interstim

[BLOORE74]

I have an interstim and mine broke!!!!!!!!!I didn't do anything. So there went another surgery, still no success so recently they implanted another lead and they leave that in temp so you have a wire hanging out of your body, mine got stuck on something & pulled it out, that hurt sooooo bad. So there was another surg to replace the temp, then repace the new lead in permanent was another surgery, and I have no relief. A million dollar machine is not helping my pain at all, my doc is frustrated w/ the interstim machine also. He doesn't reccomend the procedure as much. It helps with the urgency, and frequency definately. But, u have 2 have it "reprogrammed" when it stops working. The docs say when the bladder finds a way around the machine u need 2 be reprogrammed. For me it's every 5 weeks or so, which they charge my ins $976.00!!!!! Medicine is so crazy now!!! You can't afford to get sick any more!!! Just really think about the interstim be 4 you have it done.

[ICNDonna]

Thank you for sharing your experience. People really need to see both sides before making care decisions.

Warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[gloriabono68]

My uro wants me to try the interstim soon...........cause my problem is mainly the urgency frequency and after all i have been through getting reprogramed every 5 weeks or so would be a blessing........but i don't know.......i am told it can be taken out and will cause no long lasting effects if it has to be taken out??

i dont know what to do anymore...........
gloriabono

[dyno]

Sorry you are having a tough time.:kiss:

Gloria, do check into this before you do it. If you read through the different Interstim boards you will see peoples experiences with it. There are good ones and bad ones. There are people who do have problems even after it is removed. I wish you well in whatever you decide.:)

[littlebear]

I'm so sorry that you've had so many problems and that you've had to be reprogrammed so many times. One of my reps said that he considers reprogramming to be the third phase of the interstim procedure overall--and the one that sometimes requires the most patience because it can take a long time to get it right. I can't imagine having it work and then suddenly not having it work, though. It must be very frustrating for you. I hope that after all your time and effort you find results that last permenantly (although I'm happy to hear that you're having some results, even if they don't last all that long). Sending you my best wishes and lots of hope for long-lasting results asap, little bear

PS Gloria, you're question is a great one and doing lots of research is a really the best way to come to a decision. I think that some of the "patient stories" that you can link to through the main ICN page deal with this issue as well. Plus, if you link to the ICN patient handbook from the main page there are two sections devoted to nerve stimulation under "surgical therapies."
Best of luck with this and let us know if you have any questions!

[gloriabono68]

thanks a bunch everyone......i dont know what i would do without this message board ..........i think i would be stark raving mad , if all of you werent here........and i will let you know , when i know something.........take care
gloriabono:kiss:

[SusanB]

I'm getting mine put in on the 28th. I pray I don't have this kind of trouble. Hope you feel better.
Susan B

[littlebear]

Best of luck Susan! I'll be sending good thoughts and all my best wishes your way on the 28th! little bear

[SusanB]

Littlebear,
THANK YOU SO MUCH for caring. To everyone else, would you PLEASE say a prayer for me Monday at 1:00 thats when I go in for the Insterim.
THANK ALL OF YOU
SUSAN B

[SusanB]

Littlebear,
THANK YOU SO MUCH for caring. To everyone else, would you PLEASE say a prayer for me Monday at 1:00 thats when I go in for the Insterim.
THANK ALL OF YOU
SUSAN B

[littlebear]

Hi Susan,
My pleasure! Be sure to take it easy after the procedure. And, when you're feeling up to it let us know how you're doing! Sending you all my best wishes (and will be thinking of you on the 28th!), little bear

[DebbieB]

Hi Susan;

I will have you in my thoughts and prayers on the 28th..
I wish you all the best and please take care of yourself after the surgery.:thumbsup:

Warm hugs, Debbie :kiss:

[Teri]

Bloore~my first implant worked for 9 months. I had to have revision surgery and have an unsucesful trial and going thru the surgery anyways, after 2 years I had to admit defeat and have it removed. It didn't matter how many adjustments they did, the dang thing just refused to work.

My heart goes out to you because I know what an emotional strain this is......

Wishing you the very very best~