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  • #1

    What stim looks like inside

    Hi everyone,
    I thought that this would be interesting for you to look at. I have emailed it to Jill and she asked if she could put it on the sight. I told her yes of course.
    I thought I would post it now because I know she is very busy with other things. So in the mean time I will post it here.

    http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...1emailsize.jpg
    'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Cool

    My husband said that he got to see a fluoro image of mine just after my surgery... I was still asleep and my uro took it out to show him. He said it was really interesting. Wish I'd seen it too... and now I've seen something similar
    ****
    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

    • #3
      Whoa! That's just freaky! Can't imagine having one. It looks so big! I figured it would have wires sticking out everywhere.

      Comment

      • #4
        I have the old version. mine has 4 leads. Some gals that had the "older stim" like mine that had them out in after 2004 have 8 leads. the new ones I think have 16.
        it is freaky isn't it.
        'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

        Comment

        • #5
          Like I said it looks painful!
          Hugs
          Ronda

          ONE Second, ONE Bite, ONE Breath, ONE Pill, ONE Minute, ONE Teardrop, ONE Hour, ONE Sip.. ONE DAY! I will Prevail from this disease! IC Hoping for a Cure!


          Link to Patient Handbook:
          http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/

          Diet Reference Sheet:
          http://www.ic-network.com/diet/icndi...tsheet0909.pdf

          Meds For IC: Lyrica-25mg Glucosamine-500 MSM-500mg, Prosed Ds -When Flaring

          Other Meds: Levlite- Continious Birtcontrol, Micardis-40mg for High Blood Pressure

          Meds I have Tried:
          Topamax,Tofranil, Elmiron, Atarax, Cymbalta, Elavil, Enablex, Detral La, Prydium.
          Lexapro< Bad reaction to this med!
          Intstills, could not continue them due to some kind of reaction after 3rd instill. Tasted the lidocaine in my mouth, tongue and lips went numb then went into what seemed like a panic attack. Shaking, racing heart, tingling face/head, blood pressure shot up..

          Dx With IC in Nov 2006 with Hydro/Cysto
          Hydro/Cysto Caused Bladder to Rupture.

          Other Dxs-Vulvodynia,Fibro, Endo, IBS, HPV, Migraines, Spastic Colon, Mild Dysplasia.


          ICN Volunteers are not medical authorities nor do we offer medical advice. In all cases, we 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
            I think I have 4 leads. I had a bone density test done last October since I am anemic and the doctors were just trying to figure out why. I forgot to tell them about my implant and when they were doing the scan the tech jumped up so quick and asked me if I had anything metal in me. Oops, I should have told her to do the right side.

            I saw a video of it being done and I knew it was about the size of a face powder compact. When I first had my in, the machine they used to change up the settings was pretty big, now the machine is almost the size of my own control. I need to remember to ask my doctor when I would need to have the batteries changed. Since my wonderful Dr. Ragi moved, I haven't really had a doctor to work with my implant since last January. Luckily everything has been going okay with it. They have a guy from Medtronics come in about once I month, but I haven't been able or needed to have any adjustments so I haven't actually met him/her.

            Thanks for sharing it.

            T83

            Comment

            • #7
              Leelee it really is not painful, its weird, the generator sitting in there dosen' t hurt.

              Tracey you have never met the nedtronics rep? Did one come and explain the what was going on at the trial and implant surgery? mine was there both times.
              'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

              Comment

              • #8
                It is so much bigger than I imagined. How much smaller are the new ones?
                hugs,
                Janie

                Comment

                • #9
                  If you want to see a picture of the inter-stim there is one on the Medronics web site.
                  Interstitial Cystitis Stomach problems
                  diastolic dysfunction
                  vascular insufficency of left leg
                  pelvid floor disorder
                  hypothroidisim
                  asthma
                  bread cancer - 5yrsl. remission
                  swollowing difficulty
                  fatigue
                  lots of doctors
                  lots of med.














