Interstim Therapy

[IC11102000]

For all of those who had the

[IC11102000]

Accidently hit the wrong bottom. [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

For those who had the Interstim done. Do you need to watch your diet? My main problems are frequency and sometimes urgency, I like to know if the Interstim has help you. What problems have you experienced, would you recommend it?
Please share your good/bad experience.
Thanks.
May

[Maureen]

I have had the interstim for 18 months. Yes I still must watch my diet. I still take pain killers when I need them and I take elavil nightly (for my fibro). I have a Rx for detrol for when I have spasms. It has helped my bladder capacity. I have gone from holding 35 ml to 80-120 ml.

[kgmkq]

Yes, the Interstim has helped tremendously!! I had it done in Sept. 02, had some challenges with the programming, but it is great now! I was getting up 8-10 times per night to urinate; now only 1-2 times! I finally am not exhausted! I still use Detrol LA once a day. Neither the interstim or the Detrol worked alone, but it is great together! When you have it done, stay open to different ideas & stay POSITIVE!! Expect the best & it will happen! You deserve it! <img src="graemlins/hi.gif" border="0" alt="[hi]" />
Kathy

[Teri]

If you are having the surgery done for urgency and/or frequency....go for it [img]wink.gif[/img] It's not an easy trip getting to the right spot but with time, you can get there.

wishing you the very very best~

[IC11102000]

Thanks everyone for your feedbacks.
Although there are both good and bad sides to the Interstim Therapy, I would like to try the test one to see if it will help my symptoms. I am doing the voiding diary now and will talk to my Urologist on Friday. Based on the voiding diary, i am not sure if my symptom is severe enough for the Interstim Therapy, i mean the longest i go without using the bathroom is almost 2 hours, i was driving in a car.
<img src="graemlins/blah.gif" border="0" alt="[blah]" />
I don't know what i would do if the doctor told me that the interstim therapy is not for me, i mean i am sick and tired of getting up all night to use the bathroom <img src="graemlins/toilet.gif" border="0" alt="[toilet]" /> it just make my depression worst and at times i would sit on the toilet and wish i can just die rather than suffer this <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[cussing]" /> IC crap. Yet no one aroung me seem to understand how frustrated this has been for me <img src="graemlins/banghead.gif" border="0" alt="[banghead]" />
Sorry for being so negitive, but I very much want to get a good night's rest once for all.

[deborah b.]

I would go for it espcially for your simptons. I have my interstim in since April,2001 and had a revision done in Aug. 2001. My was working 50% up to last Aug. I was starting to have problems with cramping in my feet, legs, and toes plus tingley in my feet. So i have decided to have it taken out. Make sure when you have it implanted that it takes about 6 weeks recover time and you have to watch the why you bend because the lead can move on you. You can call Medtronic and talk with paitent services with any questions you have. There no. is 1-800-328-0810 I would go for it and good luck. Deborah

[DebbieB]

Well I have had my InterStim Implant for well over three and half years !!
I would say it was the best thing I ever did for myself!!
I have been through all kinds of treatments and medications, you name it I did it all!
This was my very last resort and boy am ever happy I did it to!!!

There is always good and bad things to any kind of treatment you do!!

I thought to myself what did I have to loose to try doing the InterStim trial , that is the only way you are going to know if the InterStim Implant will help you to!!!
I also have pelvic floor dysfunction and the InterStim sure did help it for sure!!

The only thing I would say if you have alot of stress that will effect it big time for sure!!

I wish you all the best and only you can be the one to decide to do it as well!!
If you would like to PM me any time I would be more then happy to answer any of your questions and just be there for you for support ok!!!

Also to let you know there are alot of us ones with wonderful success with the InterStim Implant!!

All the best to you!!

CICRCAdmin. Debbie

[Peggy Anne]

My Doctor wants me to try this but I am having a lot of reservations. My choices are either the interstim or BCG. I am pretty tired of medicines and their side effects so Im leaning torward the interstim. Can anyone tell me if you can see any protrusion under the skin where the device is placed? It sounds like they put it under the skin so it seems like it would bulge out. Also, I was reading about the procedure and it sounded like you can't take a shower for a week during the trial? That kind of got my attention [img]rolleyes.gif[/img] Any info would be so appreciated, I am really nervous about this!

[Susan2]

Hi Peggy Ann,
The best thing I have done for myself, was to go way back into the archives on this subject, keep an open mind, weigh the pro's and con's and start reading. My dr., also wants me to have this done.
From the help of some of the ladies, I have ALMOST decided I'm going to have the trial done.
You will get so much info., from the archives.
I hope I have helped you in some little way.
God Bless you,and Hugs
Susan

[maryfair]

Susan, my doctor has suggested a trial for InterStim. I am trying to gather information on it and have been reading on this board. Could you tell me how to access the archives on this topic?