exercise with interstim?

[CELESTRA]

Hi, I am strongly considering goint for this implant. I have read so many posts about this, and my doctor was ready last year to implant it for me...However, I wanted to try everything else first. I do have a question for those of you who have success with this device...Can you exercise with this device implanted? I don't do much, but I do power walk every ay...Would that be a problem with this device...? Thank you Celeste

[ICNJess]

I take walks (not in winter), do yoga, and stationary bike. I have had the implant, well the trial was in early Sept of 03 and the implant done early Oct of 03. I have no problems.

Good luck!
Jess

[tigger_gal]

Most diffently you can power walk when you are healed... you can return to all normal activity..
you do know that interstim is not for pain right? soor you ask but I want everyone to know.. some dr's think it is. I had my interstim implanted in April 2003.
Brat

[CELESTRA]

Thank you for your replies. Brat, I do know that it is not for pain. Basically, I have to pee constantly on a bad day. That feeling of "fullness" never goes away...I really don't have any pain besides the constant need to pee, which drives me crazy at times...I hope that the interstim will help me with that....Celeste

[ICNJess]

I don't really have that problem anymore--that gotta go all the time feeling. I know exactly what you are talking about, I ended up in the bathroom every 15 mins, sometimes every 5.

[CELESTRA]

Brat, thank you for reminding me that this is not for pain. I know that there is a lot of debating going on about this implant, and that you want to be caustious, and be sure that we know going into this what it will or will not do for us. I appreciate all the time and energy you and other moderators put into this support line... We are all indebted to you. Thank you, Celeste

[tigger_gal]

you are very very welcome
Sacral Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Urge Incontinence and Overactive Bladder Syndrome

While a number of therapies are available to treat the various types of urinary incontinence, many are cumbersome, embarrassing or invasive. When patients can opt for a non-surgical alternative that has a good chance of resolving the incontinence problem, the news is exciting.

Sacral nerve stimulation—also known as sacral neuromodulation therapy—is a simple treatment in which mild electrical impulses stimulate the nerves in the patient's lower back. The stimulation either activates or inhibits the muscles of the pelvic floor, sphincter or bladder, depending on the intended effect. In a nutshell, the device is similar to a pacemaker, except that it stimulates nerves in the lower back instead of the heart.

The patient uses the method for about a week to determine whether a permanent implant is likely to be effective. The treatment is performed on an outpatient basis, and because the initial trial is completely reversible if the effect is not positive, no damage is done. If the response is good, a permanent device is implanted.

Who Can Benefit From Sacral Nerve Stimulation?

Patients whose systems don't respond to simpler procedures are good candidates for this therapy. In general, people who suffer from overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms exhibit the following:

urge incontinence, in which urine is lost when the person cannot get to the bathroom in time to urinate
urgency, which is characterized by a strong and frequent desire to urinate
frequency, which usually entails voiding very small amounts more than eight times in a 24-hour period
urinary retention, which is the inability to completely empty the bladder.

Is It Safe and Effective?

InterStim®, by Medtronic, Inc., was approved by the FDA in 1999 after extensive clinical trials proved its effectiveness and safety. A number of studies have replicated the research and have found significant positive results in the majority of subjects who had the various types of incontinence listed above.

[Peggy Anne]

I was told that you can't take a shower or bath during the trial period, is this true? Also I dont wear pants with belts or belt hoops and I have mostly short tops, is the temp one very noticable? Not a major issue, I was just wondering what to expect. I have so many questions,I've asked my doctor to see if one of her patients will talk to me about it but she hasn't gotten back to me yet. If anyone that visits this site sees Dr. Laurie Larsen in Las Vegas, NV, and has the interstim, can you please email me? Thanks!!

[ICNJess]

Hi Peggy,

They say that you can shower...BUT...you cannot get the wires wet by any means. So sponge baths are easier. You can just hook the unit onto the waist of your pants, and it is a noticable unit, especially since it has a wire hooked into it lol.

Good luck!
Jess

[Zipper]

You can shower!! Don't worry. Those wires can get wet. I just did my interstim and could shower after 24 hours. Just unplug the box and take a normal shower. I made mine a bit more brief than usual and no baths or soaking in water. But, you certainly can shower. It's not unsafe at all---ask your medtronic rep. if you're still concerned.

[Zipper]

Oh yah--and a P.S. about exercising. I'd take it easy, but I teach Pilates and was back teaching a week after the first surgery. This surgery will put me out for a bit longer, but I think anything is safe as long as you're not yanking on the wires. For us with IC/Fibro etc. it's important to at least do something. So, sit on the floor and do leg lifts or lay down and raise and lower your arms. That stuff is getting your circulation going, but not disturbing the wires. Even breathing exercises/meditation can really help.

[Peggy Anne]

Thank you for your responses, it sounds a little silly to be worried about showering and exercising but IC keeps "running" my life and I don't want to give it more control than it already has - I love the little exercise I do get and would hate to give it up!

[ICNJess]

Don't worry about it, Peggy. I know I was concerned about the shower part too, I love my showers, I feel dirty otherwise. I haven't heard that you could shower, both my doctor and the medtronics rep advised against getting the wire wet.

[tigger_gal]

Hi there sorry I missed your post, excersing should be fine after your recovery period.. When you take a shower make if brief and don't get the wires wet. If I understood right water can seep in and short them out then when you have the implant it may not last the 7 to 10 years.. This is what my dr told me when i shower face the don't let the water run down my back side, and do not get the wires wet.
Brat

[peiti]

Here is my experience with the InterStim trial and permenant implant. I was asked not to take a shower during the 7-day staged trial. Besides, I didn't take the shower until 5 days (I forgot the exact days) after my second sugery. Anyway, it was about 2 weeks for me without taking a shower. During the period of time, I used wet towel to clean myself. I know it sounds incredible, but I guess both my dr and the rep didn't want me to get wet on the wires or get infected at the incision site. I had my implant in winter so I was ok without a taking a shower.

I went to the beauty salon to have my hair washed. Never did that before. Felt quite good.