                  Keep your eyes on the Lord and he will direct your paths.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Tigger..Oh certainly! When I was a patient of Dr. Wigul's, she did the surgery and everything. I talked to some of her patients that had the implant that had success and not success. There are alot of people on this site that were patients of Dr. Ragi and believe me she was awesome! That is why Janie drove 8 hours to go see her a few months ago! The medtronic rep was there for both of the surgeries, and talked to me before and after the surgery. Dr. Wigul moved to Knoxville and the doctor that replaced her was not as knowledgeable about IC as I had hoped, so now my area does not have a doctor that is trained on the implant from what I have been told and researched. That is why they bring in this doctor every month to the doctor's office I am currently going to. When I wasn't happy with my treatment with the new doctor that took Dr. Ragi's place, I emailed Dr. Ragi and she recommended that I see the doctor that I am going to now. He has several IC patients and his current patients really like him. He has had several write ups about his work with IC and PFD and voted in the top 100 doctors, but I was accustomed to the "bedside manner" that I received from Dr. Ragi.

                    T83

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      I have the newer InterStim but am not sure how many leads I have at the moment... I was told when I was still loopy from anesthesia and of course, forgot LOL!

                      The newer one really is about the size of a casino chip (the ones used at say, the blackjack tables), maybe a little bigger ... it's not too big at all. And no, it's not painful just sitting there. The surgery is painful, just like any surgery, and it takes a while to heal completely, of course, but once it's healed it doesn't hurt. The stimulation you feel doesn't hurt either... in fact, I don't really feel mine, but that is okay 'cause you don't have to feel it to know it's working!
                      ****
                      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

                      • #12
                        Talk to someone who has the interstim

                        Hey Guys,

                        I have been reading alot on here about the interstim and those of you who have it. My husband and I went to Oschner's today and after thorough health history and pelvic exam, the Urologist said he thought I would be a good candidate for the implant.

                        My husband and I have some concerns since we have come home and wanted to talk to someone about this who has had success or not with it. Would someone be willing to PM me if you'd be willing?

                        Does anyone know if/what the percentages of successes/failures are related to this?

                        Also, what is the level of pain for the surgery and immediately afterward?

                        We live about two and a half hours through a bumpy interstate to New Orleans and it was hard to just ride there for the appt. So, I was thinking about my husband and I getting a hotel room for the initial surgery since there is no one over here at our area hospitals that would know what to do if there was anything going wrong. Comments on riding after the initial and second stage?

                        One positive thing is that my physician did say there would be a "trial" to see how I react. I am also for the next few days before the procedure to keep a "voiding" diary with my measurements of urine (he said to be used as a baseline) before surgery.

                        He also said I would be conscious, but comfortable during the procedure. What does that mean? Is pain under control while you are in the O.R.? I already have issues with pain and take a lot of medication.

                        The doctor also said that while the interstim is NOT used for pain, he has seen it control spasms and bladder "irregularity" with people, therefore managing pain coming from that. So, I think maybe he was honest with that.

                        One of the news releases I read that was a sticky said something about you not being able to have MRI's due to deadly consequences, possibly. So, what other imaging procedures are allowed?

                        And, I read that during pregnancy or impending pregnancy, you just turn the device off. What happens when your body is used to that and then you turn it off? Do you go through a lot of pain? I know that you can't take a great deal of medications when you're pregnant and this is definitely something we want in a couple years.

                        Also, how hard is it to find a physician who is familiar with the device to monitor you? My husband is active duty military and we expect to be moving soon...within a year to a year and a half.

                        I guess that's it for now....hopefully one of you nice ladies will be willing to PM me and talk about this. I really have read a lot and just am ambivalent or straddling the fence about what to do. ?????

                        Thanks,
                        April
                        Diagnosed in 2007, but had IC symptoms since 2002. My current regimen includes: home instillations of Marcaine, Heparin and Solu-Medrol plus vaginal valium suppositories nightly. I also use Tramadol for pain as needed.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Looks like there are still alot of questions. The pain is not to bad. My doc. was 2 hrs away. The doctor had me stay at the hosp. the night of surgery so that it could be turned on the next day. You will be sore for about a week. I want to a childrens event at my church about 3 days after surg. IT is a big deceision so look at all the details.
                          Interstitial Cystitis Stomach problems
                          diastolic dysfunction
                          vascular insufficency of left leg
                          pelvid floor disorder
                          hypothroidisim
                          asthma
                          bread cancer - 5yrsl. remission
                          swollowing difficulty
                          fatigue
                          lots of doctors
                          lots of med.














