Flowergirl
01-03-2012, 01:15 PM
Hi everyone.
I currently have an Interstim device. I had my interstim device put in about one and a half years ago. I do go to the bathroom a lot less. I was in the bathroom 15 - 25 times a day. Now I go 7 - 10 times a day. I even have days that I go only 7 times a day. I also experience a lot less pelvic pain. The pelvic pain was the main reason I decided to get the interstim although the device is not guaranteed or stated by doctors to help with pain. I tried all of the medicine therapies, physical therapy, pelvic floor exercises, etc. Nothing seemed to help and the pain was getting worse. This was a last resort for me. Before getting the device I spent a great deal of time researching it so that I could make an informed decision. Currently, I take Vicodin for pain as needed. I take it on average once every two weeks. I take Savella for my bladder and fibromyalgia daily. I also take elavil about once a month if I have a bad flare and I have continued on Lexapro. As you can see I am still on meds but the frequency in which I need them has decreased.
I still follow the IC diet and I still have flares if I eat the wrong thing but they are not as severe, but a flare is a flare......right! I have very mild pain on the site where the device was installed on occasion but this is only when I sleep on that side for more than 8 hours.
In the beginning I had to reset the device each week to get the setting where I received the most benefit. It felt weird in the beginning but not painful.
I have not touched the device in three months and I am doing well. It was a good decision for me and it is helping and I pray that it continues to help.
I think that everyone has to make their own decision about the interstim device. I had many factors that led to my decision. One of those factors was that my doctor is a skilled surgeon and was successful with other patients that I was able to speak with about their experience with the device. Other doctors offered but I did not feel comfortable with them. I left a doctor that tried to push me into getting the interstim. My current doctor was not pushy and continued to treat me until I made the decision to get the device.
I wish everyone a happy new year and less bathroom visits.
I currently have an Interstim device. I had my interstim device put in about one and a half years ago. I do go to the bathroom a lot less. I was in the bathroom 15 - 25 times a day. Now I go 7 - 10 times a day. I even have days that I go only 7 times a day. I also experience a lot less pelvic pain. The pelvic pain was the main reason I decided to get the interstim although the device is not guaranteed or stated by doctors to help with pain. I tried all of the medicine therapies, physical therapy, pelvic floor exercises, etc. Nothing seemed to help and the pain was getting worse. This was a last resort for me. Before getting the device I spent a great deal of time researching it so that I could make an informed decision. Currently, I take Vicodin for pain as needed. I take it on average once every two weeks. I take Savella for my bladder and fibromyalgia daily. I also take elavil about once a month if I have a bad flare and I have continued on Lexapro. As you can see I am still on meds but the frequency in which I need them has decreased.
I still follow the IC diet and I still have flares if I eat the wrong thing but they are not as severe, but a flare is a flare......right! I have very mild pain on the site where the device was installed on occasion but this is only when I sleep on that side for more than 8 hours.
In the beginning I had to reset the device each week to get the setting where I received the most benefit. It felt weird in the beginning but not painful.
I have not touched the device in three months and I am doing well. It was a good decision for me and it is helping and I pray that it continues to help.
I think that everyone has to make their own decision about the interstim device. I had many factors that led to my decision. One of those factors was that my doctor is a skilled surgeon and was successful with other patients that I was able to speak with about their experience with the device. Other doctors offered but I did not feel comfortable with them. I left a doctor that tried to push me into getting the interstim. My current doctor was not pushy and continued to treat me until I made the decision to get the device.
I wish everyone a happy new year and less bathroom visits.