Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Anyone used Interstim for Spasms..does it help?

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    Anyone used Interstim for Spasms..does it help?

    My doctor has been speaking to me about the interstim for almost a year now. He brought it up initially as a "last resort" sort of procedure after trying multiple meds first.

    OK, a year and 3 surgeries later we have been down that road. Since my hysterectomy last December, my bladder and urethral spasms have really gone out of control. The only med I can tolerate for them is Klonopin but as we discussed, I cannot stay on this drug permantly. I have always been adament against Interstim but I am looking into long term solutions now.

    Has anyone had the Interstim implanted for spasms? My frequency and urgency are controlled now through Elmiron. Pain is still a real problem due to the spasms and severe pfd.

    If anyone has any first hand info- please let me know, I would really like to hear from you.

    THANKS!!!!!
    Wendi
    IC symptoms began in 1975; diagnosed in March 2006.
    Other conditions: PFD, Migraine, VV, Total Abd Hysterectormy on 12/27,06 for Cervical Cancer, Fibromyalgia.
    Current Daily Meds: Roxicet, Methadone, Flexoril, Flomax
    I use Prayer, Yoga, Relaxation Breathing and TENS to help relieve stress, anxiety and pain- LOTS of make up to hide my true identity!

    myspace page:www.myspace.com/armslee
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Wendi,
    As we all hopefully know, the interstim isn't meant specifically for pain. However, I have severe retention and whenever I would go to the bathroom, whether it was on my own OR via cath, I would always have horrific spasms that followed. I have seen a dramatic decrease in the spasms with the trial interstim this past week. I think I've had spasms maybe three or four times all week following a void, and the spasms aren't nearly as strong. I would normally have them after EVERY void. So, in that respect, I have seen a decrease in my post void increase in pain.

    Hope this helps you out some in your decision.

    ~Claudia

    "A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others."
    ~ The Wizard of Oz

    "If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own
    back yard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with!" ~ Dorothy

    Comment

    • #3
      Has anyone had the Interstim implanted for spasms? My frequency and urgency are controlled now through Elmiron. Pain is still a real problem due to the spasms and severe pfd.
      As a fellow interstimer, I do not think in "my opinion" that getting the interstim for spasms is a good idea. I still have spasms. I can say that if you have urgency pain, not bladder pain, it is possible for it to help that.
      Please ask all the questions you can, and ask your doctor if he has patients you can talk to.
      'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

      Comment

      • #4
        I think you are 100% right, tigger. I don't think anyone should get interstim specifically for spasms...I think it's a benefit that COULD happen with interstim, but not one that is specifically intended.

        ~Claudia

        "A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others."
        ~ The Wizard of Oz

        "If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own
        back yard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with!" ~ Dorothy

        Comment

        • #5
          I also think that InterStim for spasms specifically isn't a good idea... when I PM'd you back, I thought that you were having spasms accompanied by frequency/urgency.

          I know I still have spasms and pain even though my frequency/urgency is down to half of what it was pre-InterStim.

          The InterStim stimulates the sacral nerve, which affects bladder and sometimes bowel and uterine FUNCTION -- but spasms and pain are often transmitted to the spinal cord through completely different nerves (pudendal and others). Sometimes as a side effect, stimulation of the sacral nerve can lead to better function of the pelvic floor muscles, but it doesn't always. This is why InterStim isn't really specifically for pain -- it doesn't deal with the right nerves. However, since we're all a little different, sometimes pain relief is a nice side effect, like Claudia said.
          ****
          Jen

          *Diagnosed with severe IC in 2004
          *Also diagnosed with PFD, fibromyalgia, chronic myofascial pain, IBS, migraines, allergies/asthma, dermatographism
          *Kept trying a million different treatments for all these things until I found what works, and I am doing okay these days with the help of a cocktail of medications and the InterStim, which was first placed in 2007. [I have had 2 revisions - one in 2010 when my battery died and had to be replaced, and one complete replacement (lead and generator) in 2012 after a fall on my stairs caused my lead to move.]
          *Current meds include Atarax (50mg at night), Lyrica (150mg twice a day), Xanax (0.5mg at night and as needed), Zanaflex (4mg at night), hydrocodone (10/325, every 6 hours as needed), Advair, Nasonex, Singulair (10mg at night), oral contraceptives, home instills containing Elmiron and Marcaine (as often as I need to do them).

          **I am not a medical authority nor do I offer definitive medical advice. I strongly encourage you to discuss your medical treatment with your personal medical care provider. Only they can, and should, give medical recommendations to you.

          Comment

          • #6
            Interstim for spasm

            Wendi the interstim is not used for pain or spasm's. I had the interstim used for uergency&frerquency. It only helped me 30% and then I had to have redone. Then I started have problems with it and then he did not wont to help me. So I went to a doctor in Miami, fl that took it out and I am doing Botox injection with him know. The botox is really helping me know. Wendi What is Roxicet? Deborah Bush
            I have IC, the IBS, Heartburn, High bloodpressure,thyrod problems, depression and clorties pain.

            Comment

            • #7
              It is an oxycodone. I am taking 30 mg every 4 hrs right now. It has helped with my pain quite a bit while I was off work, but I tell ya, after working all day today, I am hurting ALOT right now and getting ready to go hook up the TENS for my back pain.

              I had been taking 15 mg of Roxicet as breakthroughs with the Duragesic. Since I am having so many skin problems with the Duragesic, she wanted me to switch to Oxycontin. I however wanted to explore something else first. So we are trying the increase of Roxicets but, now working again, I don't think that is going to do it for me.

              It really is always something.
              Wendi
              IC symptoms began in 1975; diagnosed in March 2006.
              Other conditions: PFD, Migraine, VV, Total Abd Hysterectormy on 12/27,06 for Cervical Cancer, Fibromyalgia.
              Current Daily Meds: Roxicet, Methadone, Flexoril, Flomax
              I use Prayer, Yoga, Relaxation Breathing and TENS to help relieve stress, anxiety and pain- LOTS of make up to hide my true identity!

              myspace page:www.myspace.com/armslee

              Comment

              • #8
                interstim

                Armslee,
                When I had my Interstim, I was 98% pain and spasm free. Alot of people don't have that kind of sucess though. I lost mine through an accident though and was no longer a canidate. I eventually had my bladder removed because of endstage IC. But when I had my interstim I had it for almost I had it for almost 3 years. I loved it!
                Blessings,
                Eva

                Comment

                • #9
                  omg littleva what kind of accident happened that you lost your interstim? if I am being too nosy let me know
                  'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

                  Comment

                  Previous template Next
                  Working...
                  X