Insterstim is Wonderful!!!

[Kara23]

Hi fellow Interstimers,


I wanted to report some more good news with my Interstim. I ACTUALLY WENT DANCING!!!!!!
I can't even believe it! I went out on Saturday and danced my heart out! I have VERY SEVERE IC so this is truely AMAZING!!!! I was never able to do this before the Intetstim. I had to pee a lot b/c I was drinking but that is normal. The Interstim helps that horrible pain I had whenever I tried to move. I was able to dance for 2 hours. I still have yet to see a movie. I'm thinking of doing it this weekend! It's still a miracle. I'm going to hate going off of it, if and when I decide to have children. My life is so much easier to live now. I just hope the machine keeps on ticking and doesn't break or move or do something bad. But for now, I'm trying to be happy with each good day the Interstim brings me.

Kara

[SueP1]

Wow, you can drink, too? My husband was having pina coladas while I was having bottled water on our cruise!

[oneillii]

Kara that is so AWESOME! You go girl! I'm just delighted for you...

Susan

[DebbieB]

Hi Kara:
I know how you feel about the InterStim..
I am blessed each and every day of my life with it for sure !!!

I have my life back again and almost able to do anything now after my little problem breaking my lead wire...
I am back and running as good as new too..

Just so happy for you Kara !!!
You go girl and enjoy yourself too..

Hugs: Debbie

[lLinda]

recent interstim stories

I am reading lots of stuff about interstim, but it all is years old. My doctor is considering it for me, but I am leary after reading all the negatives here. Has anyone had any recent (2006) experiences with interstim? thanks, folks.

[marsi4]

Kara you say that it helpes you with the pqin when you have to move. Did you only have pain when you moved I don't understand. You say you have severe ic , did you also have severe constant pain which the Interstim has helped. From what I have read it doesn't help with pain only frequency. I'm glad though thayt you are doing better. I hqve a lot of pain and my doctor recommended it but I,m reluctant to have it done since frequency is not really a problem when I,m not in a flare.

Marsi4

[tigger_gal]

Marsi4
I think Kara is talking about that horrible urge pain. I had that it just stopped me in my tracks.. IT didn't help the reg bladder and flair pain tho..

If your doctor wants you to get the interstim for pain, put on your running shoes and get away from him.. It is only for frequency and urgency, and some rentention.

[Sarojini]

That is AWESOME. :woohoo:

I just got my trial stimulator put in yesterday, and already I too am seeing a difference. A big one. I SLEPT 9 HOURS STRAIGHT LAST NIGHT WITHOUT GETTING UP TO PEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :woohoo:

[GriffsMommy]

That is awesome Jen :woohoo: So happy for you!

[tigger_gal]

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Bessie]

:woohoo: That is wonderful :woohoo:

[Kellygreen]

9 whole hours?!?!?!?!? WOW that would be like heaven!!!

[Bdelaune]

YOu asked if anyone had good stories to report about interstim. I have had one for almost 4 years, and it is wonderful. I can go to the mall and not plan my shopping around where the bathrooms are located. And, i only get up once a night now! I tried all the regular treatments (meds, Elmiron, DMSO) with no improvement. The interstim has helped significantly with frequency. In fact, i can now "hold it" sometimes like other people do! While it is not intended to help with pain, i do find that my "flare ups" are reduced. If i drink or eat bad things (tea, coffee, citris, red sauce, etc), i still have to go a lot more. I just monitor my food like i did before, but its not the end of the world now if i have something bad. Before, i could not have a glass of iced tea unless i planned to sit at home the rest of the night.

I had great results with the Interstim. My only problem was the battery life. It was supposed to last 5-7 years, but i had to have it replaced after two years. I think my new battery is supposed to last longer, and they changed the position of the lead. Fingers crossed it lasts longer!

Despite the battery problem, i am thrilled with my decision to try the stimulator. Even if i had to change the battery every 2 years, it would be worth it.

Good luck, and i wish you all the best.

[patricia1]

Bdelaune I see you live in Louisiana. I do to and I also have the Stim. In what city did you have yours done. I think the battery life depends on so much different things. Like if you have it set where the unit is on all day 24 hours, or if it is set to cycle, like so many minutes on then off for so long. And then again maybe you just had a bad battery. With all the problems with my units (i have had 2) I never had battery problems.

I am happy for you that yours is working so well

And to JEN all I can say is :woohoo: :woohoo: I know you were hoping for such great results and I know the perm will go the same way

[Bdelaune]

Patricia1, i had my surgery done in New Orleans by Dr. McSherry at Memorial. In fact, my battery replacement was done about 3 months before the hurricane destroyed Memorial! What about you?