Bladder Control

[Elizf]

I have read all the posts but from the posts I still don't know if it is effective.
Maybe the people that interstim helped have not remained on the forum.
I know Medtronics is a big company but they certainly are not going to tell
me about failures. Is there anyone that has one and it solved the problem
or did they have to resort to surgery anyway?

[grmaeli]

I'm going in March 3rd to start the interstim testing period which the Dr. told me has to be done to see if this will work for me. If it does work then they will schedule a surgery for inplant. I too have wondered if anyone has had success with interstem but I'm at my last restort after having two sling surgeries and many medications.

[Elizf]

I have had the Interstem permanently installed for 10 days. I thought right away that it helped just like the test. BUT now I find it is not really working as well as I hoped. I am on a low setting, going back April 1st and going to see about turning it up. I have the control here and know how to do that myself but I am going to wait for DR's visit. Thats because he gets the big bucks. LOL
I have also read every story on the topic and it seems that it has not been that succesful,{ works if I don't drink, has helped some} but that is why I wrote about success storys! No one has posted.
Just want to say don't be afraid.....You don't feel a thing. No pain, just a bandage for 7 days but you can still shower from second day, just no tub soaks for the 7 days. Lots of luck to you and hope you post again later with good report.

[grmaeli]

The Dr. said I would be given something to make me relax and I might be in a "twilight sleep" but need to be awake enough to tell them what I feel and something about my big toe twitching. I'm really not all that informed which makes me scared but I also didn't find much info about interstem. The rep will be there and talk to me and hubby before and after about settings etc I guess. If you can share more I would appreciate it. Thanks!!

[Elizf]

Yes, you will have sedation but you can still tell them where you are feeling the buzz.
Then they proceed and the next thing you know you are back in a bed. Total of 4 hrs which included all the registery, talking to everyone, and then you leave. Just can't drive yourself.
Don't worry about that partatall. I hope yours works well.
All I have written about is the actual surgery. The test is nothing, just hang the power source to your bra so you can see it blinking. I carried mine in the pack around my waist until I discovered one day I did not feel the tingle. I had sqished it in bed and it was off. Thats when I went to the bra!

[grmaeli]

Thanks! Will use your tip and place it on my bra for the testing. I also use a CPAP machine and sometimes get it all wrapped around myself so I can only imagine what will happen with the wires! I have considered sleeping in the recliner so I won't toss and turn. I will update you, probably next Tuesday on how I'm feeling and what is happening with the test. Once again I really appreciate you putting my mind at ease!

[grmaeli]

I had the test stimulation started yesterday. I must be different because it took them 1 hour 45 minutes from the time I got on the table till the time I was back in the room to get the IV out. It was quite painful during the inserting of the probes. Apparently they were having trouble on the right side and had to remove it twice and start over. OUCH. I was awake the whole time and wasn't given anything to help me relax. I'm wearing the transmitter on my bra as you suggested and it works great. My settings seem high to me at 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 but the medtronic rep said it was fine. I slept great last night using a pillow between my hubby and myself incase he got restless and happen to hit my tail bone! That is the only place that is sore and it really doesn't hurt, just like a bruise. I go back to the doctor on Friday and he will place the transmitter on the other side then we will know which nerve works best. I haven't had an accident but still seem to go often but it hasn't been 24 hours yet.
They also told me that after the test period they would implant in 2 week to a month depending on when they could get an operating room. That of course depends on if they see a good improvement and decide to implant permantly.
Oh, the other thing I have noticed is getting up out of chairs. I'm only 5 foot tall and all our chairs have a deep seat as my husband is tall. They told my not to slide out as it would pull the leads. I now put pillows behind me. Other than that everything is great!