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View Full Version : Success Insterstim for Male 31yrs


justanother_ic
10-11-2011, 05:36 PM
My first surgery for Interstim trial after trying almost every medicine out there and procedure to stop my overactive bladder. My symptons were; going to the bathroom every 45 minutes and 15 minutes on a bad flair day which occured at least once a week. After being diagnosed with IC I was also diagnosed with overactive bladder. To make a long story short here it goes;
I was given an IV with Valium and a conscious sedation for my first surgery. After dosing off all I remember is waking up in the middle of the surgery and being asked if I felt certain pulses with the external interstim device. I must say that this process was not at all, not even the slightest bit painful or uncomfortable. I had read all about it in the internet forum and how much or a weird sensation it was; and let me just say that I was as calm as I could be. I was then put to sleep again.
I woke up shortly from my surgery with out any pain at all and not even any uncofortable symptoms. I was walking around and about in 30 minutes from the surgery. I wore the interstim device for 1 week as my symptoms improved throught out the week. During this time I did not take any medicine or pain killers. I also did not shower or aggravate the area at all.
I was set up for the interstim part two one week later. I went through the same step and procedure, I was given valium through an IV and then right after that I was sedated. I woke up a few hours later and I was at the bed rest in the hospital. I woked out roughly 2 hours later to make sure the anesthesia had worn off. I was not in any pain at all, its been a week since I had my final interstim surgery done and I been walking around with my pace maker inside of me.
I am telling this story because I also went in being nervous and scared of getting this procedure done, and in the end, this whole procedure hurt less than a bee sting. If any of you (male) have gone through a cystoscopy or a urodynamic, then you will be more than fine going through this.
I hope you all the best and good luck of anyone considering this procedure. And aswell highly recommend it.

1982
10-13-2011, 12:54 PM
Hi thanks for posting. Did the surgery reduce your urgency. I have this pretty near constant urge (not a going to have an accident) my urinary process is just never at peace like it used to be. Did the interstim help with urge?:toilet

justanother_ic
10-13-2011, 02:23 PM
The main thing the interstim/pacemaker did for me was reduce my urgency tremendously. I also had bad urgency problems without any incidents offcourse. The interstim has definately changed my life as far as urgency and frequency.
I never had an incident before but the uncomfortableness of having that urgency at the head of my bladder and the pressure was not something i wanted to live with. The interstim has controlled my bladder and my stomach as well, as I also had IBS symptoms along with my bladder symptoms.
Have you done the ankle therapy for interstim?

1982
10-13-2011, 03:22 PM
I did the ankle for 12 treatments. There wasn't much change. Did you do the ankle stim before interstim? Can you still excersise with the interstim are there any restrictions. I don't really have much bladder pain just urge (strangely I don't have the problem sleeping through the night) If you don't mind me asking what treatments did you try before interstim?

justanother_ic
10-13-2011, 04:17 PM
I did do the stem ankle therapy for 24 times. At the beginning i found some relief but then it went away, and it was mainly because it depends very much who is doing your therapy and if the same person is the one doing it. As you know every person that does it does it different, some hit the nerve some dont and dont even get close and they do it wrong. I tried detrol la and a few other medication, i did cystoscopy, eurodynamics and a few minimal invasive procedures. the drugs didnt help much, so interstim was my last resort. I am an addict runner so i can tell u that was my main concern after getting the interstim inside of me. I have the pacemaker in as we speak and a week after having it in i can say that i feel no different than before with no pain or no discomfort at all, i dont see why at all i will have a problem running. I dont feel it in my body at all, not even when i lay on my back.
Yes i did have a problem sleeping before all this, i woke up 5 times a night to urinate. What are your symptoms if u dont mind me asking?

1982
10-14-2011, 10:52 AM
I have frequency. Every once ina while I will have a cramping pain in my pelvis. The constant urge even when I am bone dry is my complaint it is literally driving me insane.:headbang: I've done meds, pt, and ankle stim. I had the cysto with hydro but all the Dr. said is there was some mild hypervascularity in my bladder. This all started with a prostate infection. My only symptom then was burning during urination. I took antibiotics and the burning stopped. Then about 6 months latter the constant urge started. It is miserable but at least it doesn't hurt. Did you try the instilled medicine into the bladder before interstim? I'm thinking about possibly giving this a shot first? Its nice to hear from a guy with these problems.

Is your frequency bak to normal? I want this urge feeling gone. I'm glad you have found something that is working for you:)