                          Keep your eyes on the Lord and he will direct your paths.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Tig dont feel alone, even with the one I got in May 2005 was still consider the "old" one and I only had 4 leads to.

                            April I can try and answer some of your questions

                            Does anyone know if/what the percentages of successes/failures are related to this? I dont think anywhere will have correct success and failure rates. You can check out Medtronic website for success and the FDA has a website that list a MAUDE watch list. This is where you can find some failures. I have one listed on this site

                            Also, what is the level of pain for the surgery and immediately afterward?
                            Pain can vary from person to person. There is some pain with the trial, but not to bad and of course there is also pain with the perm. I think maybe a week or a little less with that one.

                            We live about two and a half hours through a bumpy interstate to New Orleans and it was hard to just ride there for the appt. So, I was thinking about my husband and I getting a hotel room for the initial surgery since there is no one over here at our area hospitals that would know what to do if there was anything going wrong. Comments on riding after the initial and second stage? Since you live so far away from the hospital I would suggest for sure a hotel after the perm. But maybe not so much with the trial. That one should not be to bad. Only my opinon though. I lived a hour from my hospital and I came home from mine though.

                            He also said I would be conscious, but comfortable during the procedure. What does that mean? You are put under what is called twilight sedation. You are asleep enough not to remember what is going on or what they are doing, but you are awake enough to where they can ask you question. As to where you feel the sensation and so forth. Sometimes even with the perm implant they do this also.

                            Is pain under control while you are in the O.R.? I have always had my pain controlled in the OR. I am also sent home with pain meds and antibotics

                            The doctor also said that while the interstim is NOT used for pain, he has seen it control spasms and bladder "irregularity" with people, therefore managing pain coming from that. So, I think maybe he was honest with that. He was correct on this. I think the ones that get pain relief is from the pain people get in the bladder with it filling up and so forth. I have never had pain releif from either of mine.

                            One of the news releases I read that was a sticky said something about you not being able to have MRI's due to deadly consequences, possibly. So, what other imaging procedures are allowed? You can look on the website for others, but MRI's Diamathy and so forth.

                            And, I read that during pregnancy or impending pregnancy, you just turn the device off. What happens when your body is used to that and then you turn it off? Do you go through a lot of pain? If you turn it off usually your symptoms come back like they were pre implant. And it does need to be turned off during preg. Remember the InterStim does not cure your IC it only manages the symptoms.

                            Also, how hard is it to find a physician who is familiar with the device to monitor you? I have had this problem. I live south of Shreveport LA and when I started having problems with mine, my uro would not help me. It then took another 8 months for a doc to come to LSU hosptial who had knowledge in it. I would seriously consider this when thinking about it. You will still need to have reprogramming of the unit after you get it, even years later. This happens when the unit is not controlling your symptoms like it should. You go in to the doctor and they reprogramming the unit to help you again.
                            God grant me the serinity to withstand the days ahead!!!

                            My myspace link...
                            www.myspace.com/patricia_luvs_matt

                            Patricia

                            In Memory of My Father (Lawerence) 1/25/2007

                            Procedures:
                            Interstim Sept 2001
                            1st InterStim Removal May 2005
                            2nd Interstim Implanted May 2005
                            2nd InterStim Removed March 2007
                            Hysterectomy 1999
                            Tubes Tied 1997
                            C-Section 1996

                            Me and my kids


                            Taylor (my daughter) Me and my daughter My son Cody and Taylor

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              When I had my interstim taken out. I went over week later and saw my interstim before they sended to medtronic.

                              Deborah Bush
                              I have IC, the IBS, Heartburn, High bloodpressure,thyrod problems, depression and clorties pain.

                              Comment

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