sure medicare will pay for interstim but not this new one

[The J's Nan]

You shouldn't have a problem with approval even if you're on SS. Because it's a tool that helps with urgency/frequency and retention it saves all insurance companies in the long run because with it's success so much money is saved for them for the fact it lessens our prescription needs. I don't know where you live, but there are only 3 states in the Nation that do this procedure. Mine was done in Houston, TX. My Doctors are Christopher Smith (urologist) and Neurosurgeon is Dr. Philip Phan. I'll be happy to give you their contact information if you need it! Blessings and prayers!:angel:

[willow2389]

You shouldn't have a problem with approval even if you're on SS. Because it's a tool that helps with urgency/frequency and retention it saves all insurance companies in the long run because with it's success so much money is saved for them for the fact it lessens our prescription needs. I don't know where you live, but there are only 3 states in the Nation that do this procedure. Mine was done in Houston, TX. My Doctors are Christopher Smith (urologist) and Neurosurgeon is Dr. Philip Phan. I'll be happy to give you their contact information if you need it! Blessings and prayers!:angel:

Do you know what other states do this?

[snowgirl]

thanks for the info and yes i may pm you for that info on new sacral modulator.
I meet with my new uro in july. He is at U of Michigan.
Not sure if he is doing this type of surgery. I do know he has fellowship in neurology as well
interesting few yrs back 3 when it came out we were putting them in my hospital in back pts for chronic pain
as recovery room rn i always had my own personal belief no intestim for me unless a neurosurgeon is putting it in.
now neurology in on boar- which i truly believe may improve the stats on success of these implants
thanks for your reply
first i am must found out if i am a candidate. I have had ic 25 yrs my bladder is very small and scarred.
vicky