Here is my list of questions concerning the InterStim:
(It is a growing list as I think of additional ? I will post them)
What is your experience with this procedure? How many have you done? What are the complications you run into most often? How many pregnancies have you followed after the implant? What is your philosophy on when to do it and remove it?
What are the most frequent problems?
How long will I need to restrict my activities? What activities should I avoid after each stage?
Will I be able to strength train and do arobic exercise?
What type tests do I need to know about? Can I have an ultrasound?
How common is it to have to do revissions? What is the extent of most revisions?
How will pregnancy effect the leads and implant? What precautions do I need to take when I get ready to start trying and then when I get pregnant?
Will you be suturing my lead wires to my spine? Why or Why not?
Some people have reported that their implant stim wasn't as effective as the trial. How often does this happen? What can be done to increase the effectiveness?
In the worst case and best case scenerio how long will recovery take? What will be the most difficult part of recovery? Will their be swelling and if so where and how long?
How often have you had to remove the interstim? In those cases did the patient request this? Of those removed, how many had another generator or lead implanted to replace the old one?
What can I do to increase the benefits possible with the device?
What can I do to have the least amount of recovery time with the maximum benefit.
What happens if I experience additional pain that doesn't go away after the incisions heal? What are my options at that point and what would you suggest for treatment?
A medronic phone councelor mentioned that some people have difficulty getting the leads removed because of the scar tissue that grows around it. In fact, she said that some dr. believe that it would be more dangerous to take it out than to leave it in. What has your experience been with this issue?
I have been told to avoid hot tubs over 101 degrees. What other things do I need to avoid or be careful with.
I hope that this list will be helpful for those of you contemplating the InterStim. I am going through with this procedure but I'm informed of all the possible risks and I will continue to gather information from many resources. My rep says that I have asked questions that 99% of patients never think of. I feel that being proactive about our treatment is essential in getting good care. If a dr. is threatened by your questions run as far as you can because a good care giver will encourage patients to inquire.
Rachel
(It is a growing list as I think of additional ? I will post them)
What is your experience with this procedure? How many have you done? What are the complications you run into most often? How many pregnancies have you followed after the implant? What is your philosophy on when to do it and remove it?
What are the most frequent problems?
How long will I need to restrict my activities? What activities should I avoid after each stage?
Will I be able to strength train and do arobic exercise?
What type tests do I need to know about? Can I have an ultrasound?
How common is it to have to do revissions? What is the extent of most revisions?
How will pregnancy effect the leads and implant? What precautions do I need to take when I get ready to start trying and then when I get pregnant?
Will you be suturing my lead wires to my spine? Why or Why not?
Some people have reported that their implant stim wasn't as effective as the trial. How often does this happen? What can be done to increase the effectiveness?
In the worst case and best case scenerio how long will recovery take? What will be the most difficult part of recovery? Will their be swelling and if so where and how long?
How often have you had to remove the interstim? In those cases did the patient request this? Of those removed, how many had another generator or lead implanted to replace the old one?
What can I do to increase the benefits possible with the device?
What can I do to have the least amount of recovery time with the maximum benefit.
What happens if I experience additional pain that doesn't go away after the incisions heal? What are my options at that point and what would you suggest for treatment?
A medronic phone councelor mentioned that some people have difficulty getting the leads removed because of the scar tissue that grows around it. In fact, she said that some dr. believe that it would be more dangerous to take it out than to leave it in. What has your experience been with this issue?
I have been told to avoid hot tubs over 101 degrees. What other things do I need to avoid or be careful with.
I hope that this list will be helpful for those of you contemplating the InterStim. I am going through with this procedure but I'm informed of all the possible risks and I will continue to gather information from many resources. My rep says that I have asked questions that 99% of patients never think of. I feel that being proactive about our treatment is essential in getting good care. If a dr. is threatened by your questions run as far as you can because a good care giver will encourage patients to inquire.
Rachel
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