Thanks Debbie!

[DanaG]

Thanks for reassuring me that the surgery is not too bad. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain and such, so I'm anticipating it not to be that bad. I think I'm more concerned with living with the unit than the actual surgery. I spoke to one woman on the phone who had the implant and she said that she can trace the unit with her finger. Can you feel it that closely? I'm just really hoping and praying that this unit not only works, but that I eventually get to a point in time when I don't even notice it's there. Do you feel the vibration/stimulation at first and then just get used to it? I know people have said they could feel it, but then others say you don't even know it's there, so I assume you just get used to it. Like with the trial, I had to keep turning it up to make sure it was on because I got used to the stimulation. Is that what it's like? Some of the people on the board get me nervous because they had bad experiences. I'm trying to work off of your experience and hope that mine is just as good.
Thanks so much for your help and optimism. I sure hope by the time you get back on the 26th that I'm doing well (although that is probably the day I'll get turned on since they're closed on the 25th - you get turned on a few days after surgery right?)

Have a very happy holiday and thanks again for your help!

Dana

[Ruth N]

I had my implant a few days after Debbie and want to assure you that as far as surgeries go it is pretty well tolerated. Just achy and sore afterwards. And yes, you do get used to the stimulation just like with the test but as long as symptom wise it is working there is no need to crank it up so high that it is annoying just to know it is there.

Personally ,I found the test stimulation pain much worse than any pain from the surgery but it is surgery and anesthesia so you will be tired and sore and need to rest. I would have this surgery every year if I needed to. It would be worth it for me. It cut my frequency in half and enabled me to sleep through the night. And I know it is the interstim that is doing its job and not just a remission. How do I know this-because when I had 2 other unrelated surgeries since the implant I had to turn off the stimulator for the surgery. And let me tell you, as soon as I woke I had to pee and pee. Even when I had a hysterectomy and was still catheterized I had such a terribly strong urge to pee. As soon as I got out of recovery and could turn the stimulator back on the urge went away.
Do not get frustrated if it takes awhile to get the adjustments right. The first 4 months I had frequent tuneups and was frustrated because initially my results were not as good as with the test stim.. But by 4 months I was better than ever-even better than with the test stim.

I will keep you in my thoughts and look forward to welcoming you to our bionic club.

[DebbieB]

Dana, you are welcome..
Ruth my bionic twin, has told you so well, thanks Ruth!!
I would have to agreed with Ruth, I found the trial more painful then the real Implant itself..
You will feel the stimulation at first and then after a month you will not even know it is there.
I only able to feel,where my Implant was after a year are having it in,it does not hurt at all.
I don't even know it is there now ..
You will not have to keep turning it up,only the first month you will have some adjustment to be done,that is all done in the doctor office with your clothes on and he uses his computer and does it for you..
I have my finger crossed that the InterStim Implant will give you great results and you will get the wonderful results as Ruth and I have with the InterSitm Implant..
I had my Implant turned on the next day after my surgery.
I will posted you as soon as I get back on the December 26 for sure Dana..
I wish you all the best Dana,and remember I will be thinking of you on Friday ok..
Take care ,cause I care..
Dana,you soon will be a new bionic sister, my, our bionic club is growing so big!!

Lots of Hugs: Debbie

[dedeash]

Good luck with surgery Dana
I am having surgery on Jan 3rd...so right behind you. With me the worse part of surgery was the general anesthesia....I felt sick afterwards.....I am told you can ask for something from the anesthesiologist prior to going in, and it will help. I wish I had known...this would be a good thing to mention. If they can put something in your IV that will control the nausea...they should.

I had my surgery five months ago...and was kind of a problem child for the implant but slowly I am getting less sore. I can feel my implant, but it does not stick out at all...and I did get used to the sensations after a while and forget its there.

For me the worse part was the recuperating from the surgery...(I seem to be the one who had a hard time) but as far as the implant and problems associated with it...theft detectors or anything like that....no problems. It is a piece of cake. The programming is so easy too, after you get turned on...dont even have to take your clothes off for that. FOr me they turned me on one week after surgery,...each doctor sets his/her own time frame. They just want you to feel well enough to have it done...I would not have wanted to go in sooner than 7 days...too sore, and did not want any extra stimulation in the areas.
Good luck, I am sure you will do fine

Keep us posted
Dede

[sue041]

Originally posted by DebbieB:
Dana, you are welcome..
Ruth my bionic twin, has told you so well, thanks Ruth!!
I would have to agreed with Ruth, I found the trial more painful then the real Implant itself..
You will feel the stimulation at first and then after a month you will not even know it is there.
I only able to feel,where my Implant was after a year are having it in,it does not hurt at all.
I don't even know it is there now ..
You will not have to keep turning it up,only the first month you will have some adjustment to be done,that is all done in the doctor office with your clothes on and he uses his computer and does it for you..
I have my finger crossed that the InterStim Implant will give you great results and you will get the wonderful results as Ruth and I have with the InterSitm Implant..
I had my Implant turned on the next day after my surgery.
I will posted you as soon as I get back on the December 26 for sure Dana..
I wish you all the best Dana,and remember I will be thinking of you on Friday ok..
Take care ,cause I care..
Dana,you soon will be a new bionic sister, my, our bionic club is growing so big!!

Lots of Hugs: Debbie

HiDebbie, glad you are doing so great, I am confused, did you have the scs spinal cord stimulator or the interstem.? Do you know of anyone that has the scs and does it take away all the pain,or is it just used for frequency and bladder control.Thank You all for all the help, I read the reports every day I am having a trial spinal cord stimulator this week, it is in and out surgery, and it is a 2 hour drive one way, sure hope I do not get sick. Thanks again Sue

[DebbieB]

Hi Sue:
I had the InterStim Implant done Sue ..
I don't know what you mean by the scs spinal cord stimulator..
The InterStim is done in the spinal cord area , I had it done in the sacral S2 nerve area it where my lead wire was placed..
You can read all about the InterStim at the web site, www.medtronic.com and maybe you will see the one you are asking about ok Sue..
The InterStim is not for pain, it is only for frequency and urgency ok...
Good luck on your trial , I will thinking of you .
I had the same kind of distance to go for my trial a two hour drive, not so fun, but I did better then I thought I would ..
Keep me posted on how you are doing ok and if the trial is helping you ok Sue..

Hugs: Debbie