Should I or Should not

[Oceana]

I have been to the pain clinic & was informed of this new device. I like to know if someone can tell me if this helps at night ,as far as sleep goes. I get up from 5-12x at night inspite of tranquilizers. I do have frequency during the day when I have a flare up ,urgency is almost unbearable.How big is the device,is it possible to uninstall it if that does not work? I have so many surgeries already & I don't want any more invasive procedures if possible. Sure i am not in a rush to make such a decision. Somebody who is willing to share their success on this device is very much appreciated.

[Teri]

The interstim device is NOT, and I repeat, NOT intended to help with your pain so if that's the reason you are thinking of having this surgery, keep looking for another way to handle your pain. On this one, don't believe your dr's b.s. BUT, if you are as sick as I was of living my life with my fanny stuck to a toilet seat, it's worth doing the trial for. I always said that if I could just have the pain and not have to pee every 20 minutes I could handle it better and I can!
Please read the archives....there has been alot of both good and bad posted on the device. Ask you dr how many he's done. Ask how often you will have someone available to you to do an adjustment if you need one done. AND, make sure that if you decide you want it taken out, he/she will take it out.
Read the guide lines that Jill has listed. And, listen to your gut. If it's telling you don't do it, than don't. Wait until you get permission. I've found my gut to be alot smarter than I am [img]wink.gif[/img]

tons and tons of gentle hugs~
and withing you the very very best <img src="graemlins/grouphug.gif" border="0" alt="[grouphug]" />

[chantal nicole]

I agree with Teri 100%. Interstim is not for pain. I have the interstim and it's working great for my frequency but I still have pain. However, the pain minus the frequency is a lot easier to deal with as I'm coping and functionning better overall to start with. Do your homework, make sure you have a highly experienced doctor as this is not a procedure that just any uro can do. Good luck with your decision and if you have any questions you think i could answer from experience, ask away.

[chantal nicole]

I forgot, this is usually a treatment used for people who have tried many different treatments without success. If you haven't tried many other treatments, you should consider stating with less invasive stuff first. Although it doesn't help some people, I've had some success with Trazodone for frequency at night. Good luck with your decision.

[Oceana]

I am very grateful to all your advice. I learned from my previous uninformed decision that I will not ask for any surgery again if it is not a last resort.I lost my uterus & ovaries not knowing that all my pains are rooted with IC.Nothing changed.Yes I do haeard a lot both pros & cons almost equal & I am afraid to make a decision. Both pain & frequency is my problem & sleep deprivation makes me very susceptible to all sort of kinds of diseases.I have also sensitivities to any allergens. I was tested for environmental irritants last July & on my second visit to the allergist's office they have to give me benadryl before they discharge me becoz of the extreme reactions I get from the testing.Allergist said I have to wear mask when I am outside. I have IC for about 10 years.It starts after one UTI.I have tried almost everything out in the market.I have a hard time with pain.Very very low pain threshold.This pain in my left side of my stomach pushed me to go back to the pain clinic lately otherwise I resolve IC with acceptance.I give up myself from any doctor's advice.Any kind of diett since I have also aN IBS,my diet is already restricted but it does not make any difference. I am looking of sumthing that would help my sleep.I am up evry half an hour for the last year at night inspite of double dose of Ambien 10mg & clonazepam.
I take Ultram for pain but during flares nothing alleviates but heating pad.
I am grateful to all your replies...I will keep my eyes wide open before I will go for that TENS.
I wished one day that this disease will jsut go away, even it is a wishful thinking.
My gratitude of taking time to reply to my post.Thank you so very much.

Li

[deborah b.]

Oceana there is a device out there that is used for pain. I have a friend in Fl that has that device in. It is put in by Neurosugeon. You can e-mail me and I will give you her phone no. and you can talk with her. [email protected] <img src="graemlins/hi.gif" border="0" alt="[hi]" />

[Katamarana]

I have an interstim unit going on a year now. I often have times that it does not relieve the urgency and frequency. But it reduces my pain by 80 percent or more. Anytime I have had to turn it off for any reason, that becomes apparanent as the pain comes back full force. I still have pain. But not the pain I had before. The interstim has kept me in the job force. Before it, I would have to stay home a lot due to pain. There is still a tremendous amount of management with it. Diet, exercise, rest.... I am just so surprised to hear that you feel it is not supposed to relieve any pain.

[jd]

My interstim is working beautiful. Instead of going to the bathroom 30 to 45 times a day and getting up 4 to 7 times a nite, I am only going to the bathroom once a nite and in a 24 hour period 8 to 9 times a day. It has also helped with my IC pain. I know that the interstim is only approved for the incontenence and not for pain. But since I have had the interstim implanted, My Ic pain has all but disappearred. I too notice that when I turn off my Interstim the pain is back full force and when I turn it back on the pain is gone.

you have to make your own choice on whether or not you want to try the interstim trial. Do alot of research and weigh the pro and cons and make your own decision about the interstim and what is best for you.

[deborah b.]

JD I am so happy that your interstim is working for you. <img src="graemlins/kissing.gif" border="0" alt="[kissing]" />